Hidden Heart Risk Factor
A primary cardiac risk factor, the CDC estimates 70-million Americans have high blood pressure. That’s more than the combined population of California, Texas and Arizona. As common as it is, many people don’t recognize the seriousness.
“Hypertension is often known as the silent killer because most patients have no symptoms at all,” says Dr. Gary Goforth, a family practice physician with Lee Memorial Health System.
Only half of people, or 52%, keep their hypertension properly controlled in spite of the fact it may contribute to a heart attack. One in three Americans are on the verge of getting the diagnosis.
“True hypertension is when the blood pressure is consistently 140/90. There’s a term called pre-hypertension when the systolic pressure, the high number is between 121 and 139 and when the diastolic pressure, the lower number, is between 80 and 89,” says Dr. Goforth.
A top risk factor for heart disease along with high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family history and age . . . simply speaking, high blood pressure indicates the heart is working extra hard to pump blood.
“It’s normal for blood pressure to go up when you’re stressed or you’re exercising. If it didn’t go up that would be a problem because blood pressure is needed to perfuse the organs. But when it’s persistently elevated at that level then it puts you at risk,” says Dr. Goforth.
With proper diet and exercise, many people are able to get a handle on their hypertension. It may require medical management. With your doctor’s help you can easily uncover this hidden health risk.
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Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.
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