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Cardiovascular disease (heart disease) is the leading cause of death in North Dakota and the United States; however, it is largely preventable.
Know Your Numbers
Approximately 30% of North Dakota adults have high blood pressure, a key risk factor for heart disease and other serious health complications. Know your blood pressure numbers and visit with your health care provider about healthy lifestyle changes to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Risk Factors
High blood pressure (hypertension) can be influenced by various risk factors, which can be inherited (not modifiable) or modifiable.
- Family History: If close relatives have high blood pressure, you are at greater risk.
- Age: As you age, blood vessels lose elasticity, raising the risk of high blood pressure.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure before age 65, but women are at higher risk after 65.
- Chronic Kidney Disease: Kidney problems can either cause or result from high blood pressure.
- Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps prevent high blood pressure.
- Diet: A diet high in sodium, fats, and sugar increases risk. Eating healthier can lower blood pressure.
- Weight: Being overweight adds strain on the heart, increasing the risk.
- Alcohol: Excessive drinking can raise blood pressure and lead to other health issues.
- Cholesterol and Diabetes: High cholesterol and diabetes often accompany high blood pressure.
- Smoking: Tobacco use temporarily raises blood pressure and damages arteries.
- Stress: Chronic stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors that raise blood pressure.
Understanding these factors can guide prevention and management strategies for high blood pressure. For more information, visit https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/know-your-risk-factors-for-high-blood-pressure
Healthy Choices
High blood pressure is largely preventable through healthy lifestyle choices.
Ways to stay healthy:
- Eat Healthy: Focus on fruits, vegetables, and low-fat, low-sodium foods.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Keep your BMI in a healthy range.
- Exercise: Get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days.
- Don’t Smoke: Avoid smoking or quit to lower your risk.
- Limit Alcohol: Drink in moderation—no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women.
- Live Healthy: Make simple, healthy habits part of your daily routine.
By adopting these healthy behaviors, you can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Learn more about a healthy diet for heart health by visiting https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702
National Data Source
American Heart Association - the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, has resources, videos and statistics to better understand high blood pressure.
CDC Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention has a variety of heart disease facts and statistics.