Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) increases your risk for heart disease by narrowing and damaging the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Fortunately, up to 80% of heart disease is preventable, and there are many things people can do to reduce their risk.
The university offers a number of programs that can help you raise your awareness and reduce your risk of hypertension and heart disease:
Dr. Preeti Malani, Special Advisor on Health to the President at U-M, shares some tips to help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.
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Think you know the truth about hypertension and heart disease? Take the short Heart Health Challenge and test your knowledge!
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At the Michigan Medicine Frankel Cardiovascular Center, every month is Heart Month. But during February, they take time to raise awareness about preventing the leading cause of death for both men and women.
Visit FCVC Heart Month webpage
U-M Health experts, including cardiologists Monica Colvin, M.D. and Eric Brandt, M.D., and addiction expert and psychiatrist, Jonathan Morrow, M.D., Ph.D., answer questions about how the use of cannabis or alcohol relates to cardiovascular disease.
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Heart disease risk rises for everyone as they age, but for women, the years leading up to and after menopause are a critical time to care for their health. View this infographic from the American Heart Association to learn more.
View the infographicReduce your risk of hypertension and heart disease with these six tips. Select the panel to get more information and find university programs and resources.
Knowing your blood pressure numbers and whether you're at risk are important. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly half of adults (48.1%, 119.9 million) have hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg or are taking medication for hypertension. About 1 in 4 adults with hypertension (22.5%, 27 million) have their hypertension under control.
The top number (systolic pressure) measures how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic pressure) measures how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart is resting between beats. Having either number elevated can lead to a diagnosis of high blood pressure.
Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg are considered within the normal range. Hypertension Stage 1 is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic. According to recent studies, the risk of death from heart disease and stroke doubles with every 20 mm Hg systolic increase or 10 mm Hg diastolic increase among people from age 40 to 89.
Resources available:
Experts recommend striving for at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) each week of physical activity. That works out to about 30 minutes most days of the week. There are flexible ways to break it into amounts of daily activity, and even small amounts add up and can have lasting heart health benefits.
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Research suggests that an emotionally upsetting event – particularly one involving anger – can trigger high blood pressure, heart attack, angina and other cardiovascular risks. Some of the ways people cope with stress – drinking alcohol, abusing other substances, smoking, or overeating – can also put you at risk.
Programs and resources available:
Eating healthier can help to reduce our risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, which can raise your risk of heart disease and heart attack.
Too much sodium may cause your body to hold on to extra water, which can raise blood pressure and force your heart and kidneys to work harder. Consuming less than 2,200 milligrams daily is advised.
Programs and resources available:
The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm your blood cells. They also can damage the function of your heart and the structure and function of your blood vessels. No matter how long you've used tobacco, quitting will reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Programs and resources available:
Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. If you drink alcohol, limit your consumption to no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. A drink is one 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits. Note: MHealthy experts do not endorse daily alcohol use.
Programs and resources available: