Most encounters you have with a health care professional involve getting your blood pressure checked. This is because high blood pressure is a silent disease, one that may not have any symptoms for months or even years, and needs to be checked regularly. According to the American Heart Association, about one in three U.S. adults have high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of these people don’t know they have it.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the force applied against the wall of the arteries as the heart pumps. Every organ and body system is therefore affected by high blood pressure and it is important to have it monitored regularly. Untreated hypertension can lead to a variety of serious conditions including stroke, kidney failure, heart attack, and blindness.

Signs and symptoms of high blood pressure vary but can include: headaches (especially upon waking and in the back of the head), dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, and fatigue. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, consult a physician.

Those at risk for high blood pressure include older people, African Americans, people who are overweight or obese, people who eat too much salt, drink too much alcohol, smoke and don’t exercise. To help lower your high blood pressure, doctors recommend lowering sodium intake, staying on a low-fat diet, exercising, quitting smoking and taking medication prescribed by your doctor.

Crozer-Keystone Health System holds blood pressure screenings every week at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Taylor Hospital and Springfield Hospital. For a schedule of upcoming screenings throughout the health system, please visit our calendar of events.

For more information about senior health services at Crozer-Keystone Health System, call 1-800-CKHS-KEY (1-800-254-7539) or visit http://srhealthservices.crozer.org.