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What to do after being diagnosed with high blood pressure

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Hypertension, a condition marked by abnormally high blood pressure, is more common than many people may recognize. A 2021 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicated that nearly half of adults in the United States, or roughly 116 million people, have hypertension. And hypertension isn’t exclusive to Americans, as the World Health Organization notes that the number of people living with the condition has doubled to 1.28 billion since 1990.
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Connecting those with heart defects to needed care

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(StatePoint) Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defects and doctors and affected families can help ensure that individuals with CHDs receive lifelong congenital cardiac care to stay healthy. In 2010, it was estimated that approximately 1 million children and 1.4 million adults were living with a CHD in the United States. However, about 60% of individuals with CHDs don’t see a congenital cardiology specialist after age 18 for follow-up.

Early warning signs for heart disease

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Cardiovascular disease claims more lives across the globe every year than any other disease or condition, and many of those fatalities are credited to heart disease. Though the terms “cardiovascular disease” and “heart disease” are often used interchangeably, the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute notes that, while all heart diseases are cardiovascular diseases, not all cardiovascular diseases are heart diseases. This is an important distinction, especially as adults discuss heart and cardiovascular health with their physicians.

Did you know?

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High cholesterol levels are often associated with adulthood. However, children also may experience high cholesterol, which can affect their long-term health. Pediatric high cholesterol, like its adult counterpart, refers to high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), also known as “bad” cholesterol. Elevated LDL can lead to fatty deposits that cause hardening of the arteries. Complications such as heart attack, stroke and early severe diseases are possible, according to Children’s Health. John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital warns that heart disease has its roots in childhood. Therefore, it is important to be aware of children’s cholesterol levels, as high levels can increase kids’ chances of heart disease and stroke as adults. Childhood obesity, eating a diet high in trans fat and saturated fat, and having a parent or close family member with high cholesterol are risk factors for children. A pediatrician can be consulted and a lipid profile prescribed to check cholesterol levels. Lipid profiles are recommended between ages nine and 11, and again between ages 17 and 21.
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Take control

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• High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain, increasing the chances of clots or ruptures. If a clot or rupture interferes with the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain, a stroke can occur.