High blood pressure is out of control for too many Americans

From Bullhook Community Health Center

High blood pressure is a nationwide concern and a costly health problem. Nearly one in three Americans — almost 67 million adults — has high blood pressure, and half of them do not have it under control. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major contributor to heart disease and stroke. In Montana, the percentage of adults reporting high blood pressure has increased steadily since 1995.

The majority of people with uncontrolled high blood pressure are being treated with medicine yet their condition is not under control.

Montana’s community pharmacies are helping to address this health issue by participating in a Team Up. Pressure Down. statewide initiative. Selected Montana pharmacies, including Bullhook Community Health Center Pharmacy are partnering with their patients who are on blood pressure lowering medication to help ensure that they are taking their medications as prescribed. Project participants receive blood pressure resources and counseling from a pharmacist. Raising blood pressure awareness and improving medication adherence may help enhance blood pressure control levels.

“Bullhook Community Health Center has knowledgeable qualified pharmacists who care about patients’ health,” said Bullhook Pharmacist Tami Miller. “As a part of your health care team, we work with our patients and providers to manage and control blood pressure and create patient goals to help reduce heart disease risks.”

In addition to health care providers and pharmacists making blood pressure a priority, it’s important for patients to lower their risk by eating a healthy diet lower in sodium, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and self-monitoring blood pressure at home.

To learn more about high blood pressure, visit http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure.