High Blood Pressure Affects Between 20 and 33 Percent of the Population in the USA or Canada

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every three Americans are suffering from high blood pressure and this is an alarming statistic. In Canada about 1 out of 5 Canadians suffer from high blood pressure. High blood pressure is known as the silent killer often because it does not come with identifiable symptoms. Yet, it is linked to heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease. An additional 20 percent of the Canadian population have pre-hypertension while about 25 percent of the American population have it.

High blood pressure affects men and women equally except in the African American population where African American women have higher rates of high blood pressure (44 percent) than African American Men (42 percent).

Kathryn Wilkins, analyst for Statistic Canada says high blood pressure rates are not rising, however there are still 20 percent of Canadians walking around not realizing they have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the number one cause of stroke and it damages blood vessels causing scarring that can promote plaque buildup associated with heart disease.

Luckily, 66 percent of high blood pressure is controlled with medication. Women are most often in the group of individuals who have trouble keeping their high blood pressure under control even with medication. The problem worsens with age.

According to the Montreal Heart Institute, smoking is a major contributor associated with heart disease and high blood pressure. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Canada. Fortunately, the rate of heart disease in Canada is on the decline, which is good to know.

According to G. Paradis and C. Thivierge controlling high blood pressure is largely based on a commitment to a complete lifestyle change. The Montreal Heart Institute acknowledges the decline in high blood pressure rates since 1990, can be contributed in part to the fact that people are taking better of care of themselves.

Other factors that contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease are obesity, too much salt intake, and excessive alcohol consumption.

The Montreal Heart Institute also declares diabetes as a major contributor for high blood pressure and other heart related diseases.

For the most part, Montrealers are taking heed of the recommendations. Montrealers overall are smoking less, they are getting in more exercise and beginning to see the value of a good diet filled with fruits and vegetables.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm

http://www.icm-mhi.org/en/maladies-coeur.html

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100217/blood_pressure_100217/20100217?hub=Health