WHAT CAN YOUR URL: http://www.americanheart.org. July 2005.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
DOCTOR DO? FIRE AND RESCUE
The only way to find out if you SERVICES
have high blood pressure is to
have your blood pressure
checked regularly. VISION STATEMENT

1. Pinpoint risk factors and The Vision of the Montgomery

help you change your lifestyle. County Fire and Rescue
Service is to keep our What you should
Offer medication for the
2.
reduction of blood pressure and
communities safe and healthy know about your…
by providing comprehensive
arrange regular monitoring. and effective life safety and
Sometimes blood pressure property protection services
control is not straightforward. through diverse partnerships.
3. Seek a specialist. Your
doctor may wish to seek the
BLOOD
advice of a specialist if your blood
pressure is difficult to control. PRESSURE
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I
KNOW?
By treating hypertension early,
complications can be avoided
and average life expectancy can
remain almost normal.
Isiah Leggett, County
Without treatment, life Executive
expectancy may be well
Richard Bowers, Fire Chief
reduced due to the risk of
developing complications such Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services
as heart failure or stroke. 101 Monroe Street, 12th Floor
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Phone (240) 777-2400
References:

Rutherford, Dan MD. URL:

http://www.netdoctor “Hypertension”. Sept.
2004.
FACTS ABOUT
HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE
Blood pressure is the force
of the blood against the
walls of the arteries.
Your blood pressure is at
1.
its highest when the heart
beats, pumping the blood. This
is called systolic pressure.
2. When the heart is at rest,
between beats, your blood
pressure falls. This is the
diastolic pressure.
3. A normal blood pressure
is 120/80.
4. When the level stays high,
140/90 or higher, you have
high blood pressure.
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
According to the American Heart
Association, nearly one in three
U.S. adults has high blood
pressure. Because there are no
symptoms, nearly one-third of
these people don’t know they
have it.
Because your heart has to work
harder, it gets bigger and
pumps less efficiently. Your
arteries take a beating, and
your chances of a stroke, heart
attack, and kidney problems are
greater.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I
HAVE HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE?
High blood pressure usually has
no symptoms. In fact, many
people have high blood pressure
for years without knowing it. High
blood pressure can include the
following symptoms:
• Headache
• Sleepiness
• Confusion
• Vertigo
WHAT ARE SOME
COMPLICATIONS OF
HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE?
1. Atherosclerosis –
narrowing of the arteries.
2. Stroke – hemorrhage or
blood clot in the brain.
3. Heart attack – occurs when
a blood clot obstructs a
coronary artery constricting
blood flow to that part of the
heart.
4. Heart failure – reduced
pumping ability of the heart.
5. Kidney failure – the
decreased ability of the kidneys
to filter waste products from the
blood.
RISK FACTORS
• Family history
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Diabetes Type I or Type II
• Kidney Diseases
• High alcohol intake
• Excessive salt intake
• Lack of exercise
• Certain medicines (such as
steroids)
WHAT CAN I DO TO
PREVENT IT?
Every adult near or past middle
age should “know their
numbers” i.e. your weight,
height, blood pressure and
cholesterol levels.
Change your lifestyle!
• Stop smoking
• Lose weight

• Exercise regularly

• Cut down on alcohol

• Reduce Stress