Know Your Numbers: Blood Pressure Screenings Could Save Lives – Christopher Ottiano, MD

by Christopher Ottiano, M.D. Neighborhood Health Plan of RI

February marks American Heart Month and it serves as a critical and timely reminder to prioritize cardiovascular health by understanding a number many people overlook: your blood pressure. Why does it matter? High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the leading cause of heart disease, and one in every four deaths in the U.S. is linked to heart disease.

Often called the “silent killer,” high blood pressure affects nearly half of U.S. adults, frequently with no noticeable symptoms. Without routine screenings, many people don’t realize there’s a problem until serious damage has already occurred. The good news: regular blood pressure checks are one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.

What Your Blood Pressure Reveals

Blood pressure measures the force of blood against your artery walls. When that force is too high for too long, it quietly damages the vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Over time, this strain hardens arteries, weakens vessel walls and forces the heart to work harder than it should.

Regular screenings can uncover early warning signs of:

• Heart disease: Persistent high pressure puts extra strain on the heart, increasing the risk of heart failure and heart attack.
• Stroke: Damaged or weakened vessels in the brain make blockages or bleeding more likely.
• Kidney disease: High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of kidney damage.
• Vision issues: The delicate blood vessels in the eyes are particularly vulnerable to elevated pressure.

Managing high blood pressure effectively can reduce the risk of major cardiac events by more than 20 percent. Even a modest change, such as lowering your reading by just 10 points, can cut the risk of stroke by nearly one-third. These aren’t small improvements. These are lifesaving differences.‑third. These aren’t small improvements. These are life‑saving differences.

Who Should Be Checked?

Blood pressure screenings are recommended for all adults, starting in early adulthood. Ideally, everyone should have their blood pressure measured at least every two years, and more often if readings have been high in the past or if you have risk factors such as diabetes, kidney disease, smoking or a family history of heart problems

A Small Step With a Big Impact

This Heart Month, carve out a few minutes for a screening: at your doctor’s office, a community event, a local pharmacy, or even at home if you have a monitor. It’s quick, painless, and one of the most powerful tools you have to safeguard your health. To learn more, visit the American Heart Association at heart.org or the CDC’s heart disease resources at cdc.gov/heart-disease.

Your heart works nonstop for you. This February, take the time to return the favor.

Christopher Ottiano, M.D., is the Medical Director at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island