Raising Awareness on High Blood Pressure in the Latino Community

Strategic Insights -

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. According to the American Heart Association, more than half of Latino men and about a third of Latino women 20 years and older suffer from high blood pressure. Erika Perez's story, who suffered a heart attack and stroke due to high blood pressure, serves as a powerful reminder of the health risks associated with uncontrolled hypertension. The American Heart Association is raising awareness on this critical issue through its bilingual "Love your heart. Lower the pressure." campaign, supported by Providence.

Key Takeaways:

  • High blood pressure affects more than half of Latino men and about a third of Latino women 20 years and older, as per the American Heart Association.
  • Latino adults have lower rates of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control compared to their white counterparts, mainly due to language and cultural barriers, systemic barriers, and lack of access to health insurance.
  • In 2022, hypertension caused the deaths of 5,132 US Hispanic men and 4,694 Hispanic women, according to the American Heart Association.
  • A heart-healthy lifestyle can reduce high blood pressure, including eating a well-balanced diet, limiting sodium intake, following a plant-based diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and taking medications properly.
  • A normal blood pressure for adults is a systolic (top number) measurement of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic (bottom number) reading under 80 mmHg, as per the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.
  • Managing high blood pressure is possible with small steps, such as losing weight if overweight, reducing sodium intake, following a plant-based diet, and exercising regularly, as emphasized by Monica Ferguson, MD, an internal medicine physician with Providence.
  • Erika Perez, a wife, mother, and grandmother, ran three restaurants with her husband while managing her high blood pressure, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health for oneself and loved ones.

Statistics:

  • More than half of Latino men (53%) and about a third of Latino women (33%) 20 years and older suffer from high blood pressure (Source: American Heart Association).
  • High blood pressure caused the deaths of 5,132 US Hispanic men and 4,694 Hispanic women in 2022 (Source: American Heart Association).
  • A normal blood pressure for adults is a systolic measurement of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic reading under 80 mmHg (Source: American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology).

Sources:

  • American Heart Association
  • Providence