High blood pressure is commonly described as a “silent killer,” asesino silencioso (2). This is because a lot of the time, high blood pressure presents no warning signs. Anyone can get high blood pressure. In fact, 1 out of 3 adults do at some point in their life(1).
28.6% of all women with high blood pressure are Mexican-American.
24.8% of all men with high blood pressure are Mexican-American (2).
Although Mexican-Americans have slightly lower rates or have just about the same likelihood to develop high blood pressure as the total population in America, they as not as likely to be informed about high blood pressure due to several factors and are not always sure about how to treat it (3). Because Latinos are less informed about high blood pressure they are less likely to appear in statistics. Whereas 18% of Caucasians control their blood pressure, only 13% of Latinos are reported to control their blood pressure (2).
It is important to check your blood pressure regularly and control it if it develops. Untreated high blood pressure puts adults at high risk for heart disease and strokes, which are the top killers in the United States. Heart disease happens as a result of high blood pressure because it causes the arteries to harden, lowering the blood flow to different parts of the body including the heart muscle itself. Also, high blood pressure commonly leads to blindness and kidney problems(1).
This is the device used to measure blood pressure (5).