May is high blood pressure month. About 1 in 3 adults in the United States have high blood pressure. High blood pressure affects 2 in 5 African Americans, 1 in 5 Latino and Native Americans, and 1 in 6 Asian Americans. Half of Latinos over the age of 65 have high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force put on the walls of the blood vessels with each heartbeat. Blood pressure is checked with a wide band called a cuff, which is placed around the upper arm. Air is put into the cuff. Blood pressure is measured as air is let out of the cuff. A reading above 140 over 90 is considered high. The harder it is for blood to flow through your blood vessels, the higher your blood pressure numbers. With high blood pressure, your heart is working harder than normal. High blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and hardening of the blood vessels.

High blood pressure often causes no symptoms so many do not know that they have the condition. This is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor. High blood pressure is not a normal part of aging.

You can prevent or manage high blood pressure if you:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise each day.
• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy foods.
• Limit salt intake.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Take medicines ordered by your doctor for high blood pressure.