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Blood Pressure and Young Men
July 29, 2008 |
A recent study took a unique take on high blood pressure by focusing on men
between the ages of 18 and 39. Researchers from Northwestern University suggest
men who developed high blood pressure were more likely to die sooner from some
form of heart disease.
Dr. Salvatore Lacagnina is the Medical Director of Lee Physician group. He says,
“It’s a significant problem because they call high blood pressure the silent
killer it really doesn’t create any symptoms until you have had the first heart
attack or the first stroke.” Things like a bad diet and lack of exercise can put
you at risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.
But young men may forget to look at other factors that could be putting them at
high risk. Dr. Lacagnina says, “If you have someone that’s young and they appear
healthy and they have high blood pressure you really a have to question what
they are doing. Are they taking any over the counter medications which may be
elevating their blood pressure? Are they taking any recreational drugs that may
be doing that?”
The recent study suggests that preventing high blood pressure should begin in
childhood especially for boys. Dr. Lacagnina agrees that prevention should start
with parents. “Prevention is the way to take care of people. What we try to get
across to our patients is let’s take care of you now while you’re young and
you’re healthy so that you don’t become older and unhealthy.” A diet of more
fruits and vegetables and less salt can help prevent your little boy or girl
from developing high blood pressure as an adult. Almost one-third of Americans
with high blood pressure do not realize they have it. |
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