A nurse’s visit helps keep high blood pressure in check
By Chandra Wilson It’s American Heart Month, and there’s no better time to raise awareness of the signs of hypertensive heart disease (HHD), which is better known as hypertension, or elevated blood pressure. Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because, as reported by the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly half of all Americans have hypertension, and many don’t even realize it. The facts are clear. HHD is the leading cause of death for all Americans. For African American men and women, the risk for developing HHD is even higher, as roughly 40 percent are estimated to have high blood pressure. The condition increases with age, and if not properly managed can lead to heart failure, coronary artery disease, kidney failure, and other serious health issues. However, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, hypertension is reversible. Ruth Caballero, RN, a public health nurse with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York for more than two decades, provides home...
