“We’re becoming more and more aware of the importance of high blood pressure. Levels we used to think were normal we now associate with worse outcomes, and treating them makes a big difference,” said Dr. Emelia J. Benjamin, a professor of cardiology at Boston University, in a recent article for the American Heart Association (AHA).
The month of May has increased importance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as we highlight National High Blood Pressure Education and Stroke Awareness Month. Developing statistics indicate that people with high blood pressure – also known as hypertension – and heart disease are at higher risk for developing severe illness and symptoms of COVID. Stroke survivors also may face increased risk for complications if they get the virus.
According to Million Hearts, almost 50 percent of the 75 million Americans with hypertension do not have it under control. About 11 million of them are unaware of it altogether and are thus not receiving treatment to help control it. The cherry on top of these staggering statistics is that most of these individuals have health insurance and see a primary care physician at least once per year.
High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke, which occurs when the pressure of the blood in your arteries and other blood vessels is too high. In many cases, hypertension shows no symptoms and goes completely unnoticed. This tells us that there is more work to do to help American adults understand their numbers and risks of this silent killer.
The AHA has created seven life goals which they refer to as “Life’s Simple 7” in lowering risks related to hypertension, stroke, and other heart disease. These include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding excess weight, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar within a healthy range.
Dr. Gregg C. Fonarow, a professor of cardiovascular medicine and science at the University of California, Los Angeles was quoted in the same AHA article adding, “High blood pressure is a major modifiable risk factor for heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and premature cardiovascular death. Achieving and maintaining a healthy blood pressure level can markedly lower the risk of these cardiovascular events for men and women, young and old, and all race-ethnic backgrounds.”
BioIQ is stepping in to help make testing more convenient and accessible with our at-home Wellness Panel and Heart Health Panel. These turn-key health screening programs allow your participants to easily take control of their well-being and stay ahead of any health challenges by identifying unseen risks, giving participants a better picture of their overall health.
We provide a modern approach to wellbeing with these programs, providing simple, self-administered tests which participants can complete from the comfort and safety of their home. These efforts ultimately reduce costs and improve outcomes through early identification and intervention. BioIQ’s holistic health management solution is here to help your organization discover and manage conditions, while encouraging participants to take ownership of their health.
We partner with health plans, enterprise companies, and government agencies to identify hypertension early and prevent potential stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in your populations and employee groups. Contact us today!