Could You Have High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, changes in thinking and memory, and blindness. Learn how to lower your risk. Answer these questions to find out your risk:

• Are you overweight?

• Do you eat foods high in salt?

• Are you physically inactive?

• Do you have more than one or two alcoholic drinks a day?

• Are you African-American?

• Do you take "the Pill?"

• Are you over age 35?

• Does one of your parents or a brother or sister have high blood pressure?

• Do you have diabetes, kidney disease, or gout?

The more questions you answer "yes" to, the higher your risk for high blood pressure.

Talk with your doctor. You usually can’t see or feel high blood pressure. For this reason, you should have your blood pressure checked. If it is normal, have it checked at least once every two years. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor can work with you to lower it.

If you need help finding a Keystone Mercy doctor or making an appointment, please call Member Services at 1-800-521-6860. You can also go to Keystone Mercy’s provider directory to find a doctor.