Take the Pressure Off: Hypertension Awareness Month 2025

Recently, I attended the “Take the Pressure Off (TPO)” summit hosted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The event highlighted how widespread high blood pressure is across New York City with particularly high rates in Black adults. More than one in four New Yorkers have high blood pressure and in 2021, Black adults were twice as likely to die prematurely from heart disease than White adults in NYC.

Many people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, which is why it is called the “silent killer.” Knowing your risk factors can help you be more aware of your likelihood of developing high blood pressure. Common risk factors include:

• Genetics and family history: Having relatives with high blood pressure increases your risk.
• Age: Blood pressure typically rises with age as arteries become stiff and less flexible, though high blood pressure can affect people of any age, including children.
• Gender: Men have higher rates until age 64; women’s rates increase after 65.
• Race or ethnicity: Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults—particularly males—experience higher rates due to a range of factors including disparities in healthcare access, neighborhood environments, and dietary traditions.
• Chronic disease: Kidney disease and diabetes can cause high blood pressure, and high blood pressure may harm your kidneys. According to the CDC, about 6 of 10 people who have diabetes also have high blood pressure. If untreated, high blood pressure puts a person at risk for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, and blindness.
• Behaviors: Unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices including consuming too much sodium (salt), not getting enough physical activity, drinking alcohol excessively, and using tobacco products.
• Pregnancy: Some people may develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, causing complications. Consult your healthcare provider if pregnant or planning pregnancy. God’s Love We Deliver offers Medically Tailored Meals and nutrition support for those with hypertension during pregnancy. For more information, see our Gestational Hypertension education portal here.

Awareness, treatment, and blood pressure control are key for reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, knowing your number is the first step in preventing complications.

• Monitor your blood pressure: In 2022, 1.295 million New Yorkers (18+ years) with high blood pressure were told to check their blood pressure at home. Regular monitoring is a key part of blood pressure management. Home monitors may be covered by your health insurance if prescribed by your doctor. Free blood pressure checks are also available at pharmacies and community organizations throughout the city. You can find locations here . Consult with your provider to understand your target blood pressure number.
• Limit sodium, added sugar, and saturated fats: Follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or fat free dairy. Limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams per day. Minimize processed foods, which typically have more sugar and sodium. God’s Love We Deliver’s Medically Tailored Meals meet these guidelines. In addition to our meals, our team of Registered Dietitians offer nutritional education to support our clients living with high blood pressure and other medical conditions. For more information, see our hypertension fact sheet here. These dietary recommendations help everyone, not just those with hypertension.
• Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle: If you smoke, quit, limit alcohol, achieve and maintain a healthy weight, and manage stress. Aim for 150+ minutes of moderate activity weekly, plus muscle strengthening twice weekly. Adults over 60 can find heart-healthy activities at nearby older adult centers listed here.
• Take medications as prescribed: Take medications as directed, even when your numbers improve. Discuss any side effects or concerns with your healthcare provider, who can suggest alternatives if needed.

Hypertension is a preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. While some risk factors cannot be changed, strategies exist to manage and prevent high blood pressure. May 17 is World Hypertension Day and this year’s theme is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!” Let’s commit to knowing our numbers and improving cardiovascular health for all New Yorkers!

Resources:

• New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. “Take the Pressure Off, NYC!,” New York City, NY, March 2025.
• https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/risk-factors/index.html
• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/know-your-risk-factors-for-high-blood-pressure
• https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/call-to-action-to-control-hypertension.pdf
• https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/heart-disease-blood-pressure.page