Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a public health crisis in America.

Although often overlooked and misunderstood, high blood pressure is a serious disease that can cause damage to the body with every beat of the heart. Even slight elevations in blood pressure significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The time to Take Action is now; start by getting the facts.

• Nearly 65 million Americans – or one in three adults – have high blood pressure.
• It is estimated that roughly 70 percent of people with high blood pressure do not have it under control.
• High blood pressure causes the death of approximately one American every 12 minutes, or five an hour.
• Approximately every two minutes, one American dies from complications due to high blood pressure.
• The latest national guidelines define normal blood pressure as less than 120/80 mm Hg and recommend prescription medication when blood pressure is greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg.