High Blood Pressure
The Silent Threat Americans Searched for Most in 2024
2/3/2025
Melissa Wendell, Nurse Practitioner at Aspirus Cardiology
In 2024, Americans
turned to Google for answers to their health concerns, with “What causes high
blood pressure?” among the most searched questions.
Soliant Health, a
health care job search site that analyzed
2024 Google search data, highlighted this as a top concern. This growing
awareness reflects the connection between hypertension and serious conditions
like heart disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.
“People are starting
to realize you can develop high blood pressure without any symptoms,” says Melissa
Wendell, a nurse practitioner at Aspirus Cardiology. “They want to know
what they can do to prevent it.”
What Causes High
Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure,
or hypertension, develops over time and can often be prevented. Wendell
explains some of the primary factors:
- Unhealthy Diet:
“High blood pressure is often caused by a diet high in processed foods and
salt,” Wendell explains. A lack of potassium-rich foods also contributes.
- Obesity: Extra
weight puts added strain on the heart, increasing stress on blood vessels.
- Physical Inactivity:
“Exercise helps your blood vessels become more pliable and can bring down your
weight, which lowers blood pressure,” says Wendell.
- Underlying Medical
Conditions: Chronic issues like diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea are
linked to hypertension. “If blood pressure stays high, it can lead to serious
complications like chronic kidney disease,” Wendell notes.
- Modern Lifestyle:
Wendell observes, “High blood pressure is happening at younger ages due to
diets high in salt and processed foods, along with decreased physical
activity.”
Taking Control of
Your Health
Wendell emphasizes
that hypertension is preventable with lifestyle changes. “Simply reducing salt
and avoiding processed foods can help your blood pressure. Staying active also
makes a big difference.”
For those concerned,
Wendell advises taking early action. “It’s important to know your numbers. See
a primary care provider to identify any underlying causes and determine whether
treatment is needed. Your provider can help guide you.”
Visit www.aspirus.org/find-a-provider
to find a provider near you.
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