Condition
Heart Health (high blood pressure & cholesterol)
High blood pressure and high cholesterol both raise your risk of heart problems. Nearly half of US adults (48.1%, about 120 million) have high blood pressure. Only about 1 in 4 of them have it under control.
Common options
- Lifestyle changes. These include losing weight, exercising regularly, managing stress, eating less sodium, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and getting enough sleep.
- Blood pressure medicines. Common types are ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers and diuretics. Two or more medicines often work better than one.
- Lifestyle and medicine together. Combining both usually keeps blood pressure lower than either one alone.
- Statins. These are the main medicines for lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Other cholesterol medicines. Doctors may add other types when LDL stays high on statins, or when someone can't take statins.
When to see a doctor
- You haven't had your blood pressure or cholesterol checked recently.
- Your blood pressure readings at home or at a pharmacy are 140/90 or higher.
- You have side effects from a medicine. Never change your dose or stop a medicine on your own.
Research studies
Researchers are studying new ways to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Clinical studies are one option you can discuss with your doctor.
See heart health studies recruiting near you →
Plan your next appointment: Questions for your doctor