How high is your blood pressure?

Sometimes I wish I were writing about Barry Bonds chasing Hank Aaron's formidable home run record or the latest on Beyonce's romance. These topics are magnetic, the closest you can come to guarantees that someone will stop what they're doing for a few seconds and at least read through the first couple of paragraphs of your column. Health conversations, however, are on the other end of the magnetic spectrum, attracting few and typically those who are already converted.

Blood pressure isn't as sexy as heating about Bonds hitting another one out of the park, but it certainly should have a similar effect when it comes to getting everyone's attention. Why? Because African-Americans have one of the highest rates of high blood pressure, not just in America, but the entire world. And here are some numbers (beyond Hank Aaron's 755) that might make you think. We have a 320 percent higher rate of kidney disease related to high blood pressure, an 80 percent higher death rate from stroke, and a 50 percent higher death rate from heart disease. We develop high blood pressure earlier than other groups, but most disturbing, many of us are walking around right now with this potentially lethal condition and don't even know it! And contrary to popular thought, it's not only affecting older individuals. There are many young Brothers (and Sisters) who might look physically fit and think there's no way they could be a victim of high blood pressure. Not only are they wrong, the numbers are growing among many of those who you might not think would be affected.

It's critical that we all go to our doctors, clinics or any reputable health care provider to get our blood pressure checked. It's just not enough to go to the local pharmacy and put your arm into one of those automated machines. You need to have a professional who not only takes your blood pressure, but one who also can interpret the results and tell you what they mean.

There are several other steps you can take right now to make sure you don't become a statistic. It's all about lifestyle choices that don't require a lot of money, just a healthy dose of determination. First, maintain a healthy weight or shed some pounds if you are overweight. Second, be more physically active and get moving. Third, reduce your consumption of alcoholic beverages. And lastly, lower your intake of salt or those foods with a high-sodium content.

The good news is that most of us Can implement these preventive measures for no cost and see immediate results. This is why I have launched the "50 Million Pound Challenge," a two-year initiative for African-Americans to lose a collective 50 million pounds over the next two years The idea behind "The Challenge" is that we can reduce our risk factors for conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and cancer by losing weight, eating healthier and becoming more physically active.

The escalating number of those of us who suffer from high blood pressure, young and old, and its related complications is a call to action for us to take effective steps right now. Too many of us are unknowingly walking around with a time bomb ticking in our blood vessels. There's no more time for excuses. Now is the time to make the changes that will not only improve the quality of our lives, but also be instrumental in how long we live.

I encourage all of us, Brothers and Sisters, to take part in the "50 Million Pound Challenge" as a way for us to take back control of our health and lower our risk for high blood pressure. State Farm Insurance has stepped up in a big way and is making it free for everyone to join. Simply log on to www.50millionpounds.com to register and find out how you can obtain your free Challenge kit. Together, we can take small steps and get big results.

Ian K. Smith, M.D. diet/fitness expert for TV's Celebrity Fit Club and author of the Fat Smash Diet and the Extreme Fat Smash Diet

COPYRIGHT 2007 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning