LOS ANGELES, Calif. Feb. 14, 2025 – Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Of those, about 75% don’t have it under control and many don’t know they have it.
To raise greater awareness and reduce untreated high blood pressure, the American Heart Association, with support from Providence, is launching the “Love Your Heart. Lower the Pressure.” campaign as part of this year’s American Heart Month celebration. The goal is to encourage people to know their numbers and work with their health care team to keep their blood pressure in check and reduce their risk of serious health issues, including heart disease and stroke.
The yearlong campaign, which features the stories of real people living with high blood pressure, especially aims to reach Black and Hispanic/Latino people.
About 55% of Black adults have high blood pressure. Black people have higher rates of more severe high blood pressure than other ethnic groups and it develops earlier in life. This is largely due to historical and systemic factors, including adverse social determinants of health, defined as the conditions in which a person is born and lives, and lack of access to health care, healthy food and other resources that support health.1
In the Hispanic/Latino community, 45% of adult men and 27% of adult women have hypertension.2 A study shows Hispanic/Latino people have lower hypertension control rates due to systemic barriers, including access to quality and affordable healthcare and resources for monitoring and treating their hypertension outside of clinical setting.3
"At Providence, we are deeply committed to advancing health equity and addressing the critical health disparities that impact our communities. By supporting the American Heart Association with this hypertension awareness campaign, we aim to equip communities with the knowledge and resources they need to take control of their heart health. This initiative is not just about raising awareness—it's about creating tangible change and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the care and support necessary to lead a healthy life,” said Whitney Haggerson, Vice President of Health Equity and Medicaid, Providence.
Most people who have high blood pressure have no obvious symptoms. For people 20 years or older who have normal blood pressure, the American Heart Association recommends getting a blood pressure check once a year.
“Hypertension is a silent killer. Getting your numbers measured is the only way to know if you have it,” said Kathy Rogers, executive vice president, American Heart Association Western States. “If your blood pressure is high, it is important to work with your health care team on a plan to get it under control.”
According to the American Heart Association, reducing chronic stress, moving more and choosing nourishing food are important steps to prevent and manage high blood pressure. Keeping a healthy weight and reducing or eliminating alcohol and tobacco use are also key.
“The good news is by keeping your blood pressure under control, you can prevent serious health issues like heart attack, stroke and kidney disease, and enjoy a full, healthy life,” said Rogers.
The multimedia public awareness campaign features the stories of real people living with high blood pressure:
- Carlo Lopez learned about his high blood pressure shortly after becoming a new father. The husband, father and musician from Los Angeles, California, said changing his eating habits, incorporating more movement daily and taking his medication as prescribed have helped keep his blood pressure under control. “Making a few changes and working with my health care team to manage my high blood pressure was worth every extra beat,” he said.
- Erika Perez was diagnosed with high blood pressure during her third pregnancy. Ten days after giving birth to her child, she suffered a heart attack. Years later, she had a stroke. “It was always easier for me to take care of others than to take care of myself,” said Perez, a wife, mother and grandmother who runs three restaurants in Los Angeles, California with her husband. “Now I’m managing my high blood pressure, enjoying more quiet moments and putting my health first because I want to be here for my family,” she said.
- After a routine exam revealed he had high blood pressure, Julian Allen, then in his 20s, was determined to lower his numbers. He learned how to make healthier, low-sodium dishes that taste good and adopted other strategies that he learned from his mother, who also has hypertension. Allen said he wants everyone to know that anyone can develop high blood pressure. “It is not just an older person’s problem. Knowing your blood pressure numbers is the first step to keeping it under control,” said Allen, who works in business development for a construction company in Portland, Oregon.
- Monique Shields developed preeclampsia while pregnant with her first child. Preeclampsia is the most dangerous form of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Shields delivered her firstborn safely, but her blood pressure remained high. Shields knew she had to take action, because hypertension and heart disease run in her family. Now, the wife, mother and entrepreneur from Tacoma, Washington, makes time for daily walks, which have become her favorite form of physical activity. She checks her blood pressure regularly and takes her medication consistently. “If there’s one thing I learned, it’s never too late to turn things around,” she said.
To learn more about high blood pressure and how to prevent and manage it, visit heart.org/bp.
The Love your heart. Lower the pressure. campaign is part of the American Heart Association’s Live Fierce. Reduce your risk. initiative supported by Providence.
Additional Resources:
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than 100 years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X, Instagram or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
Media Inquiries: Kristine Kelly: kristine.kelly@heart.org
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org | stroke.org
[1] https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/know-your-risk-factors-for-high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-among-black-people
[3] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.18381
