The American Heart Association (AHA) is raising awareness about the critical impact of high blood pressure on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, emphasizing that hypertension is the number one preventable risk factor for heart disease and stroke in the United States. According to the AHA, approximately 125.9 million U.S. adults—47.3% of the adult population—now live with high blood pressure, yet only about 1 in 4 adults have it under control. Within the AANHPI community, the situation is particularly severe: high blood pressure affects 1 in 2 men and more than 1 in 3 women, and it was responsible for over 4,000 deaths among AANHPI adults in 2023 alone.
Dr. Justin Lee, a volunteer board member of the AHA Greater Bay Area and general cardiologist at Stanford University, stressed the personal stakes involved. “Heart health is intensely personal and scientific research shows us that one of the most important things you can do to be heart healthy is to manage your blood pressure,” he said. “When you have high blood pressure, it's not just a number on a chart—it's your future at stake and your ability to stay present for the people you love. The good news is: managing your blood pressure is not hard. The first step is awareness.”
The AHA recommends that individuals know their numbers by getting blood pressure checked regularly, whether at a doctor’s office, with a home blood pressure monitor, or at a pharmacy kiosk. Normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic reading (top number) less than 120 and a diastolic reading (bottom number) less than 80. A single high reading is not usually a concern, but consistently high readings warrant a conversation with a clinician. Extremely high readings—systolic over 180 or diastolic over 120—can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking.
Lifestyle changes are the first line of defense. The AHA’s Life’s Essential 8™ outlines key habits: eat smart, be active, quit tobacco and nicotine, sleep well, manage weight, manage blood pressure, manage cholesterol, and manage blood sugar. For those who still cannot control their blood pressure through lifestyle changes, safe and effective medications are available. The AHA also offers the My Life Check calculator to provide personalized health goals.
New research highlighted by the AHA shows that high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain, potentially leading to memory problems and dementia. This underscores the importance of early intervention to protect cognitive health. Additionally, women face unique risks: high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to serious complications and increase future heart problems. The AHA advises women to manage blood pressure before, during, and after pregnancy.
Personalized care is critical. The AHA’s PREVENT™ risk calculator helps clinicians estimate a patient’s risk of heart attack or stroke over the next 10 to 30 years, enabling tailored treatment plans that may include earlier medication. Dr. Lee urged individuals to talk to their doctors and not ignore high readings. “An extremely high reading could be dangerous, especially if you are not exerting yourself or if you have certain other symptoms. Do not ignore that,” he said.
The AHA’s message is clear: staying informed and taking action can help AANHPI individuals and their loved ones live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit heart.org.
