Educational Materials for Patients

Know the Facts About High Blood Pressure

This full-color, easy-to-read handout describes the risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of high blood pressure.

• Know the Facts About High Blood Pressure [PDF–223K]

Fact Sheets

• Aortic Aneurysm
• High Blood Pressure
• Sodium/Salt
• Stroke
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• American Indian and Alaska Native Heart Disease and Stroke Fact Sheet
• The Stroke and Heart Attack Prevention Program (SHAPP) Fact Sheet

Podcasts

Listen to CDC podcasts for reliable health and safety information when and where you want it.

• A Cup of Health With CDC: Dealing with High Blood Pressure
  High blood pressure (HBP) increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. Nearly 30% of the U.S. adult population had HBP during 2001–2004, and HBP was not controlled in approximately 70% of those persons. To assess the prevalence of actions to control HBP, CDC analyzed data from 20 states. The results indicated that nearly all adults with HBP were taking at least some action, but some persons can take additional actions, including dietary changes, exercise, and taking prescribed medication.
  Date Released: 5/4/2009
• A Cup of Health with CDC: Living a Less Salty Life
  Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. A diet high in sodium, or salt, can raise blood pressure. Dr. Darwin Labarthe discusses the importance of lowering your salt intake in order to minimize the risk of developing hypertension.
  Date Released: 4/2/2009
• A Cup of Health with CDC: Heart Health
  A healthy heart is the key to a healthy life. Each year, more than 17 million people die from cardiovascular disease, mainly heart disease and stroke, making it the leading cause of death worldwide. In this podcast, Judy Hannan discusses how to maintain a healthy heart.
  Date Released: 9/24/2009

Other Resources

The following Web sites include government health links and resources about high blood pressure—

• American Heart Association: High Blood Pressure
• American Society of Hypertension
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Is High Blood Pressure?
• National Institutes of Health: High Blood Pressure

Tools to Help Control Hypertension

Hispanic populations have low control rates for hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Also, they have high prevalence of high blood cholesterol, and their diets often are high in salt and saturated fats. Reaching these audiences with effective messages about prevention can be challenging.

Most Hispanic consumers prefer to learn information in the format of a fotonovela, which is similar to a comic book. Because fotonovelas use plain language and are common in Spanish-language cultures, they are an effective medium for health promotion and health education for Hispanic audiences.

Promotoras and other community health workers (CHWs) are encouraged to read the fotonovela with participants. A Promotora/CHW Guide accompanies the fotonovela and gives these members of the health care team a brief summary of objectives, tips, additional activities, reviews, and reminders.

• Spanish: Cómo Controlar su Hipertensión: A Fotonovela [PDF-3.7M]
• Controlling Hypertension by Learning to Control Sodium Intake: A Fotonovela [PDF-3.0M]
• Spanish Version: Cómo Controlar su Hipertensión: Aprenda a controlar su consumo de sodio [PDF-3.0M]
• Controlling Hypertension by Learning to Control Sodium Intake: Promotora Guide [PDF-1.0M]
• Spanish Version: Guía de Promotora Cómo Controlar Su Hipertensión—Aprenda a controlar su consumo de sodio [PDF-1M]
• Community Health Workers and Million Hearts™ [PDF-312K]
• Spanish Version: Los promotores de salud y la iniciativa Million Hearts™ [PDF-402K]