What's Your Number? Your BP Is Important.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often called the “silent killer” for good reason. It typically has no obvious symptoms, yet it can cause life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. At Waverly Rescue Squad, we believe that awareness and early action are the keys to prevention and saving lives in our community.

What Is Hypertension?

Hypertension occurs when the force of the blood against your artery walls is consistently too high. A normal blood pressure reading is around 120/80 mm Hg. Anything consistently above 130/80 is considered high and can lead to damage in your blood vessels and organs over time.

Why Is Hypertension Dangerous?

Hypertension doesn’t hurt — until it does. It can quietly damage your body for years before symptoms show. Some of the serious complications include:

• Heart Disease: High blood pressure makes your heart work harder than it should, which can lead to heart failure or heart attacks.

• Stroke: Hypertension is a leading cause of strokes due to increased pressure on brain arteries.

• Kidney Damage: Your kidneys rely on healthy blood flow. High blood pressure can scar the kidney tissue and lead to chronic kidney disease.

• Vision Loss: Over time, hypertension can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to vision problems or even blindness.

Know the Risk Factors

Some people are more at risk than others. Common risk factors include:

• Family history of hypertension

• Obesity or being overweight

• Smoking and excessive alcohol use

• Lack of physical activity

• High-sodium, low-potassium diets

• Chronic stress

• Age (risk increases as you get older)

What You Can Do

The good news? Hypertension can often be prevented or managed with healthy lifestyle choices and proper medical care. Here are some simple steps to take:

• Get regular blood pressure checks, especially if you're over 40 or have risk factors.

• Eat heart-healthy foods low in salt and rich in fruits and vegetables.

• Exercise regularly — even 30 minutes a day of walking can make a difference.

• Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.

• Manage stress through relaxation techniques or counseling.

How Waverly Rescue Squad Can Help

Our team of dedicated EMTs and paramedics often respond to emergencies caused by unmanaged high blood pressure. We encourage everyone in our community to take hypertension seriously. Prevention is far better than an emergency response.

If you or someone you love is showing signs of a stroke, heart attack, or other symptoms related to hypertension, don’t wait — call 911 immediately.

Stay informed. Stay healthy. Stay safe.

.— Your Waverly Rescue Squad