One in Three Has High Blood Pressure—Is it You?

Apr 03, 2017

The Big Squeeze 2017 is underway.

Preventive services, such as a routine blood pressure check, are at the forefront of improving health. High blood pressure is called a "silent killer," because there are often no symptoms until something more serious happens, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Over the past seven years, screenings held during The Big Squeeze have shown that only about one-third of adults had normal blood pressure readings. And, of those who had high readings, many had never been told by a health care professional that they have high blood pressure. During the 2016 event, 34 percent of adults screened had a normal blood pressure (below 120/80), 45 percent were in the “at risk” category, and 21 percent had high blood pressure readings. Of those screened with the high readings, 39 percent were not aware they could have high blood pressure.

A group of public and private community partners help Live Well Sioux Falls drive this successful effort each year, including the American Heart Association, Augustana University, Avera Health, City of Sioux Falls, DAKOTACARE, Lewis Drug, Sanford Health, South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, the University of Sioux Falls, and Walgreens. In addition to the project partners, The Big Squeeze engages other businesses and organizations in the community to host on-site blood pressure screenings. 

The Big Squeeze has also discovered a growing number of young adults in Sioux Falls with elevated blood pressure. Within the 18-to-24 age category, the 2016 screening project found only 24 percent of young men and 58 percent of young women had a healthy blood pressure reading.

There is good news when it comes to blood pressure, however...it can be managed. But to manage blood pressure, you have to know your numbers—and that’s what The Big Squeeze is all about. A simple blood pressure screening might just save a life.

Have your blood pressure checked today! Free screening locations for the April project can be found on our calendar of events.

For more information on how to become involved in The Big Squeeze, please contact Live Well Sioux Falls at livewell@siouxfalls.org or call 605-367-8286.