Why Participate in Blood Pressure and Diabetes Screenings?

A message from Dr. Mark Sullivan

Hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes are asymptomatic diseases—meaning you may not know you have them—so it’s extremely important to be screened regularly to ensure your long-term health. Unfortunately, both these conditions are more prevalent in African Americans, so you owe it to yourself, and your family, to get yourself checked out.

Hypertension can lead to a number of very serious conditions, including heart disease and stroke, and kidney disease, which is seen in greater numbers in African Americans as a result of high blood pressure. Diabetes, which has a significant connection to obesity, can also lead to kidney disease, blindness and more.

The good news is that both these conditions are treatable…and the first step typically won’t include medication, but making dietary changes and adding exercise to your lifestyle. If you don’t get screened, and your disease goes untreated, by the time symptoms do present themselves, damage will have already been done.

I encourage you to be screened for high blood pressure and diabetes, especially if those conditions run in your family. Be proactive about safeguarding your health.