High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
IU Health provides lifesaving care for hypertension – the silent killer.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a hypertension related disease, is the leading cause of death in the United States. Indiana ranks 35th as the nation’s least-healthiest states, in large part due to CVD.
Through IU Health’s community engaged approach, we aim to reduce hypertension-related diseases and complications, especially among residents of medically underserved communities across the state of Indiana.
Hypertension is a common but treatable heart condition caused when your blood flows too forcefully against the walls of your blood vessels. Without treatment, hypertension can lead to complications such as heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.
There are a number of factors that can put you at higher risk of hypertension. Some causes and risks include:
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Family history
- Being overweight or obese
- Kidney damage
Learn more about hypertension – including causes, risks and treatment options – on our High Blood Pressure condition page.
Hypertension-Related Disparities
Medically underserved populations experience hypertension-related disparities and barriers to accessing care, according to the American Heart Association. As a result, individuals experience a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, including fatal strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is a common but treatable heart condition caused when your blood flows too forcefully against the walls of your blood vessels. Without treatment, hypertension can lead to complications such as heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.
There are a number of factors that can put you at higher risk of hypertension. Some causes and risks include:
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Family history
- Being overweight or obese
- Kidney damage
Learn more about hypertension – including causes, risks and treatment options – on our High Blood Pressure condition page.
Hypertension-Related Disparities
Medically underserved populations experience hypertension-related disparities and barriers to accessing care, according to the American Heart Association. As a result, individuals experience a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, including fatal strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure.
Recognizing that health disparities exist and bringing together diverse stakeholders are critical to begin addressing the complexity of these disparities and delivering equitable care.
- Khadijah Breathett, MD, IU Health cardiologist
Indianapolis Health Excellence, Access, outReach, and Treatment (iHEART) Collaborative
iHEART aims to contribute to overall heart health and disease prevention by addressing barriers to care among patients and communities with the greatest medical and social need. Together with IU Health physicians, our iHEART Community Health workers empower our community through blood pressure management assistance help and connection to local resources.
iHEART is a free service offered as part of our dedication to make Indiana healthier, starting with those in our community. For more information, email chw@iuhealth.org or call 317.963.2013.
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