Rochester, N.Y. - A report from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield found local adults with high blood pressure are putting their health at risk by ignoring doctor recommendations.
"About three out of four of the 250,000 Finger Lakes adults diagnosed with high blood pressure said they changed their diet or increased their physical activity to manage their condition," said Dr. Carl Devore, associate medical director, Excellus BCBS. "But one in four Finger Lakes adults with the condition is not taking these two crucial steps to improve blood pressure control.
Dr. Devore said failing to manage high blood pressure can shorten lives, and lead to heart attacks, strokes, or kidney disease.
One in three upstate New York adults, or 1.2 million people, was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2009.
In addition to medication in more severe cases, patients with high blood pressure are advised to exercise and eat healthy, and to avoid drinking and smoking.
