Introduction
According to the National Hypertension Association almost 1 in 4 adults have hypertension. It has been deemed as the "silent killer" because it poses no symptoms. Hypertension often leads to cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure and stroke. The Centers for Disease Control states that the cost for treatment of cardiovascular related diseases will approach $77 billion dollars in the US. 1 In fact, among minority populations the rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease are even higher than the national average. High rates in these populations appear to be due to a lack of understanding of the how hypertension affects the body among many minority persons as well as a failure of individuals to seek treatment early. 2 The Office of Minority Health states that among minorities, Hispanics have the highest uninsured rates in the nation contributing to their problem of accessing health care. Though heart disease rates have dropped during the last four years, obesity continues to be a major factor in the development of heart disease. 3 Because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States increasing awareness among my students and the community is vital.
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