Autumn 2003 Ask the Expert: High Blood Pressure  High Blood
Pressure  Stuart Zarich, MD  I’m 65, and my primary care
physician just diagnosed me with borderline high blood pressure.
She gave me a diet to follow and said I need to exercise—which I
am doing. How will I know if my efforts are working?  Stuart
Zarich, MD, chief of Cardiology in the Heart Institute at
Bridgeport Hospital, responds:  You are wise to pay attention to
your blood pressure. Nearly 90% of all older people do
eventually develop high blood pressure, or hypertension. That
can be dangerous because high blood pressure can cause damaged
arteries and a weakened heart— leading to cardiovascular disease
(angina, hardening of the arteries, heart attack, congestive
heart failure, etc.). The sooner you are aware of elevated blood
pressure, the sooner you can take steps to bring it back down.
There is only one way to know what your blood pressure is: Have
it checked on a regular basis. Hypertension isn’t usually
associated with symptoms.  What Is H