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High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a very common condition. It can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke if it is not managed.

What are healthy blood pressure numbers?
Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg, most of the time.

What are the risk factors for high blood pressure?

• Age: blood pressure tends to rise as you get older
• Race or ethnicity
• Family history
• High stress
• Too little exercise
• Poor diet
• Being overweight or obese
• Use of tobacco
• Drinking too much alcohol

What are the signs of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer.” This is because people may have high blood pressure without knowing it. Common symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nose bleeds
• Changes in vision
  
  

If you have high blood pressure, you are more likely to have high cholesterol.

Learn about the basics of high blood pressure, including its dangers, here.


What is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat in your blood. Your blood has two kinds of cholesterol in it—one is “good” (HDL) and the other is “bad” (LDL). High cholesterol happens when your blood has too much fat in it. Your provider can measure the amount of fat in your blood using a simple blood test (lipid panel).

High cholesterol does not have symptoms. You need to have your levels checked on a regular basis.

Test result target ranges are:

• LDL (“bad” cholesterol): 80-130 mg/dL
• HDL (“good” cholesterol): more than 50 mg/dL
• Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL

High blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol can lead to major health problems such as:

• Heat attack
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Vision problems or vision loss

Make regular visits to your primary care provider (PCP). Talk with them about how to maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

What are some ways to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol?

• Exercise regularly
• Eat a healthy diet by reducing salt and fatty or greasy foods
• Limit or stop tobacco use
• Limit or stop alcohol use
• Maintain a healthy body weight (lose weight, if needed)
• Review your medicines with your PCP. Some medicines can increase your risk for high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Click here to learn more about cholesterol.

Resources
Molina has the following no-cost programs available to members:

• Molina My Health - Weight Management Program
  For adult members, age 18 and older, who are interested in losing weight (except for those
  scheduled for bariatric surgery). A Case Manager will work closely with you to develop a weight management plan of care, make sure your plan of care is individualized to meet your needs, and help you reach your weight loss goals.
  
  
• Molina My Health – Nutrition Consult Program
  Molina offers a Nutrition Consultation Program to support your nutrition health needs. A Registered Dietitian will work closely with you to understand your needs, together you will develop an individualized plan of care, and they will provide you with the tools and aids needed to better self-manage your health conditions. 
  
  

• Molina My Health – Living with Heart Failure
  For adult members, age 18 and older, who have a diagnosis of heart failure. Members will learn from their Case Manager about heart-healthy eating, monitoring your weight, reporting symptom changes to the doctor, and the importance of daily activity and taking medications as prescribed.
  
  

• Molina My Health – Living with Hypertension
  For adult members, age 18 and older, who have a diagnosis of high blood pressure. Members will learn from their case manager about heart-healthy eating, monitoring blood pressure, the importance of daily activity, and the importance of taking medications as directed.
  
  

• Molina My Health – Tobacco Cessation Program
  For adult members, age 18 and older, who are ready to quit tobacco use. A specially trained Health Educator will work closely with you to develop a tobacco cessation plan of care that is individualized to meet your needs and support you through the quit process.
  
  For more information on these programs and more, please call our Health Management Department at (866) 891-2320 (TTY/TDD: 711).
  
  

•  Other resources to help you quit smoking: smokefree.gov 
  
  

Transportation
Nonemergency transportation for medical and behavioral appointments is available for Apple Health (Medicaid) members. For more information, visit: HCA.WA.Gov/Transportation-Help.