Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico | Blue for Your Health | Spring 2021

Back to asthma basics High blood pressure: 4 must- know facts While nearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure, many don’t know it. That’s because it doesn’t cause obvious symptoms. Here are four more facts to know about this condition. 1. Untreated high blood pressure is dangerous. It raises your risk of a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss. But once it’s detected, it can be controlled . 2. Family history and race are risk factors. If your parents or a close blood relative had high blood pressure, you’re more likely to get it too. And African Americans tend to develop high blood pressure more than any other racial group in the U.S. 3. Your lifestyle choices matter. An unhealthy diet (especially one that’s high in sodium) can raise blood pressure. So can being inactive or overweight or drinking alcohol. The good news: Healthy habits can help prevent and lower high blood pressure. 4. Medicine may also be a part of treatment. If your provider wants you to take blood pressure medicine, use it exactly as prescribed. Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health Asthma is a long-lasting disease that can be very harmful. The good news is that with proper care, you or your loved one with asthma can live a normal, healthy life. The more you can learn about asthma, the better you and your loved ones can manage living with it. The American Lung Associa- tion’s Asthma Basics course is offered in English and Spanish as a self-paced, online learning program or an in-person work- shop. The program is for people with asthma; parents of children with asthma; and co-workers, friends and family members. It is designed to help people learn more about asthma. This pro- gram teaches you to: ■ Know and control triggers (causes) ■ Know the value of an asthma action plan ■ Be aware of and respond to a breathing emergency A highlight of the program is the “What Is Asthma?”video that shows the three main changes in the airways during an asthma episode. For more tips and to sign up at no cost for the American Lung Association’s Asthma Basics online course, please visit lung.org/asthmabasics . Need medical care? Schedule an appointment with a provider who is in the Blue Cross Community Centennial network. If you need help locating a provider, please contact Member Services at 866-689-1523 (TTY: 711 ). If you need a ride to your provider appointment, call ModivCare (formerly LogistiCare), at least three working days before your visit, at 866-913-4342 (TTY: 866- 288-3133 ). Centennial Rewards are available. To learn more, visit centennialrewards.com or call 877-806-8964 (TTY: 844-488-9722 ). This information is not in- tended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Schedule a visit with your provider to seek advice for any questions regard- ing a medical condition. Source: American Lung Association, lung.org 6 Blue for Your Health Spring 2021