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Know Your Numbers!

Know Your Numbers!

February is American Heart Month, so take a moment this month to check in on your heart health, better understand your blood pressure, and talk to your healthcare provider about ways to keep your heart strong!

10 Key Facts About Blood Pressure for Men and Women in the U.S.

1️⃣ Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure. – About 47.7% of adults have hypertension, with 50.8% of men and 44.6% of women affected.
📌 Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (cdc.gov)
2️⃣ Age plays a big role in hypertension rates. – Hypertension affects 23.4% of adults aged 18–39, 52.5% of those aged 40–59, and 71.6% of those 60 and older.
📌 Source: CDC (cdc.gov)
3️⃣ Many people don’t know they have high blood pressure. – Around 40% of people with hypertension are unaware, and men are less likely to know due to fewer doctor visits.
📌 Source: Verywell Health (verywellhealth.com)
4️⃣ Women’s blood pressure rises faster with age. – Although men tend to have higher blood pressure early in life, women experience a sharper rise starting in their 30s.
📌 Source: National Library of Medicine (nih.gov)
5️⃣ Blood pressure control is still a challenge. – Only 20.7% of adults with hypertension have their blood pressure under control at less than 130/80 mm Hg.
📌 Source: CDC (cdc.gov)
6️⃣ Medication use varies between men and women. – About 51.2% of people with hypertension take medication, with women more likely to be on treatment than men.
📌 Source: CDC (cdc.gov)
7️⃣ Young men have higher rates of hypertension than young women. – Among adults 18–39 years old, 30.0% of men have high blood pressure compared to 16.4% of women.
📌 Source: CDC (cdc.gov)
8️⃣ High blood pressure increases stroke risk, especially for women. – Women over 65 with hypertension are at a higher risk for strokes than men in the same age group.
📌 Source: American Heart Association (heart.org)
9️⃣ Regular exercise can help lower blood pressure. – Just 5 minutes of vigorous exercise daily can significantly lower blood pressure over time.
📌 Source: EatingWell (eatingwell.com)
🔟 Awareness of hypertension is improving but still needs work. – Among those with hypertension, 59.2% know they have it, with awareness higher in women (63.6%) than in men (55.2%).
📌 Source: CDC (cdc.gov)

“It’s such a beautiful race,” she said. “The scenery is breathtaking, and the crowd energy is amazing. My mom has come up both years to cheer me on, which also makes it really special.” Whether she’s racing along the island’s winding roads or venturing into Acadia’s trails, Caitlin has found that being outdoors recharges her and deepens her appreciation for the intersection between health, resilience, and nature, a passion that has inspired her next step.

After residency completion this year, Caitlin is pursuing a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine, a field that perfectly blends her love for the outdoors with her dedication to emergency care. “Working at MDI Hospital has been an example of the merger between helping people in challenging environments and working closely in nature that I hope to experience during fellowship,” she said.

Reflecting on her time at MDI Hospital, Caitlin expressed deep gratitude for the people and experiences that have shaped her journey. “I plan to use the skills I have learned across my rotations at MDI Hospital going forward into my medical career so that I can provide great patient-centered care,” she said. “I will also remember the wonderful people I have met and cared for here who have helped shape my medical training to date.”

Whether running along the rugged coastline or responding to patients in the ED, Caitlin has found that MDI offers the perfect mix of challenge, inspiration, and community. It’s no surprise that for her, coming back to Mount Desert Island felt less like returning to a rotation, and more like coming home.

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