Eye on Health is looking at a prevalent problem in the Greater Lowell area this time, high blood pressure. Here is a question-and-answer session on the topic with Dr. Kirk Macnaught, cardiology chief of the Heart + Vascular Center at Lowell General Hospital.
Q: Dr. Macnaught, why is high blood pressure often referred to as the “silent killer”?
A: We call it the “silent killer” because, except in cases of extreme elevation, a patient cannot feel that their blood pressure is high. Many people are completely unaware that they have hypertension because there are no obvious symptoms. If they are unaware, the condition goes untreated. Over time, untreated high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and even blindness.
Q: The 2025 Greater Lowell Community Health Needs Assessment, conducted by the Greater Lowell Health Alliance in collaboration with Lowell General Hospital, shows more than 40% of residents in the Greater Lowell region have high blood pressure. Why is hypertension so prevalent in this area?
A: While 40% is high for Massachusetts — where the state average is around 30% — it is consistent with national trends, as close to half of all adults in the U.S. have hypertension. Lowell’s rate is slightly above the state average, which is a pattern we often see in urban areas across Massachusetts, where rates of chronic diseases like hypertension can run a bit higher.
Q: What role do routine check-ups play in managing blood pressure?
A: Yearly physicals and routine check-ups are extremely important for both diagnosing and treating hypertension. Regular screenings allow for early diagnosis and prompt treatment. At Tufts Medicine Lowell General Hospital, we have advanced diagnostic tools right here in the community — from echocardiography and cardiovascular imaging to noninvasive heart monitoring — so patients don’t have to travel far to get answers.
It’s also important to remember that the risk of hypertension increases with age. Just because your blood pressure was normal at 50 doesn’t mean it will be at 52 or 54.
As our bodies change — and we may gain five to 10 pounds over the years — it’s crucial to ensure blood pressure isn’t creeping above the healthy target reading of 130/80. Nationally, only about 20% to 25% of patients with hypertension have their blood pressure well controlled, which is why ongoing check-ups are essential to confirm that your current treatment or medications are actually working.
Q: What are three realistic lifestyle changes Greater Lowell residents can make today to lower their blood pressure?
A: There are three realistic goals I recommend. First, reduce your sodium intake to 1,500 to 2,000 milligrams per day. The typical American diet contains 3,000 to 5,000 milligrams daily. In Lowell, we have a large Khmer population whose traditional meals can be high in sodium, so diet education is an important part of treatment for those patients.
Second, weight loss. I have seen marked improvement in blood pressure control in patients who lose weight, whether through diet changes, bariatric surgery, or GLP-1 medications. Even a modest weight loss of five pounds has been shown to improve blood pressure.
Third, exercise. Move your body! Exercising promotes weight loss and improves blood pressure control. Exercise has consistently been shown to reduce death rates, meaning patients can actively lower their risk of dying by building movement into their daily routine. Simply going for a walk each day can help you live longer. I encourage my patients to walk for about one hour a day if they can.
Visit www.tuftsmedicine.org to learn more about how you can keep your heart healthy.
Eye on Health: Lowell General Hospital experts tackle the top health issues facing those living, working, and learning in Greater Lowell.
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