The winningest coach in NFL history comes to Baltimore to raise awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure.

Kellye Lynn reports former Baltimore Colt player and coach Don Shula came to the University of Maryland to share his experience.

Shula says during his time in Baltimore, he learned he had high blood pressure. It's a diagnosis he's been able to manage with medication and a healthier lifestyle.

With cameras flashing, Shula wasn't in Baltimore to talk football.

The man who played with and later coached the Colts says the game plan now is to raise awareness about high blood pressure.

"On the sideline your blood pressure goes up and down depending on what's happening on the field. I had it checked out and found out I did have high blood pressure," said Shula.

The disease reflects hardening of the blood vessels and represents atherosclerosis and stiffened blood vessels," said Dr. Mandeep Mehra, Chief of cardiology at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine.

Dr. Mehra says the obesity epidemic has contributed to the increasing prevalence of high blood pressure, a problem that affects nearly one in three people in the U.S.

"If your blood pressure is higher than 120 over 80 you have pre-hypertension and a high risk of developing high blood pressure in the near future," said Dr. Mehra.

"A lot of people have hypertension and they feel it's part of their life and I urge them to find out if there's something you can do about it," said Shula.

"Exercise, watch the salt in their diet and stay away from obesity that's critical," said Dr. Mehra.

Stephanie Dampier has lost 35 pounds since January. It's enough to stop taking her high blood pressure medication.

"If it's something I can control with diet and weight loss I'm going to do it," said Dampier.

Coach Shula also lost 32 pounds, but the restaurateur admits the challenge now is keeping them off.

"We came back from a cruise and I was 10 pounds heavier than when I was on the cruise. Cruises are not good to go on if you want to control your diet," said Shula.

Most people who have high blood pressure don't know it because it can strike without symptoms. That's why it's so important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

High blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.

 

 News Source: WJZ TV - Baltimore