Hypertension and Reproductive Health Social Media Toolkit for Family Planning Agencies

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major preventable risk factor for heart disease and stroke. 1 in 5 deaths among women in the U.S. is caused by heart disease and 1 in 5 women in the U.S. will have a stroke. Visit us to learn how to prevent hypertension! 
• Did you know that high blood pressure can affect your fertility? If you have high blood pressure, you may be at increased risk for infertility. Visit us to learn more! 
• If you have high blood pressure, some hormonal birth control methods can increase your risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Visit us to learn more and check your blood pressure! 
• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the leading—and most preventable—contributors to maternal death. Visit us to learn more and check your blood pressure! 
• High blood pressure during pregnancy increases your risk of complications and poor birth outcomes. Getting your blood pressure under control before becoming pregnant can help prevent issues. Visit us to learn more and check your blood pressure! 
• High blood pressure during pregnancy is a leading cause of death during and soon after pregnancy, especially among Black birthing people. To support you in having a healthy pregnancy in the future, your family planning providers can help you now by checking your blood pressure and, if needed, helping you manage high blood pressure. Ask us at your next appointment! 
• Did you know that rates of chronic hypertension and hypertension during pregnancy are especially high among Black women? Black women also have a higher risk for pregnancy complications due to hypertension. Visit us to learn more and to get your blood pressure checked now to support you in having a healthy pregnancy in the future!

• If you have high blood pressure, getting good sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly can help you manage it! Come see one of our providers to make a plan to manage your blood pressure so you can live your best, healthiest life.
• Preventing and managing high blood pressure starts with eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting good sleep, not smoking, and limiting alcohol. We can help you manage your blood pressure so you can live your best, healthiest life.
• Did you know that hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and pregnancy complications? The good news is that hypertension is preventable. Take control of your health by coming in to check your blood pressure.
• Regularly monitoring your blood pressure can help lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, complications during and after pregnancy, and poor birth outcomes. You can check your blood pressure at the clinic, at a pharmacy, or even at home. Visit us to learn more!

• American Heart Association. (2021). Go Red for Women. Women and Risk of Stroke Infographic. https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/risk-factors/risk-of-stroke-in-women-infographic 
• American Heart Association. (2023). The Facts About High Blood Pressure. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Women and Heart Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). 5 Surprising Facts About High Blood Pressure. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/5_surprising_facts.htm 
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Improve Maternal Health. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/call-to-action-maternal-health.pdf

This toolkit was supported by the Office on Women’s Health (Grant ASTWH200090). The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.