"We hope this brochure will convince older Hispanic women of the importance of controlling their hypertension. Most of all we hope that it will motivate them to adopt a healthy lifestyle and to take any medications prescribed by their physician," said NHLBI Director Dr. Claude Lenfant.

As they age, at least 50% of Hispanic women are predicted to develop hypertension. More than half of all women over age 60 have this condition which, if uncontrolled, can lead to heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, stroke, and other complications. While three of every four women with high blood pressure know they have it, fewer than one in three are controlling it.

"Older people, especially women, need to take action and communicate with their doctors about high blood pressure." said Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research. "That is why we have developed this Spanish-English brochure, which will allow us to communicate with an even broader audience about the importance of being heart healthy!"

Individuals can obtain a free copy of the Spanish-English brochure by calling the NHLBI/ Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health Information Line at 1-800-282-9126. For consumers or health care providers who wish to order multiple copies, email the Alliance at info@agingresearch.org or write to the Alliance for Aging Research, 2021 K Street, NW, Suite 305, Washington, DC 20006. A clinical guide is also available for professionals.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is one of 18 Institutes that comprise the National Institutes of Health. NHLBI provides leadership for a national program in diseases of the heart, blood vessels, blood, lungs and the use of blood and the management of blood resources. The Alliance for Aging Research is the nation's leading citizen advocacy organization for research to improve the health and independence of older Americans. This program is made possible by a professional grant from Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc. The Alliance for Aging Research has a Web site at: www.agingresearch.org