High Blood Pressure?
Here's What You Can Do
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the pressure of blood against the artery walls is higher than normal. Often called "the silent killer," high blood pressure usually has no symptoms and increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. It is a dangerous condition when left untreated. The good news is that you can lower your blood pressure by making changes in your lifestyle and by taking medication if necessary.
Get More Active
Start with increasing your activity. Being more active is good medicine. Even 5 to 10 minutes of walking is a good start. Over time, try building up to 30 to 45 minutes a day doing whatever exercise you enjoy most.
Exercising...
- may directly lower your blood pressure
- is a great way to cope with stress and helps you feel better
- helps you lose weight
Maintain a Healthy Weight
If you are overweight, losing weight can help reduce your blood pressure. Unfortunately, there is no magic way to lose weight. Research shows that fad diets, prescription medications, herbal supplements, and starvation diets do not work for the long term. People who are successful at losing weight and keeping it off for the long-term . . .
- become more physically active
- develop healthy eating habits
- adapt healthy behaviors little by little and stick with them over time
Stop Smoking
If you don’t smoke, great! If you do smoke, becoming a non-smoker may be the most important step you can take for your health. Quitting smoking will help to lower your blood pressure.