ASK THE PHYSICIAN
S. Justin Szawlewicz, M.D.
Attending Cardiologist
Vice Chair, Medical Staff
Getting help with weight loss
Q: Just a few weeks back, my doctor said I am “borderline” for high
blood pressure. Is there anything I can do to help lower it?
Jim W., Manasquan
A: Jim, it’s good to know when you have borderline high blood
pressure (BP). Being aware of it means you can take steps now to
lower your BP before it increases and becomes a medical concern.
Particularly in light of new guidelines released by the American
College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, with the
new “normal BP” being under 120/80, we all need to be aware of our
BP and do what we can to keep it under control.
You can take these steps to lower your BP without medications:
• Exercise four or more times per week if your doctor says it is OK
• Lose weight if you are overweight
• Eat healthier foods that are low in salt and in fat, and add some
foods that are higher in fiber (roughage), such as vegetables,
whole grains and fruits
• Cut down on caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks)
• Quit smoking
• Look at unhealthy stressors in your life and minimize or elim-
inate them
Follow your doctor’s instructions, and keep adding up those
healthy lifestyle changes!
Ask the Physician
For an appointment or more information about how Deborah Heart
and Lung Center’s leading-edge technologies can improve your quality
of life, call 800-555-1990 or request info or an appointment by visiting
www.demanddeborah.org.
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ FEBRUARY 2018 75