HEALTH & WELLNESS
Tips to lower
high blood pressure
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM
High blood pressure, also called
hypertension, often causes few or
no symptoms. Left untreated, how-
ever, it can weaken arteries and
damage your heart.
Healthy lifestyle choices, such
as changing your diet and increas-
ing activity levels, can help control
your blood pressure. In some cases, heart-healthy habits may
help prevent the onset of hypertension.
If your blood pressure is already high, changing some of
your habits may be enough to manage the condition. Even if
you need medication, the following tips can enhance a drug’s
effectiveness and are good for overall heart health.
Here are six steps to help lower blood pressure:
• Follow a heart-healthy diet: Include lots of fresh fruits
and vegetables. Limit sodium and saturated fats.
• Lose weight: Losing just 5 to 10 lbs. can reduce stress on
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■ OCTOBER 2018
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the heart muscle and boost heart
health.
•
Stay active: Aim for at least
30 minutes of moderate-intensity
activity five days a week.
Manage your stress: Stress
•
hormones constrict blood vessels
and make the heart beat faster.
Limit alcohol: The American Heart Association recom-
mends no more than one drink a day for women and
two drinks a day for men.
Take medications as prescribed: If your doctor recom-
mends medication to control your high blood pressure,
follow the instructions carefully. d
For an appointment with a Deborah specialist or more infor-
mation about how Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s lead-
ing-edge technologies can improve your quality of life, call 800-
555-1990 or visit www.demanddeborah.org.