The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 24, Number 7 | Page 24

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | October 2018
Healthy Living Tips from
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TIPS: Tips to Lower High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, often causes few or no symptoms. Left untreated, however, it can
weaken your arteries and damage your heart.
Healthy lifestyle choices, such as changing your diet and increasing your activity level, can help you control your
blood pressure. In some cases, heart-healthy habits may help prevent the onset of hypertension. If your blood pres-
sure is already high, changing some of your habits may be enough to manage the condition. Even if you need
medication, the tips below can enhance the effectiveness of your medication and are good for your overall heart
health.
Here are 6 steps you can take 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 5-10 pounds can reduce stress on 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 recommends no more than one drink a day for women and two
drinks a day for men.
Take medications as prescribed--If your doctor recommends medication to control your high blood pressure,
follow instructions carefully.
For more information about how Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s leading-edge
technologies can improve your quality of life or an appointment with a Deborah
specialist, please visit our website: www.demanddeborah.org ~
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