When is the last time you had your blood pressure checked?
Do you have high blood pressure? If you answered no, ask yourself this: are you absolutely sure?
The truth is, you could have high blood pressure right now and not even know it. And if you do, you’re at increased risk of developing heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death.
High blood pressure is actually a fairly common condition, affecting about one in three U.S. adults. But it tends to sneak up on people with little or no warning, that’s why it’s so important to have your blood pressure checked regularly- so if it is high you and your doctor can make a plan to get it under control.
Blood pressure, which is the force of blood against your artery walls as it circulates through your body, doesn’t always stay constant. In fact, it’s completely normal for blood pressure to rise and fall throughout the day, but it can cause health problems, like heart disease and stroke, if it stays high for a long period of time.
So how can you help prevent high blood pressure from sneaking up on you?
· Eat a healthy diet- Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and lower your sodium intake.
· Maintain a healthy weight- Being overweight can raise your blood pressure.
· Be physically active- Adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for two hours and thirty minutes each week.
· Don’t smoke- Smoking injures blood vessels and speeds up the hardening of arteries.
· Limit alcohol use- If you do drink alcohol, you should do so in moderation- no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected at a variety of locations, such as your doctor’s office, local pharmacy, or right in your own home using an automatic blood pressure cuff. And once your high blood pressure has been detected, you can work with your doctor to control it with lifestyle changes and medication, if necessary.