When is the last time you had your blood pressure checked?
\nDo you have high blood pressure? If you answered no, ask yourself this: are you absolutely sure?
\nThe 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.
\nHigh 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.
\nBlood 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.
\nSo how can you help prevent high blood pressure from sneaking up on you?
\n\u00b7 Eat a healthy diet- Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and lower your sodium intake.
\n\u00b7 Maintain a healthy weight- Being overweight can raise your blood pressure.
\n\u00b7 Be physically active- Adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for two hours and thirty minutes each week.
\n\u00b7 Don’t smoke- Smoking injures blood vessels and speeds up the hardening of arteries.
\n\u00b7 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.
\nFortunately, 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. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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