About 1 in 3 U.S. adults have high blood pressure. Blood pressure depends on how much blood your heart is pumping and how much resistance there is to blood flow in your arteries. If you have narrow arteries, your blood pressure will be higher.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, makes individuals high-risk for developing a wide variety of other health conditions and diseases, including cardiovascular ones such as heart disease and stroke. Some of these diseases are among the leading causes of death in the U.S. Taking steps and making lifestyle changes to avoid high blood pressure is crucial to living a healthy life.
Here are some tips t to help avoid developing high blood pressure:
Be Physically Active
Staying physically active can help you maintain a healthy weight and therefore maintain healthy blood pressure. It is recommended that adults get at least 2
hours and 30 minutes of moderate to intense exercise every week.
Have a Healthy Diet
Having a healthy, wholesome diet is key to avoiding High Blood Pressure. Some foods that you should incorporate into your diet that contribute to lower blood pressure include fruits and vegetables. Be sure to create a diet that is rich in potassium, fiber, and protein and low in sodium and saturated fat.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese makes an individual high-risk for developing HBP and therefore cardiovascular diseases. To determine if your weight is at a
healthy level, you should calculate your BMI (body mass index). To maintain a healthy weight, it is crucial to maintain a good diet and stay physically active.
Do Not Smoke
Smoking contributes to high blood pressure and therefore cardiovascular diseases as well as a variety of other health conditions. If you do smoke,
quitting will help you avoid high blood pressure and maintain an overall healthy life.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can increase your blood pressure. It is recommended that men should have no more than two alcoholic drinks per
day and women should have no more than one alcoholic drink per day.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is important because it keeps your heart and your blood pressures healthy and maintains overall good health. Not getting enough restful sleep each night is linked to HBP and cardiovascular diseases.