Lower Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher.  Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure.  It is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Some people don’t find out they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys.

The National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that keeping your blood pressure down is very important!  Keeping it low decreases your chances of having a stroke or a heart attack.  It also reduces the risk of congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and dementia.  Many people who are being treated for high blood pressure aren’t getting their blood pressure low enough. 

The good news is that high blood pressure can be treated and controlled.  Changing your lifestyle can lower your systolic blood pressure (the top number) by 20-50 points or more.  Losing as little as 10 pounds, eating more of some foods and less of others, and being more active can make a big difference!  Even if you still need drugs, lifestyle changes may make the drugs work better and reduce the amount you need.