If you have high blood pressure, you’re not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. And while there’s no cure, there are things you can do to manage it. Here are some tips to help you get started. High blood pressure is a common problem in America, affecting 1 in 3 adults. Although there is no cure, there are ways to manage it. Experts say that eating certain foods can help lower blood pressure and maintain healthy blood pressure. Here are some tips to get you started.
The Dangers of High Blood Pressure
There are over 60 million Americans that have high blood pressure. According to the CDC, almost 28% of U.S adults (78 million) do not meet the federal government guidelines for heart-healthy behaviors. While you may be able to chalk up bad habits to your mid-20s, it does not make losing weight easy after age 40. Learning new ways to eat can help too. Finally, if you are over 55, there is a 20% chance you have already been diagnosed with dementia.
The healthy and unhealthy blood pressure ranges
Blood pressure is measured in two numbers, one for the top number, the systolic pressure, and the other for the bottom number, which is the diastolic pressure. Hypertension occurs when the maximum number is more significant than 140 over 90, or the bottom number is more critical than 90 over 120. First, have your levels checked by a doctor to handle high blood pressure. Many people don’t know that having high blood pressure increases your risk of stroke and heart attack.
How to lower blood pressure
Identify the stressors causing high blood pressure. These can be significant life changes or smaller events like working long hours, not getting enough sleep, or missing a meal. Build healthy habits to reduce your stress and improve your health. For example, exercise regularly and get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. If you are not eating healthy meals or relying on fast food, consider making healthy swaps until you have created a nutritious diet. After creating a healthy lifestyle, adopt a more mindful approach to daily.
Low blood pressure concerns
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a health problem that affects more than half of all U.S. adults. For the most excellent chances of longevity and lifespan, aim to keep your systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 and your diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89. Keep in mind that confident lifestyle choices can boost your risk of developing hypertension, so get moving and be mindful of your diet to achieve optimal wellness.
Things You Should Keep In Your Mind:
- What is the difference between high blood pressure and stroke?
- What are the causes of high blood pressure?
- How do you know if you have high blood pressure?
- What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
- How is high blood pressure treated?
- Can high blood pressure be prevented?
How to maintain healthy blood pressure
High blood pressure is not a lifestyle; it is a medical condition that you can have and control. So, what do you need to know to maintain healthy blood pressure? About one-third of your body’s fluids are in your blood; if that starts to become blocked, your body will begin to send out distress signals through the nervous system. You may feel tired or weak, experience headaches, forget things, sweat a lot at night, feel like you want to eat more salt, or crave high sodium.
Foods that help lower blood pressure
Unless you have lived under a rock, we are all aware of high blood pressure. The good news is that there are many types of foods that can lower your blood pressure and lifestyle changes you can make to prevent it from happening in the first place. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults aged 18 years and older are responsible for a staggering 80% of strokes. However, only 20% of stroke patients have high blood pressure. Not only can it be an early indicator of stroke, but high blood pressure can also be caused by many factors other than having a stroke. So how do you know if you have high blood pressure?
Foods that raise blood pressure
Want to know what raises your blood pressure? A few words you might want to avoid are red meat, salt, and sugar. Instead, focus on healthy eating habits, getting more physical activity, and by all means, no smoking! Smoking is the cause of mortality from heart disease in men and women. When it comes to worrying about high blood pressure, taking care of yourself is everything!
Conclusion
If you’re one of the estimated 75 million Americans with high blood pressure, you might be worried about a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for both. But there’s good news: by making some lifestyle changes and working with your doctor, you can get your blood pressure under control and reduce your risk of these severe problems.
