Manage your lifestyle

PEOPLE with high blood pressure may not feel symptoms. The only way to know is to get your blood pressure checked.

Things that increase the risk of having high blood pressure include: older age, genetics, being overweight or obese, not being physically active, high-salt diet and drinking too much alcohol.

Non-modifiable risk factors include a family history of hypertension, age over 65 years and co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease. Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats. Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is t140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is t90 mmHg.

Most people with hypertension don’t feel any symptoms. Very high blood pressure can cause headaches, blurred vision, chest pain and other symptoms. Checking your blood pressure is the best way to know if you have high blood pressure. If hypertension isn’t treated, it can cause other health conditions like kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.

These lifestyle changes can help prevent and lower high blood pressure. Do:

Eat more vegetables and fruits.

Sit less.

Be more physically active, which can include walking, running, swimming, dancing or activities that build strength, like lifting weights.

Lose weight if you’re overweight or obese.

Take medicines as prescribed by your health-care professional. Keep appointments with your health-care professional.

Don’t:

Eat too much salty food (try to stay under 2 grams per day) Eat foods high in saturated or trans fats

Smoke or use tobacco

Drink too much alcohol (1 drink daily max for women, 2 for men) Miss or share medication. |