How can I manage my blood pressure?
Managing your blood pressure can help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, vision loss and kidney failure. Thankfully there are several important things you can do:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Losing weight can have a direct impact on lowering blood pressure
- Increase physical activity
- Regular physical activity can help lower weight, lower stress and reduce blood pressure
- Choose an activity that you enjoy such as walking or bike riding
- Target 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week
- Don’t smoke and limit exposure to second-hand smoke
- Reduce alcohol intake (maximum two drinks daily for men and one drink daily for women)
- One drink is any of the following: 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits
- Use medications as recommended by your physician
- You may need one or more medications to help control your blood pressure. Never stop taking your medications without consulting your physician
- Measure your blood pressure on an ongoing basis
- Eat a heart healthy diet that comprises vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat diary, poultry, fish, legumes and nuts
- Limit sodium, sweets, saturated fats, sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat
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