Control your blood pressure

Millions of Americans are diagnosed with high blood pressure every year. This disease is known as the silent killer, because you can have it and don’t know it. And worst, it can kill you before you even know that you had it.

Getting your blood pressure checked regularly is one good way to avoid being taken by surprise. If your doctor says that your blood pressure is fine, great. But if it is borderline, you will need to take certain measures to make sure that it goes down, or at least doesn’t get any higher.

On the other hand, if you are so unfortunate as to be told that you have high blood pressure, don’t be scared. There are some things that you can do to control your blood pressure and prevent further health problems.

One of the first steps to controlling your blood pressure is to pay attention to your diet. A diet that is packed with fiber, high in anti-oxidants, especially fish and other excellent sources of omega-3-fatty acids, low in fat and cholesterol, and balanced in calories will help to keep your blood vessels healthy.

If you are overweight, your doctor will suggest that you lose the excess weight. You will also need to cut back on your intake of salt, particularly if you are salt-sensitive.

Exercise also plays a big role in keeping the blood vessels and the muscles of the heart healthy. So, don’t overlook the importance of getting out and getting the exercise you need.

Finally, stress can wreak havoc on your body and send your blood pressure soaring. And since stress is a fact of life, the key to avoiding stress-related high blood pressure is to find wholesome ways of coping with those unpleasant and really stressful situations as they arise.

Helpful tip: Choose foods high in fiber and low in sodium.

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