Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions to improve your heart health? Now is a great time to improve your heart health because February is American Heart Month.
One way to check up on your heart health is by monitoring your blood pressure. You can do this by asking your doctor or nurse to write down your blood pressure numbers at your next visit. A normal blood pressure is less than 120/801.
Having a high blood pressure can increase your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Eighty million Americans have high blood pressure 2. High blood pressure doesn’t just affect men; women make up 50% (about half) of the population with high blood pressure3. Among women, the risk of having high blood pressure is especially increased for those age 65 years or older3. Sometimes, there can be no symptoms of high blood pressure, but since high blood pressure can contribute to heart disease risk, making sure your blood pressure is in the good range is an important way to work on your heart health2.
Here are a few things that you can do:
♥ Talk to your doctor about your blood pressure and whether your doctor feels your blood pressure is in the right range.
♥ Eat a well-balanced, low-salt diet
♥ Enjoy regular physical activity
♥ Take your medications properly
♥ Limit Alcohol
♥ Maintain a healthy weight
Achieve your New Year’s resolution for a healthy heart this year, and talk to your doctor about your heart health!
References:
- http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/MakeChangesThatMatter/Changes-You-Can-Make-to-Manage-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_002054_Article.jsp#.WIJtmzszXcs
- http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/Common-High-Blood-Pressure-Myths_UCM_430836_Article.jsp#.WHUgDzszXcs
- 3http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/UnderstandYourRiskforHighBloodPressure/High-Blood-Pressure-and-Women_UCM_301867_Article.jsp#.WHUdXTszXcs
