Control Your Blood Pressure
Controlling your blood pressure is critical. According to JNC VII (the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure):
• Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm.Hg
• A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg to 139/89 mm Hg is called “prehypertension.” Those in the 130/80 mm Hg to 139/89
mm Hg range are at twice the risk of developing high blood pressure
• A blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or above is considered high blood pressure
Even though you may not feel high blood pressure, it is a major risk factor for many kinds of health problems including:
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Kidney disease
• Heart failure
Everyone with high blood pressure should try to reduce it to recommended levels. Some ways you can help keep your blood pressure under control:
Exercise: Get regular exercise. Set aside 30 minutes a day for brisk walking, bicycling, or aerobics.
Shake the high-salt habit: How much salt do you need a day? Just 500 milligrams, or 1/10 teaspoon; this is about 200 mg of sodium. Most folks get 15 times their daily need from food and the salt shaker.
Healthy diet: Fill up on vegetables, fruits, and low fat dairy foods.
Take medications: Take the medications prescribed by your doctor.
Monitor your numbers: Keep your blood pressure checked.
About 59 million Americans have pre-hypertension. If they could get into the normal range, nearly half of all heart-related deaths could be prevented.