High blood pressure is an extremely common health condition that affects over half of the adults in the United States. Among other health problems, high blood pressure has been linked to blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Because this “silent killer”, as it’s known, can lead to so many other dangerous health issues, it’s important that senior adults stay knowledgeable about new tips and guidelines regarding high blood pressure.
Recently, the criteria for what constitutes high blood pressure was revised under new guidelines that state that a blood pressure of 130/80 millimeters of mercury or greater are now considered to be high. Anyone whose blood pressure meets these new guidelines should talk to their doctor about changing their lifestyle.
While there is no cure for high blood pressure, there are certain things you can change that can help to lower your blood pressure, such as:
- Be active for 30-60 minutes a day
- Maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Don’t smoke
- Eat a low sodium diet
- Avoid drinks that are high in sugar
- Drink no more than two alcoholic drinks a day
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly
For more information on blood pressure and maintaining a healthy blood pressure, visit the American Heart Association’s website.
Thanks for sharing the necessary guidelines. I am sure it can be helpful for seniors who don’t have enough knowledge about how to tackle a major or minor disease. Avoiding alcohol and high-sugary foods can be effective in mitigating the risk of high blood pressure.