Licensed for Cook, Will, & DuPage Counties
Controlling Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries.
Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats your heart is pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure.
When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.
- 119/79 or lower is normal blood pressure
- 140/90 or higher is high blood pressure
- Between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number is called prehypertension
- Prehypertension means you may end up with high blood pressure, unless you take steps to prevent it.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms which means you have no way of knowing that you have it.
High blood pressure can have serious consequences like stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.
You can control your blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure by healthy lifestyle habits like exercise and diet, and taking medicines prescribed by your doctor.
The DASH diet is effective in controlling and preventing high blood pressure.
DASH is an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Hypertension is another name for High Blood Pressure.
The DASH diet includes-
- Vegetables, fruits, fat free or low-fat dairy.
- Whole grains fish poultry, beans seeds nuts and vegetable oils
- LIMIT Sodium (Salt), sweets, carbonated sweet drinks, and red meat
Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries.
Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats your heart is pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure.
When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.
- 119/79 or lower is normal blood pressure
- 140/90 or higher is high blood pressure
- Between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number is called prehypertension
- Prehypertension means you may end up with high blood pressure, unless you take steps to prevent it.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms which means you have no way of knowing that you have it.
High blood pressure can have serious consequences like stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.
You can control your blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure by healthy lifestyle habits like exercise and diet, and taking medicines prescribed by your doctor.
The DASH diet is effective in controlling and preventing high blood pressure.
DASH is an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Hypertension is another name for High Blood Pressure.
The DASH diet includes-
- Vegetables, fruits, fat free or low-fat dairy.
- Whole grains fish poultry, beans seeds nuts and vegetable oils
- LIMIT Sodium (Salt), sweets, carbonated sweet drinks, and red meat
What does my lifestyle have to do with my blood pressure?
The things you do, and the foods you eat, have a big effect on your blood pressure and your overall health. Following the right lifestyle can:
- Lower your blood pressure or keep you from getting high blood pressure in the first place
- Reduce your need for blood pressure medicines
- Make medicines for high blood pressure work better if you do take them Lower the chances that you'll have a heart attack or stroke, or develop kidney disease
What does my lifestyle have to do with my blood pressure?
The things you do, and the foods you eat, have a big effect on your blood pressure and your overall health. Following the right lifestyle can:
- Lower your blood pressure or keep you from getting high blood pressure in the first place
- Reduce your need for blood pressure medicines
- Make medicines for high blood pressure work better if you do take them Lower the chances that you'll have a heart attack or stroke, or develop kidney disease
Which lifestyle choices will help lower my blood pressure?
Here's what you can do:
- Lose weight (if you are overweight)
- Choose a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, and low in meats, sweets, and refined grains.
- Eat less salt (sodium)
- Do something active for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
If you have high blood pressure, it's also very important to quit smoking (if you smoke). Quitting smoking might not bring your blood pressure down. But it will lower the chances that you'll have a heart attack or stroke, and it will help you feel better and live longer.
Here's what you can do:
- Lose weight (if you are overweight)
- Choose a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, and low in meats, sweets, and refined grains.
- Eat less salt (sodium)
- Do something active for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
If you have high blood pressure, it's also very important to quit smoking (if you smoke). Quitting smoking might not bring your blood pressure down. But it will lower the chances that you'll have a heart attack or stroke, and it will help you feel better and live longer.
Please contact us if you need more information on medication reminders, a homemaker, or other home care professionals.
Please contact us if you need more information on medication reminders, a homemaker, or other home care professionals.
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Phone: (708) 634-2450
Address: 4550 W 103rd, Suite 304 Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453-4866
Licensed by Illinois Public Health
Licensed for Cook, Will, & DuPage Counties
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