May is High Blood Pressure Education and Stroke Awareness Month
Weakened or blocked arteries in the brain put us at a much higher risk for stroke, which is why managing our high blood pressure is critical to reducing stroke risk. A stroke threatens our ability to think, move, and function. It can also affect language, memory, and vision. A severe case may even cause paralysis or death.
Are you at higher risk for HBP?
Luckily there are some risk factors that can be improved or treated:
• Cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
• Diabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• High cholesterol
• Physical inactivity
• Poor diet (high in sodium, low in potassium, and drinking too much alcohol)
Control high blood pressure by taking these steps:
• Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a healthy diet low in sodium and saturated and trans fat. Limit sweets and red and processed meats.
• Eat fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, and nuts. Include foods rich in potassium.
• Be physically active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.
• Limit alcohol to no more than two drinks a day if you’re a man and one drink a day if you’re a woman.
• Take all medicines as prescribed to control your blood pressure.
• Know what your blood pressure should be and try to keep it at that level.
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