High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition, and the risk for it rises with age. About 60 percent of Americans age 60 and older suffers from it. It can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, and other problems.

Now the good news: Not only can healthy habits cut the risk of developing hypertension, but they also can help people with this condition to keep it under control.

According to Dr. John Snell, DO, with Four Rivers Internal Medicine, if you have hypertension, you should take this advice to heart:

• Manage your weight. Losing just 10 pounds can reduce blood pressure in overweight people with hypertension.
  
• Exercise regularly. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise—such as brisk walking—on most, if not all, days of the week is one of the best ways to manage hypertension. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate workout.
  
• Limit alcohol. If you drink, do so only in moderation. For men, this means no more than two daily drinks, and for women, no more than one drink per day.
  
• Restrict sodium intake. Consume no more than 2.4 grams of sodium—equal to about 1 teaspoon of table salt—daily.
  
• Follow a heart-healthy diet. In addition to limiting sodium, it’s wise to cut back on total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
  
• If you smoke, quit. Smoking significantly raises blood pressure.

“If your doctor prescribes medication for you, take it exactly as directed. But healthy habits are still important. They may help your medicine work better,” Snell says.

Want to learn More?
For more information about blood pressure and cardiac services at Western Baptist Hospital, call Baptist Health Line at 270-575-2918.