BLOOD PRESSURE (BP) REDUCERS

MANY PEOPLE RELY ON MEDICATION TO TREAT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (BP), BUT CERTAIN LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN ALSO HELP BRING THE NUMBERS DOWN.

REDUCING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (BP) WILL CURB YOUR RISK FOR STROKE, HEART ATTACK, AND DEMENTIA.

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS RECOMMEND THESE STEPS TO REDUCE BP:

• EXERCISE MORE. - Moderate-intensity activities like brisk walking are effective if done for at least 150 minutes a week, while higher-intensity jogging may do the job in half that time.
• LOSE WEIGHT. - Your heart and blood vessels work harder if you're carrying extra pounds.
• CUT DOWN ON SALt. - Aim for no more than 2,000 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day.
• NO ALCOHOL. - Some sources usually say limiting alcohol to one drink a day is usually OK, but how many people usually do this. So, No Alcohol is best.
• MANAGE STRESS.
• DON'T SMOKE. - If you do smoke, please STOP!

SOURCE: "Blood Pressure Creeping UP? How To Bring It Down Without Drugs," Harvard Women's Health Watch, 4/17.