Focus on Blood Pressure

For week 2 of American Heart Month, let’s tackle High Blood Pressure.

Blood pressure is the natural push of blood against your blood vessels as your heart is pumping. If this pressure rises and stays high, it is called Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure, and it can damage your blood vessel walls and your heart. It may be caused by certain medications or medical conditions, but is often caused by lifestyle factors, such as inactivity, eating too much sodium, or being overweight.

Just One Thing to do: Be your own best blood pressure advocate by adding some PHYSICAL ACTIVITY every day. This will strengthen your heart and blood vessels, and has been shown to control high blood pressure. Please check with your doctor first but then get moving – even walking 20 minutes/day will help!

Just One More Thing to do:  Eat less SODIUM! While not everyone is “sodium sensitive” – or seeing an increase in blood pressure with sodium intake – most people do consume too much. Highest sources of sodium are packaged foods such as canned soup, boxed dinners, frozen vegetables with cheese and sauce added, and pizza. Substitute low sodium versions of soup, cook whole grains from scratch, and enjoy plain frozen vegetables.

Check out more quick tips at my Facebook Page Just One Thing Nutrition!
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