What should I do if I have high blood pressure?

Even if you have had a prior stroke or heart attack, controlling high blood pressure can help prevent another one. Take these steps:

• Lose weight if you’re overweight.

• Eat a healthy diet that’s low in salt, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.

• Eat fruits and vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.

• Enjoy regular physical activity.

• 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. Check with your doctor about drinking alcohol; it can raise blood pressure.

• Take medicine as prescribed.

• Know what your blood pressure should be and try to keep it at that level.

If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you should:

• See your physician
• Cut down on salt and fat intake
• Exercise regularly
• Keep your weight in the normal range
• Limit your caffeine intake
• Take your hypertension medicine as directed

Elevated blood pressure can result in poor health and needs to be treated.  First, if this is the first blood pressure elevation and your blood pressure does not exceed 160/100, you should start the DASH diet and start daily exercise.  In 3 months you should return to your primary care physician with your blood pressure log.  If your blood pressure is still elevated your doctor will suggest some lab tests and start you on medication to lower your blood pressure.  This is best monitored by yourself and your physician.