May is hypertension awareness month, a good time to spare a little more attention to the subject.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure is common though it often has no symptoms. Sadly it is one of the risk factors for some very serious illnesses: heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and dementia. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is generally defined as 130/80 mmHg or higher. When was the last time you checked yours?
Lifestyle changes, eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise can help lower blood pressure. There are also medications that your doctor can prescribe. This May be proactive about your blood pressure by doing one thing – whether it’s booking a blood pressure check, calling a dietitian, or having a conversation with your doctor about a treatment plan.
