Ageless - AUTUMN 2022

Taking On
High Blood
Pressure
Until you have high blood pressure, those
numbers given out after the squeezy arm
cuff is taken off don’t mean a thing.
140 over 85. Is that OK?
When you have high blood pressure, you understand
that the higher number is the Systolic and the lower
number is the Diastolic. You also understand that
140 over 85 is not where you want your blood pressure.
The general rule is to get the Systolic number under 120-
and the Diastolic number under 80. Medicine is usually
prescribed to treat high blood pressure. However, there
are things that can be done outside the doctor’s office
to bring your blood pressure numbers down.
Lose Weight
Exercise regularly
Adjust your diet
Limit the alcohol
Even 10 pounds
can make a
difference.
30 minutes a day most
days of the week is
recommended.
Add in whole grains,
fruits, vegetables and
low-fat dairy products.
High blood pressure risk goes up
with more than one drink a day for men
and women older than 65 and for more
than two a day for men under 65.
Cut back
on the salt
Quit smoking
Get enough sleep
Reduce your stress
Use herbs or
spices instead.
Each cigarette
increases blood
pressure for many
minutes after you finish.
Fewer than six hours of
sleep for weeks or months
at time can contribute to an
increase in blood pressure.
Easier said than done but finding
ways to keep stressful situations
to a minimum can get your blood
pressure where it needs to be.
Ageless AUTUMN 2022 7