Keeping Your Blood Pressure In Check

If you are anything like me, blood pressure and my health numbers sometime get put on the back burner! It is not until I consciously think about what I am eating, how I am feeling (usually when I have eaten something I am not supposed to), or after a weekend full of fun! Over the last few months, I have been making a conscious effort of eating healthier and being aware of my blood pressure numbers.

Keeping your blood pressure under control is one of the most important commitments you can make. High blood pressure can fly under your radar and can be a silent killer to cause long-term damage. It’s up to you to keep tabs on your blood pressure and to adopt some simple, but effective management strategies that can help you prevent your numbers from getting in dangerous territory. I have put this list together to help you (and help me) keep our blood pressure in check!

When I started the Going for Zero pledge with Omron Healthcare, I really did not understand the difference between the top number and the bottom numbers. Using the Omron EVOLV, a portable, wireless upper-arm blood pressure monitor made it much easier. With no tubes, wires or tabletop unit, the new sleek, one-piece EVOLV blood pressure monitor easily fits on the upper arm and clearly displays a blood pressure reading on the face of the device with a press of a button. Systolic (the top number) measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts (beats). Diastolic (the bottom number) measures the pressure between beats, when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood. When those numbers are high, it suggests the heart is working too hard to pump blood throughout the body.

These simple strategies may help you reduce it or keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

• Get your numbers checked regularly
• Get to a healthy weight
• Get moving

Regular exercise has been shown to decrease resting heart rate, which can decrease blood pressure. Brisk walking, cycling and swimming are just a few of the activities you can take up to maintain healthy blood pressure. Aim for at least four 30-minute aerobic exercise sessions each week.

• Reduce the stressors in your life

You can minimize stress and anger by managing your time, setting realistic goals for what you can accomplish each day, taking time for yourself and practicing relaxation techniques.

• Drink alcohol in moderation
• Limit your salt intake

Try herbs and spices to flavor meals instead of reaching for the salt shaker.

So, let me know what are you doing to keep your blood pressure in check?

Join Black Girls RUN! in the challenge! #OmronHealthcare #GoingforZero #EVOLV #Omron #hypertension #bloodpressure #hearthealth #medicaldevice

Black Girls RUN! has been provided compensation and the blood pressure monitoring equipment for this campaign.

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