Be Healthy Information

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer. That’s because it poses a serious health threat, yet it doesn’t always have symptoms. While some people are at higher risk than others, there are risk factors you can control. Managing them can help you keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.  

Know your risk factors 

Start by visiting your doctor to discuss your risk factors and get a blood pressure reading. While you’re there, you might want to ask these questions:  

1. Which risk factors do I have that I might be able to control? These may include lifestyle factors, such as being overweight or eating too much salt or junk food. Others may be stress, getting too little exercise, using tobacco, and drinking too much alcohol.  

2. Which risk factors do I have that I have that I can’t control? Risk factors that you can’t control include growing older, having a family history of high blood pressure, being African American, and, in certain cases, being of Native American or Asian ancestry. 

Know what you can do about your risk factors 

Ask your doctor what you can do to manage the risk factors that you can control. These may focus on stress or on your weight or on foods you eat. Work with your doctor to figure out lifestyle changes that may help you manage your blood pressure. If possible, write down a plan for lifestyle goals that will help you lower your risk of high blood pressure. 

Know your target numbers 

Your doctor will recommend that you keep your blood pressure within a certain range. Be sure to write these numbers down and keep them handy. And don’t forget to write down your blood pressure reading from your appointment. You can reference this later when you take new blood pressure readings to help check your progress.