Five Simple Steps to Control Your Blood Pressure

Your HBP deserves your attention

Uncontrolled high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) can be fatal. If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, these five simple steps can help you keep it under control:

Know your numbers

Most people diagnosed with high blood pressure want to stay below 130/80 mm Hg, but your health care professional can tell you your personal target blood pressure.

Work with your doctor

Your health care professional will help you make a plan to lower your blood pressure.

Make a few lifestyle changes

In many cases this will be your doctor’s first recommendation, likely in one of these areas:

Maintain a healthy weight. Strive for a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9.
Eat healthier. Eat lots of fruit, veggies and low-fat dairy, and less saturated and total fat.
Reduce sodium. Ideally, stay under 1,500 mg a day, but aim for at least a 1,000 mg per day reduction.
Get active. Aim for at least 90 to 150 minutes of aerobic and/or dynamic resistance exercise per week and/or three sessions of isometric resistance exercises per week.
Limit alcohol. Drink no more than 1-2 drinks a day. (One for most women, two for most men.)