Know your numbers
Have your blood pressure tested at least once every two years after age 20. Learn what's normal and which numbers put you in the danger zone.
Lower than 120/80: Ideal
120-139/80-89: Borderline -- you are likely to develop hypertension in the future
140/90 or higher: Too high
If your pressure is too high, you should visit your doctor ASAP and discuss ways to get your pressure lower. If you're borderline, you should still seek medical attention.
Change your diet
Eating right may be all you need to do to keep your blood pressure healthy. A diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat and cholesterol has been shown to lower blood pressure. If you're overweight, try to lose 10 pounds. (To lose one pound a week, cut 500 calories per day by dieting and exercising.) Avoid foods that are high in sodium, and don't have more than one alcoholic drink each day. And start moving: Exercise will get your metabolism percolating and help you slim down. for you.
Ask about prescription drugs
Evidence suggests that women as a group have been undertreated for high blood pressure. If lifestyle changes don't bring your blood pressure down, ask your doctor if drugs can help. Diuretics, which reduce the amount of fluid your heart has to pump through your body, are usually prescribed first; angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which widen blood vessels, are another common choice. If your blood pressure is not under control within three weeks of starting medication, ask your doctor if you should increase your dose or add another class of drugs.
Whether you're in your 20s, 30s or 40s, there are important health tests you should get each year. to see which ones you need to know about. Then learn at your next visit.
Every month ALL YOU magazine has health advice for real women. and start thinking about yourself for a change!
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