Get to Know, Prevent and Manage: Hypertension

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher). This makes your heart work harder to pump blood through your body. Over time, this can lead to serious health complications, like heart attack or stroke. Hypertension is common but can be serious, even deadly, if not treated. 

Risk factors for Hypertension:

• older age
• genetics
• being overweight or obese
• lack of physical activity
• high salt diet
• drinking too much alcohol
• smoking tobacco
• living where there is significant air pollution

Some risk factors are modifiable. Making healthier lifestyle choices can reduce some of your risk factors for hypertension. 

Take these steps to reduce your risk of developing hypertension:

• Eat more vegetables and fruits
• Sit less
• Be more physically active
  • Get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity
• Do strength building exercises 2 or more days each week
• Lose weight if you’re overweight or obese
• Take medicines as prescribed by your health care professional
• Keep appointments with your health care professional
• Reduce stress
• Reduce exposure to polluted air

Try to avoid:

• Eating too much salty food 
• Eating foods high in saturated or trans fats
• Smoking or using tobacco
• Drinking too much alcohol
  • If you drink, do not exceed 1 drink daily max for women, 2 for men