Cardiovascular Disease
By: Joceline Martinez
What is it?
High blood pressure is a common disease in which blood flows through blood vessels (arteries) at higher than normal pressures.
Causes
Changes, either from genes or the environment, in the body’s normal functions may cause high blood pressure, including changes to kidney fluid and salt balances, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, sympathetic nervous system activity, and blood
Healthy Eating
To help treat high blood pressure, health care providers recommend that you limit sodium and salt intake, increase potassium, and eat foods that are heart healthy.
Physically Active
Routine physical activity can lower high blood pressure and reduce your risk for other health problems. Talk with your health care provider before you start a new exercise plan. Ask him or her how much and what kinds of physical activity are safe for you.
Medicines
Blood pressure medicines work in different ways to stop or slow some of the body’s functions that cause high blood pressure.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent high blood pressure from developing. It is important to check your blood pressure regularly. Children should have their blood pressure checked starting at 3 years of age. If prehypertension is detected, it should be taken seriously to avoid progressing to high blood pressure.