“Why are you taking my blood pressure?”
February is American Heart Month, don’t be surprised if someone takes you blood pressure when you come into Westside Optometry for your next eye examination. (Not just in February but all year long, your health matters every day of the year.)
There are often no symptoms of high blood pressure, so many people are unaware that they are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Measuring blood pressure is usually the first step to uncovering an individual’s risk for heart attack, stroke and damage to many important organs like the heart, brain, kidneys and EYES.
The good news is that, in most cases, you can manage your blood pressure to reduce your risk for serious health problems.
Many people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure into a healthy range by making lifestyle changes:
- Getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week (about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
- Not smoking
- Eating a healthy diet, including limiting sodium (salt) and alcohol
- Keeping a healthy weight
- Managing stress
To learn more about how high blood pressure effects the eyes – Click Here.
