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May is High Blood Pressure Education Month

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about hypertension — a condition that affects nearly half of American adults and is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. As your FCMG clinician can tell you (and explain in more depth!), high blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high. Often termed the “silent killer,” it typically presents no symptoms, making regular monitoring crucial.

 

Managing Your Blood Pressure

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can positively impact your blood pressure levels:

  • Eat a well-balanced diet: Embrace the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.

  • Incorporate physical activity: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

  • Limit Alcohol: Reducing alcohol consumption can decrease blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, and help you maintain a healthier weight.

  • Quit Smoking: Kicking the habit improves circulation and reduces the strain on your heart, resulting in a lower blood pressure.

These lifestyle changes not only help in managing blood pressure but also contribute to overall cardiovascular health.

 

Women's Health and High Blood Pressure

May is also Women's Health Month! Young and middle aged women, in particular, may think of high blood pressure as something that happens later in life, but high blood pressure can occur at any age and during pregnancy. Women should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year and talk to their FCMG provider about what their numbers mean for them.

 

Take Control of Your Heart Health

In recognition of High Blood Pressure Education Month, FCMG is pleased to share these excellent, free educational resources from the National Heart, Blood & Lung Institute (NIH) and the American Heart Association.

Please don't hesitate to speak with us about questions or concerns you may have about your blood pressure — or ways to achieve and maintain an optimal, healthy blood pressure!

Contact FCMG today to find a location near you, or schedule an appointment with us. Our clinicians are here to help!