Some Answers About High Blood Pressure Goal Blood Pressure. For most people with high blood pressure, the goal is less than 140/90 mmHg. Goal blood pressure may be even lower if other conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or a previous heart attack are present. Healthy Weight. Several factors determine healthy weight. Height, age and current and previous medical conditions all determine what is a healthy weight. Measure your waist. If it is greater than 35 inches (women) or 40 inches (men), you probably have excess abdominal weight and may benefit from weight loss. The best way to lose weight is to do so over a period of time. Begin by increasing physical activity. Walking 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, can help. Cutting back on high-calorie foods and eating smaller portions are also useful. Talk to your doctor to determine a healthy weight for you and how to get there. Lifestyles. Choose a healthy eating plan. Cutting back on salt can help many people lower their blood pressure. For those taking blood pressure medicines, a lower-salt diet may help the medication work better. Read food labels and remember that 2,400 milligrams of sodium is the upper limit for 1 day. The DASH eating plan showed that eating fruits and vegetables and lowfat dairy products also can help lower blood pressure. Don’t forget to stay physically active. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation—no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women. And, for all the reasons you have heard, don’t smoke. High Blood Pressure Medications. Many different types of medication lower blood pressure. They work in different ways, and some people take two or more to help them control their high blood pressure. Some medications should be taken with food and beverages, whereas others should not. You should know all the medications you are taking, and when and how you are supposed to take them. If you don’t know, ask your pharmacist or doctor. Blood Pressure Still High. Your blood pressure may remain high even after taking your medication, losing weight, and cutting back on salt. Don’t give up! There are things you and your doctor can do. First of all, be sure you are taking your medication as prescribed. This is important. Second, your doctor may be able to increase the dose of your medication, add another drug, or change medications altogether. The most important thing is to work with your doctor and follow his or her advice, and if you do have questions, talk to your doctor. Want More Answers? Visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at www.nhlbi.nih.gov Back to Fact Sheets |
