Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 4-22-22

Health
High blood pressure (HBP), or hypertension, is a medical issue that is dis- proportionately high in the African American commu- nity.
Due to this fact, manag- ing hypertension is crucial and finding ways to lower your blood pressure natu- rally is even better.
Blood Pressure Chart
To better understand hy- pertension and where you fall concerning blood pressure lev- els, being familiar with the blood pressure chart and know- ing where you fall on the chart
is helpful.
Normal – Systolic: Less
than 120 mm Hg; diastolic – Less than 80 mm H
At-Risk or Prehyperten- sion – Systolic: 120-139 mm Hg; diastolic – 80 -89 mm Hg
High Blood Pressure –
Systolic: 140 mm Hg or higher; diastolic – 90 mm Hg or higher
Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
Just as there are a number of symptoms associated with hypertension, there are just as many natural ways to lower blood pressure as well. They in- clude:
Physical activity, such as cy- cling, jogging, or walking, can make your heart stronger. Ex- ercise is also a cheaper option that does not require you to go to the gym.
More Sleep
Increasing the amount of sleep you get regularly can lower your blood pressure; try sleeping for seven to eight hours per night.
Hypertension is just one of the many diseases that smok- ing complicates; nicotine can increase your heart rate and hypertension, as well as in- crease the risk of heart attack
and blood clots.
Stress Management –
Stress hormones can increase the heart rate and also narrow blood vessels, so learning to deal with stress is a natural step toward lowering HBP.
Reduced Alcohol – Too much alcohol can increase hy- pertension.
Reduced Caffeine – Too much caffeine can result in a spike in blood pressure.
Reduced Sugar – Too much sugar can contribute to hypertension.
Exercise
No Smoking
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 9-B