Maintain a healthy weight to help control blood pressure

Obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure. Losing as little as 10lb can help lower blood pressure.

A study on the prevention of high blood pressure showed that those who lost 10lb and kept it off for 3 years had an average reduction of 5 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) systolic and 7 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure.¹

If you are 10% or more above your healthy weight range, losing just a few pounds often can reduce your blood pressure and may allow you to take less medicine to control your blood pressure.

Exercising and reducing total fat and calories in your diet will help you lose weight. Limit total fat to 30% or less of your total calories. Limit saturated fat to 8% to 10% of your total calories. The amounts of fat and saturated fat in foods are usually printed on the nutrition information labels.

Losing weight can help lower your cholesterol levels as well.

Citations

1. Whelton PK, et al, (2002). Primary prevention of hypertension: Clinical and public health advisory from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. JAMA, 288(15): 1882–188.