Hypertension/High Blood Pressure Health Center

The New Low for High Blood Pressure

The DASH Diet continued...

Studies have also shown that DASH is even more effective in controlling weight and reducing blood pressure when combined with a regular exercise program. If you can't fit in the newly-recommended one hour of physical activity a day, half an hour daily still beats never breaking a sweat.

Ultimately, say experts, those of us with prehypertension need to be more aware of our changing blood pressure rates. Sheps suggests monitoring your blood pressure on your own between doctor's visits, using a home blood pressure device. "Just make sure the cuff size is appropriate," he says. "It needs to cover at least 80% of the circumference of the arm."

Putting the brakes on the high blood pressure epidemic won't be easy. "It's always an uphill battle to get people to change their lifestyles," says Chobanian. Yet these days, when half of American adults are at risk for heart attack or stroke because of their blood pressure, doctors say it's time for a major public health effort.