High blood pressure, or hypertension, means your heart works harder to pump blood through your body. It often has no warning signs, but can lead to:
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Kidney problems
About one-third of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and many don’t know they have it until health problems appear. You can protect your heart with small steps:
- Eat less salt and processed food
- Be active for 30 minutes most days
- Limit alcohol
- Avoid smoking
- Manage stress
A healthy reading is below 120/80 mmHg – keep a log or use a home monitor to track your numbers. Get your blood pressure checked at a Chinese Hospital clinic, pharmacy, or health fair.
Sources: American Heart Association, CDC, Mayo Clinic
