High blood pressure is a serious condition that puts stress on the heart and arteries, which can increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Your blood pressure is measured by two factors: The amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to the blood flow in the arteries. If you suffer from high blood pressure, it’s crucial to head to a primary care clinic right away so you can work with a doctor on a plan to get it under control.

3 Tips to Help You Control Your Blood Pressure

1. Lose Weight

Blood pressure levels increase as a person gains weight due to more stress on the artery walls. Losing weight is one of the most important changes you can make to naturally lower your blood pressure. You can achieve this by exercising at least 20 to 30 minutes a day and adopting a healthy, low-calorie diet.

2. Reduce Sodium in Diet

Consuming food and liquids with salt raises the amount of sodium in your bloodstream, and makes it difficult for the kidneys to remove the water. This leads to extra fluid and strain on the blood vessels leading to the kidney, which in turn increases your blood pressure. You can help control this by reducing the sodium in your diet to less than 1,500 mg a day.

3. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Excessive drinking, as in more than two drinks a day, can drastically raise your blood pressure. Alcoholic products, such as beer and liquor, are also high in calories and contribute to weight gain, which also affects your blood pressure levels. Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink can go a long way in lowering your blood pressure.

It’s important for people with high blood pressure to see a doctor at their primary care clinic for routine monitoring. If you’re located in the Mid-Willamette Valley, OR, turn to Santiam Hospital, the area’s leading primary care clinic, for top-quality health care services. They provide a variety of additional departments, from women’s health to diagnostic imaging. Contact the primary care clinic today at (503) 769-2175 to schedule an appointment or visit their website for more information about their full list of services.