Did you know? More than 103 million Americans have high blood pressure—that’s almost half of all adults in the United States.

But as common as the condition is, people often have questions about it. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Southcenter wants to shed some light on what high blood pressure is and what you can do to prevent it.

How Does Blood Pressure Work?

To understand what high blood pressure is, you first need to have a good understanding of what blood pressure is. Blood pressure is defined as the pressure with which blood hits your artery walls as it moves through the body.

Normally, it moves along at a steady pace. But when your blood pressure is elevated, it’s hitting your artery walls with more intensity. Over time, this can damage those arteries, putting you at risk of blockages and heart disease.

Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure

• Advanced age
• African heritage
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Being overweight or obese
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Tobacco use
• Excess sodium or inadequate potassium in diet

What Can I Do to Prevent High Blood Pressure?

To keep your artery walls strong and your heart healthy, you want to maintain a normal blood pressure. How can you do that? Well, you want to start by mitigating any risk factors you have from the list above.

That means actively taking steps to live a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get enough quality sleep, limit your alcohol intake, don’t smoke and find ways to manage stress effectively. Certain foods you eat can even help you lower your blood pressure.

Blood Pressure-Friendly Foods

• Leafy greens
• Berries
• Beets
• Oatmeal
• Bananas
• Fatty fish
• Seeds

In need of medical care? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Southcenter for a diagnosis and treatment plan to get you back to your best.