6 Things You Can Do Right Now to Reduce Your Risk of High Blood Pressure

It’s not surprising that high blood pressure causes countless patients to search for an “emergency room near me” in Houston, but what is surprising is that many of these patients don’t realize that there are things they could have been doing in their daily life to battle the condition and reduce the need for emergency care. Keep reading to make sure you’re incorporating these tips into your daily life if you’ve been told to get your blood pressure under control.

• Take a Break! That’s right – if you find yourself in a high-stress position – at work or in your daily activities — remember that your blood pressure is probably feeling the stress, too. Take time right now to calm yourself, take some deep breaths, and calm yourself.
• Get Up and Move. If you’ve been sitting and staring at a computer screen or you’ve been on a conference call or in a lengthy meeting, it’s time to get up and move. Research has shown that even moderate movement and activity can boost heart health and avoid needing an ER in Houston.
• Happy Hour Isn’t Always Happy. Yes, most people enjoy a good Happy Hour with friends. But alcohol – especially repeated drinking — can lead to more long-term blood pressure problems.
• Don’t Hate Us Because We’re Mentioning the “D” Word: Diet. You know the drill here. Since salt can increase the sodium level in your bloodstream – which can also increase your blood pressure – make a promise today that you will drastically cut back on your intake.
• Nicotine is Poison in So Many Ways. Most everyone knows that nicotine causes cancer. But what fewer people know is that every time a smoker inhales this toxic chemical, it triggers an instant spike in their blood pressure. How’s that for playing Russian Roulette?
• Enjoy the Rewards of Sleep. Yes, sleep not only helps restore your mind and body, but the down-time has other benefits such as helping to control blood pressure levels. However, if you’ve been tagged as a snorer, you may be suffering from sleep apnea which contributes to high blood pressure and other medical conditions.

Still Have Questions About Your Heart Health?

The caring and professional staff at Ascent ER are available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide a full-range of diagnostic testing in Houston to ensure your blood pressure remains healthy.