The medical providers and staff at Southwest Medical Village support this goal and would like to share this important information with all of its patients and really anyone who might have, or be at risk for, high blood pressure or any kind of heart disease or stroke. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), people should aim for a blood pressure reading of less than 120/80 mm Hg. By managing your blood pressure, you can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke and even death. An estimated 80 million adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, but less than half of the people treated for high blood pressure have it under control. Below are some basic steps to help control your blood pressure.
- Check your blood pressure regularly and set goals with your doctor to get it to a healthy range.
- Track your blood pressure by logging your readings and bring the log with you to your doctor appointments.
- Embrace a healthy lifestyle by improving your diet (for example: reduced salt, minimal alcohol and avoiding tobacco/smoking), exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, lowering stress, and being compliant with your medication prescriptions.
All of the resources needed to help you keep your heart healthy such as family physicians, cardiologists, a pharmacy, a clinical lab, and weight loss programs are conveniently located within the Southwest Medical Village facility. For more information about these resources, visit the Services and Practices page on the SWMedicalVillage.com website. You can also learn more about heart health from the AHA at heart.org.