Weight and the Effect on Your Blood Pressure
Try to lose weight, if you are overweight. It does strain your heart to carry extra weight. Also, as people gain weight, their blood pressure tends to rise. Losing weight can make high blood pressure drop back down. Your healthcare providers can help you pick a diet that's right for you. A low fat, low cholesterol, and low salt diet will usually be recommended along with an exercise program.
A moderate exercise program will help keep your heart and blood vessels in shape. Many people think this means you have to exercise hard every day. Not true. Even walking at a brisk pace three days a week, for 30 to 60 minutes a day is considered "regular physical activity" by the American Heart Association. Your healthcare provider can help you with an exercise plan.
