Experts estimate nearly one in four adults has high blood pressure, or hypertension. If you're African American, Hispanic, middle-aged, elderly, overweight, a heavy drinker or you take oral contraceptives, you're at special risk. To keep your blood pressure under control, learn to manage stress in your life, exercise regularly and limit your salt intake to less than 1,100 milligrams to 3,300 milligrams per day. Still, lifestyle modifications sometimes aren't enough. If your blood pressure is consistently high, talk to your doctor.
Many effective medications are available.
Smoking is one key risk factor you can control. About half of all heart attacks in middle-aged women are linked to smoking. Recognize the signs. Symptoms of cardiovascular problems tend to be more subtle in women than men. These symptoms could indicate other less serious problems, but don't take a chance and wait or simply ignore them.