Try to read food labels so you ll know which foods are high in sodium. Ask your doctor if you re allowed to drink alcohol and if so, how much you re allowed to drink. If you drink more than two ounces a day. If cutting back on alcohol is hard for you to do on your own ask about community groups that can help. An inactive lifestyle is a risk factor for heart disease.
Regular exercise helps to control weight and reduce stress.
It s best to start slowly and do something you enjoy, like taking walks or riding a bicycle. Talk to your health care professional about a good plan for you. There are different types of medicine your doctor may prescribe for you. Don t be discouraged if you need to take medicine from now on. Sometimes you can take smaller doses after your blood pressure is under control, but you may always need some treatment.