blood pressure
Practice Downward Dog
Break out that exercise mat: Regular yoga and meditation have been found to lower blood pressure. Researchers in a Yale University study found that a six-week yoga and meditation program improved blood vessel function by 17 percent in those who are healthy and an amazing 70 percent in those who already have heart disease. Yoga also helps reduce stress and improve flexibility.
Monitor Your Blood Pressure While Taking Birth Control Pills
Taking birth control pills? Have your blood pressure checked at least twice a year. The risk of high blood pressure while on the pill goes up if you are overweight, smoke, have a family history of hypertension or had high blood pressure during pregnancy. If you fall into one of those categories, you may want to consider an alternate birth control method.
Roundtable: High Blood Pressure
Did you know that one in three American women have high blood pressure, which is another name for hypertension? It is a leading risk factor for heart disease, but one that can usually be controlled and sometimes even prevented.
Top Cereal or Oatmeal with Flaxseed
Flaxseed contains soluble fiber and alpha linolenic acid (ALA), both of which are thought to improve heart health. Soluble fiber, like the fiber found in oatmeal, can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, while ALA, a heart healthy Omega 3, may improve inflammation, ease arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) and lower blood pressure.
Track Your Resting Heart Rate
Post-menopausal women with a resting heart rate of 76 beats per minute or above are much more likely to have a heart attack than those with a resting heart rate of 62 beats per minute or lower, found researchers at George Washington University. A woman’s resting heart rate is theorized to be as an important an indicator as cholesterol or blood pressure.
Pay Attention to Neck Size
A large neck may be linked with an increased risk of heart disease in both men and women, found researchers in a recent Framingham Heart Study. Those who had larger necks were also more likely to have higher levels of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and higher blood pressure. If you suspect you may be at risk, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a heart health screening.
Shelve the Salt Shaker
A recent study found that if Americans cut just one gram of salt from their diet every day, there would be 250,000 fewer new cases of heart disease each year. Salt has long been known to raise blood pressure rates, which can lead to heart disease. Most of the sodium in American diets comes from canned soups and frozen meals so always read labels.
An Unhappy Marriage Can Put Your Heart at Risk
Women who are unhappy in their marriage are more likely to have high blood pressure and be obese, two risk factors which can increase a woman’s risk of heart disease. Researchers at the University of Utah, where the study was conducted, suspect the link occurs because women are more likely to internalize their feelings and base their self-worth on the success of their relationship.
Sodium is in More Than Just Your Salt Shaker
When it comes to lowering your blood pressure, lowering your sodium intake is critical. Most people don’t realize that the majority of sodium we eat each day comes from processed foods and not the table salt we add to foods when cooking. Be sure to check the sodium content on the Nutrition Facts label when buying packaged foods.
Soothing Music Can Lower Your Blood Pressure
Try listening to classical music, such as Mozart, to lower your blood pressure. Researchers at Seattle University found that seniors who listened to Mozart three times a week saw a 7 mm/Hg reduction in their blood pressure. A study in Florence, Italy, found similar results when adults listened to soothing classical, Celtic, or Indian music.
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