High blood pressure has no symptoms. If you want to be proactive, it’s very important to periodically check your blood pressure. Especially if you’re over 50, and or you have any significant stress in your life. When identified early enough, high blood pressure can often be controlled without drugs. If you find that your blood pressure is beyond your control, then taking medication for this can be very important.

Privacy - the benefits of getting testing done that no one else has to know about.

Sodium potassium ratio - more important than total sodium intake. If you get enough potassium, it offset the amount of sodium you consume. The best place to get potassium is from food, not from a supplement.

The latest blood pressure guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology. High blood pressure = 140/90. Normal = 120/70. New category: ELEVATED blood pressure = 120-129/70-90. New treatment recommendations: Use lifestyle modifications only 3 months—relaxation techniques, better sleep, exercise and potassium from food. Avoid overtreating older patient’s blood pressure with medication, and any patients who get dizzy or lightheaded when standing quickly—a classic sign that you’re taking too much or the wrong kind of blood pressure medication.

Lower your own blood pressure by getting 75 minutes per week of intense exercise, or 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise.

This show aired Friday, September 13, 2024 on KDAR 98.3 FM.