HEALTH & WELLNESS
Healthy lifestyle tip:
blood pressure and your health
Certain risk factors for high blood pressure are
unhealthy foods.
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM ing
• Diet pills. Diet-suppression aids often
well known: obesity, aging, heredity, smoking, a
contain stimulants, which can raise blood
diet high in sodium. But did you know that other
pressure.
factors can influence how high your numbers go?
•
Pain
relievers.
Nonsteroidal
anti-
High blood pressure, also called hypertension,
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibu-
affects as many as one in three adults and has been called the “si-
profen (Advil), aspirin and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can raise
lent killer” because it often goes undetected. Left untreated, high
blood pressure by causing the body to hold on to salt and wa-
blood pressure can lead to a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure.
ter, making the kidneys work less efficiently.
A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm Hg or above is now con-
•
Decongestants. Certain decongestants and cold medications
sidered too high.
may elevate blood pressure.
You can combat high blood pressure through lifestyle changes
• Prescription medications. These include Celebrex, Ritalin
and also with medication. But first, learn what other factors may
and Epogen, as well as antidepressants Wellbutrin, Zyban, Ef-
be making your numbers spike:
fexor, Nardil and some immunosuppressants.
• Exercise. Long-term high blood pressure can cause enlarge-
• Herbal supplements. Bitter orange, ephedra, ginseng, lico-
ment and stiffening of the heart, but the short-term blood
rice and St. John’s Wort can raise blood pressure levels and
pressure elevation caused by exercise doesn’t hurt this all-im-
also affect blood pressure medications.
portant organ. In fact, exercise helps the heart pump more
• Too much alcohol. Excessive amounts can raise your blood
efficiently.
pressure, as well as interfere with blood pressure medica-
• Stress. Blood pressure can rise as a response to distressing
tions.
events, but once the stress disappears, blood pressure returns
to normal. However, frequent temporary spikes in blood
For an appointment with a Deborah specialist or more informa-
pressure can affect blood vessels, the heart and kidneys much
tion about how Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s leading-edge
like persistent high blood pressure can. When you’re stressed,
technologies can improve your quality of life, call 800-555-1990
you’re also more likely to engage in blood pressure-elevating
or request info/an appointment by visiting www.demanddeborah.
org.
behavior, such as smoking and drinking excessively and eat-
72
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ AUGUST 2017