Know and Control Your Blood Pressure
Heart disease KILLS more NEW YORKERS than anything else. High blood pressure puts you at risk.
- • High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading and treatable cause of heart disease and stroke.
- • 1 in 4 adult New Yorkers has been told he or she has high blood pressure.
- • Because there are usually no symptoms, the only way to know you have high blood pressure is to get checked.
- • People can often prevent or control high blood pressure by eating a heart-healthy diet low in salt (sodium) and getting more physical activity.
- • Medications to lower blood pressure are safe and effective.
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High Blood Pressure Is Dangerous
- • Untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, problems with blood vessels and blood flow, kidney and eye problems, and early death.
- • Blacks are more likely than other groups to have high blood pressure.
- • To find out about your risk of heart disease, please visit Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention's interactive website [Español], which has a risk calculator on heart disease as well as other conditions.
Know Your Numbers
- • Blood pressure is measured with 2 numbers. It is written with one number over the other, such as 120/80.
- • Both systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) numbers are important.
- • Have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you need to find a doctor, see the Health Bulletin #23: How to Find a Doctor (PDF).
- • People with pre-hypertension should take action to control their blood pressure through lifestyle changes.
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Make Lifestyle Changes
Make your diet heart-healthy.
- • Limit your salt (sodium) intake.
- • Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- • Eat less trans and saturated fat.
- • Choose lean meat and fish.
- • Limit your alcohol intake.
For more information on a heart-healthy diet, please visit the National Institutes of Health's Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH page.
Get moving!
- • Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as a brisk walk) at least 5 days a week. Resource guide on physical fitness programs in your community.
For more tips, including examples of moderate-level physical activities, check out this guide. If you're an adult over the age of 60, a senior center near you may offer heart healthy activities for you to join. For more information, see the list of Health Promotion Activities at Senior Centers Sites.
Maintain a healthy weight.
- • If you are overweight, losing as little as 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure.
If you smoke, quit now.
- • If you have high blood pressure and smoke, you more than double your risk of a heart attack. For more information on smoking, including tips and resources for quitting, visit The Dangers of Smoking page.
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Take Prescribed Blood Pressure Medications
- • If your doctor prescribes medications, take them as directed; do not miss any doses. For information on specific drugs that your physician may prescribe, please visit Consumer Reports Health.org.
- • Helpful resources to help you take your medications as prescribed:
For more information on reducing your risk for heart disease and stroke, see our publications and resources.
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Monitor Your Blood Pressure Outside the Clinic
- • If you have hypertension (high blood pressure) and can’t get it under control with lifestyle changes and medications, monitoring your blood pressure at home may help.
- • Automated blood pressure monitors can be purchased at pharmacies. Sometimes insurance covers the cost.
- • Talk to your doctor to see if this is the right option for you.
- • The Health Department has teamed up with local pharmacies to offer free blood pressure checks in certain areas of East and Central Harlem, North Central Brooklyn and the South Bronx. See a list of participating pharmacies (PDF). If you don't live or work in these neighborhoods, many pharmacies around the city also have blood pressure machines where you can get your blood pressure checked for free, so check out your local pharmacy.
- • Use a blood pressure tracking card to record your blood pressure readings and share them with your doctor.
- • Blood Pressure Tracking Card (PDF)
Other languages:[Español].
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