World health day was celebrated Sunday, April 7th. The date marked the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. This year’s theme was high blood pressure. At Optical options we decided to celebrate by putting together a few tips on how to keep your blood pressure out of the red zone.
Though blood pressure is not our specialty, we realize the effect it has on all of our patients. High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and is the leading cause of death in the United States. 67 Million Americans have high blood pressure. That is 1 in 3 people in our country. Here are a few tips to help you out.
- Make sure to follow your doctor’s orders. Whatever medications he/she gives you, make sure and take them! You would be surprised how many people don’t take their prescribed medications.
- Eat a healthy diet. Stay away from salty foods and foods that are high in fat and cholesterol. Eat lots of fruits and veggies.
- Incorporate light exercise into your daily routine. A brisk walk for 10 minutes, 3 times a day will do the trick.
- Quit smoking as soon as possible. Smoking causes plaque to build up in your arteries. This significantly increases your risk for a heart attack.
It is our wish for all of our patients at Optical Options to live a long and fulfilling life! On this world health day we encourage you to follow these basic suggestions in order to improve your overall health and wellbeing.
