But have you checked your blood pressure lately? It may save your life.

Without a current blood pressure reading, you may not know if you’re among the 86 million Americans with high blood pressure. That’s one in three American adults. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because it may have no warning signs or symptoms, so many people don’t know they have it. That’s why it is important to check your blood pressure regularly.

The good news is that you can take action to prevent hypertension or to manage it if your blood pressure is already high.

Preventing hypertension can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. Practice these healthy lifestyle habits:

1.   Eat a healthy diet

2.   Keep yourself at a healthy weight

3.   Be physically active

4.   Don’t smoke

5.   Limit alcohol

6.   Get enough sleep

If you already have high blood pressure it is important that you control it. Here are some tips:

1.   Measure your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure monitor

2.   Visit your doctor or nurse to have your blood pressure checked

3.   Take medications as prescribed by your medical provider

4.   Limit sodium in your daily diet.

Tip the odds in your favor and take action to prevent or manage your hypertension to lower your cardiovascular risk.

Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion , Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention