If your blood pressure (BP) is elevated, but not yet high enough to be called hypertension, your doctor will counsel you to promote healthy habits. An elevated BP raises your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other problems. A healthy lifestyle can lower your BP. Your doctor may suggest:

  • Weight loss
  • Exercise
  • Healthy diet
  • Reduce salt
  • Add potassium to diet
  • Only drink alcohol moderately (up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men)

Sometimes your doctor will have you check your BP at home. Keeping track of your BP can help you and your doctor make the right treatment decisions.

Healthy lifestyle habits can lower your BP. Your doctor will check your BP again in 3 to 6 months and see if it is going down.

Healthy Habits = Less Pressure, More Health!

Elevated Blood Pressure Definition

Table 1: Elevated Blood Pressure Definition from the 2017 ACC/AHA Hypertension Guidelines