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How to manage high blood pressure

Ideal blood pressure is usually lower than 120/80 mm Hg.

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by LINDWE DANFLOW

News04 July 2023 - 14:22
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In Summary


  • Untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems.
  • Doctor David Ochieng says some of the ways that can be used to reduce high blood pressure at home is mostly working on your diet by using a low salt diet, low red meat and low fat, especially saturated fats.
Members of the public get their blood pressure checked on March 9, 2023.

High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the arteries.

It is also known as hypertension.

Ideal blood pressure is usually lower than 120/80 mm Hg.

There are two stages of blood pressure.

Stage 1 hypertension: The top number ranges from 130 to 139 mm Hg and the bottom number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg.

Stage 2 hypertension: The top number is 140 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher.

Untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems.

Doctor David Ochieng says some of the ways that can be used to reduce high blood pressure at home is mostly working on your diet by using a low salt diet, low red meat and low fat, especially saturated fats.

Ochieng says regular physical exercise will make the heart strong and help maintain a healthy weight too.

"Anything that stresses you should be managed," he says.

Ochieng says people should make sure they get enough sleep between 7 to 9 hours daily.

"If pressure is persistent, do follow-up clinics but in some cases, high blood pressure is inherited," he says.

Ochieng says grapes have potassium and phosphorus which helps in reducing the risk of high blood pressure.

"It is very important to keep on checking your blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor at home," he says.

Also, the use of iodized salt helps to control high blood pressure

Ochieng says low blood pressure is easy to manage.

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