4 TexasHealthMansfield.org Visiting your primary care provider for blood pressure checks can play a crucial role in preventing strokes. These routine checkups can reveal any concerning trends in your blood pressure, which is important since high blood pressure can damage arteries and other blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of a stroke. “A lot of people have high blood pressure, and they don’t even know it,” says Hussein Alammar, MD, an internal medicine doctor at Texas Health Hospital Mansfield. If your blood pressure is elevated, studies show that lowering it just a little can significantly lower your stroke risk, he notes. Lower your stroke risk Schedule a checkup with Dr. Alammar at TexasHealthMansfield.org/ Alammar. Check your pressure, protect your life High blood pressure can lead to a stroke Start with these steps: ● Reduce your intake of salt and sodium, which can boost blood pressure. ● Follow a healthy eating plan, like the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Rich in potassium, DASH emphasizes foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as nuts, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products. “Eating foods rich in potassium has been shown to reduce blood pressure,” Dr. Alammar says. ● Get regular exercise, like brisk walking. ● Shed pounds, if you’re overweight. ● Manage stress. Consider meditation, mindfulness or guided breathing, Dr. Alammar suggests. ● Take blood pressure medications as directed. They are often prescribed in combination with healthy lifestyle changes.
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