By Sheree Crute
May is High Blood Pressure Education month, so it’s a perfect time to check in with yourself and your physician to see how you are doing and perhaps make an adjustment or two.
You have likely heard the phrase “know your numbers.” It means keeping track of how well you are doing at keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range. It is super important because hypertension does not produce early warning signs that you are at risk for complications like a heart attack or stroke.
A quick check up can produce huge benefits, especially for Black women. Recent studies report that Black Americans are 40% more likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure, but we reap significant benefits, including a far lower risk of cardiovascular disease if our blood pressure is in a healthy range. Try this simple advice:
- Assess your pressure: Visit your pharmacy, a local clinic or your physician to check your levels, but also invest in an at-home blood pressure monitor or double-check the one you have to see how well it is working. Your insurer or Medicare may cover at-home monitors, as well as blood pressure check-ups.
- Choose an easy way to chill. To reduce stress, try The Guided Meditation for Black Women Mix on Spotify, check out Therapy for Black Girls’ A Meditation for Grounding on YouTube, or pick up a copy of Oludara Adeeyo’s newest book, Meditations for Black Women: 75 Mindful Reflections to Help You Stay Grounded & Find Inner Peace.
- Check out new healthy recipes. Reduce your salt and sugar intake. Take a look at the Southern Mediterranean Diet, for healthy, soul-inspired recipes.
- Take a stroll. A little bit of exercise can be life changing when it comes to lowering blood pressure, so get out and enjoy a walk, run or maybe take a bike ride.
Whatever you choose, have a wonderful, heart healthy season!
Sheree Crute is editor-in-chief of FierceforBlackWomen.com.
