Disability Law Claims Blog

Blood pressure: Read why it's so important to have it checked regularly, especially if you're a woman.

Did you know that approximately 35 million women in the U.S. suffer from high blood pressure? What's worse is that only about a third of those women know it. The rise in uncontrolled hypertension in women can be attributed to the use of anti-inflammatory medicines, such as drugs used to reduce pain and inflammation, and expanding waistlines. 

While fighting high blood pressure can be difficult, there are ways to control it, such as with medication (if severe or recommended by a doctor), diet, and exercise. For example, a diet low in salt can help you avoid water retention, which in turn decreases the blood volume in your body and relieves the pressure on your arteries. Cutting down on or completely eliminating saturated fats from your diet can also help keep your blood pressure inline. Rather than frying your foods, learn to broil, bake, and stir-fry. A simple exercise routine that includes walking will do you a world of good. 

The bottom line is... having your blood pressure checked regularly is key. If you're a person that is at high risk of hypertension, it may be necessary to have your blood pressure checked weekly.

To read the stories of three women and how they discovered they had high blood pressure, click here.