Building A Healthier Heart
Studies have shown that adoption of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, a low-fat diet rich in dairy foods, fruits and vegetables, has effects similar to single drug therapy in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke by lowering blood pressure.
8 tips for a healthier heart (cont.):
6. Prepare Mixed Meals. Serve up variety at meals with at least two different types of fruits and vegetables. Dessert is the ideal time to experiment with fresh fruit. Lowfat vanilla yogurt topped with sautéed apple slices is a crowd-pleasing DASH dessert.
7. Get Naturally Sweet. Calm your morning sugar cravings by enjoying a bowl of cereal with lowfat milk topped with your favorite seasonal berries.
8. Eat a Mid-morning Snack. Cut up pieces of fresh fruit and vegetables with plain yogurt for dipping.
For seven more habits that can change your life, visit www.3aday.org
| Category | Systolic (mmMg) | Diastolic (mmMg) | Result |
| Normal | < 120 | < 80 | Good for you! |
| Prehypertension | 120-139 | 80-89 | Blood pressure may become a problem, start taking action by increasing physical activity and adding more fruits, vegetables and low-fat diary into your diet. |
| Hypertension | 140 or higher | 90 or higher | You have high blood pressure. Consult your doctor. |
