May is National Hypertension Awareness Month and Asthma Awareness Month
High blood pressure—or hypertension—is a major risk factor for heart disease according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. It reports that half of Americans have high blood pressure, and many don’t know they have it.
May is National Hypertension Awareness Month. To help prevent healthcare challenges resulting from high blood pressure, make an appointment to have yours checked. Speak with your Advantage healthcare provider about what your numbers mean for you and any lifestyle adjustments that may be necessary.
Some ways to help lower your blood pressure naturally according to the Mayo Clinic include:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet
- Limit your sodium intake and alcohol
- Quit smoking and using tobacco products or any kind
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Reduce stress as best as possible.
May is also Asthma Awareness Month! About 25 million people (1 in 12 Americans) have asthma, according to the CDC. Each May, individuals and organizations across America come together to increase public awareness of the asthma epidemic, and to take action to get asthma under control in our nation.
Anyone can get asthma, but asthma is twice as common among children as adults. More than 7 million asthma sufferers are under age 18, and asthma is the third ranking cause of hospitalization for children, according to the CDC. Although many people with asthma experience less symptoms as they grow older, the underlying causes of asthma do not go away.
Some tips to help get your asthma under control include:
- Get checkups from your Advantage provider
- Know your triggers and avoid them
- Take your asthma medication as prescribed by your doctor
- Learn how to use your inhaler properly
- Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke
- Keep fit by exercising
- Be in control, get an asthma action plan
To get your blood pressure checked, and to get your asthma under control, make an appointment with one of our Advantage providers, or stop in at any of our clinics weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a walk-in appointment.