
The Department of Health (DOH), together with the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) and other medical specialty societies, reiterated its call for everyone to practice a health lifestyle by limiting salt in their diets, maintaining normal weight and exercising daily for 30 minutes in order to reduce the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure as the country observes the month of May as “National Hypertension Awareness Month” under Proclamation No. 1761.
The DOH and PSH aim to raise awareness about the positive impact of simple lifestyle changes in preventing or managing high blood pressure. These lifestyle changes include maintaining a normal body weight, minimizing salt intake, regular exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, dancing or aerobics for at least 30 minutes daily, limiting alcohol intake to at most two drinks a day for men, and one a day for women, avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke, eating potassium-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, managing stress by getting enough sleep and recreation, and practicing relaxation techniques.
According to Dr. Abdias V. Aquino, president of the PSH
Lifestyle changes can help prevent high blood pressure and control it in those who already have established hypertension
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