American Lung Association website. Available at: http://www.lungusa.org/. Accessed July 15, 2008.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/. Accessed July 15, 2008.
National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/. Accessed July 15, 2008.
3/25/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Parkes G, Greenhalgh T, Griffin M, Dent R. Effect on smoking quit rate of telling patients their lung age: the Step2quit randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2008;336:598-600.
7/6/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Myung SK, McDonnell DD, Kazinets G, Seo HG, Moskowitz JM. Effects of Web- and computer-based smoking cessation programs: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:929-937.
A number of different health professionals may have different methods and products that can support you in quitting smoking.
There are a number of ways to quit smoking. For more information and tips, see the Smoking Cessation article.
You don't have to quit alone. In fact, quitting with a friend or loved one can increase both of your chances for success.
A number of different health professionals may have different methods and products that can support you in quitting smoking.
Smoking is a risk factor for hypertension. Smoking damages your blood vessels, reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood, and forces your heart to work harder. The good news is that there are a variety of products and methods available to help you quit.
There are a number of ways to quit smoking. For more information and tips, see the Smoking Cessation article.
You don't have to quit alone. In fact, quitting with a friend or loved one can increase both of your chances for success.
Smoking is a risk factor for hypertension. Smoking damages your blood vessels, reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood, and forces your heart to work harder. The good news is that there are a variety of products and methods available to help you quit.
In addition to consulting with your doctor, consider making an appointment with a certified athletic trainer to help you develop a safe, effective, and enjoyable exercise program. You can find a trainer at a local gym or through a referral from your doctor or a friend. Make sure this person understands your goals and health condition and can help you maintain an exercise program that you will enjoy and stick with.
If you are looking for other forms of movement, consider consulting someone like a yoga therapist, qi gong or tai chi instructor.
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine website. Available at: http://www.sportsmed.org/tabs/Index.aspx . Accessed September 4, 2008.
Exercise: how to get started. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20061215/2095ph.html . Published December 2006. Accessed September 4, 2008.
Health and fitness tips. American Council on Exercise website. Available at: http://www.acefitness.org/healthandfitnesstips/default.aspx . Accessed September 4, 2008.
Mayo Clinic. Stretching: focus on flexibility. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stretching/hq01447. Updated February 21, 2010. Accessed May 18, 2010.
In addition to consulting with your doctor, consider making an appointment with a certified athletic trainer to help you develop a safe, effective, and enjoyable exercise program. You can find a trainer at a local gym or through a referral from your doctor or a friend. Make sure this person understands your goals and health condition and can help you maintain an exercise program that you will enjoy and stick with.
If you are looking for other forms of movement, consider consulting someone like a yoga therapist, qi gong or tai chi instructor.
To offer you the full range of benefits, your exercise program should include the major categories of exercise--aerobic (cardiovascular exercise), strength training (resistance exercises), and flexibility (stretching exercise). Within all of these major categories of exercise, there are a number of different options. See the Exercise article for more information and tips on starting a regular exercise program.
Lack of exercise is a risk factor for the development of hypertension. Consequently, regular exercise is an excellent way to prevent and treat hypertension. Exercise might also help you lose weight. Losing as little as 10 pounds can help decrease your heart’s workload and lower your blood pressure.
Modifying your diet is worthwhile, but it can be challenging, especially if you need to make big changes. In addition to consulting with your physician, consider working with a nutritionist, dietitian or health coach to help customize meal plans, find suitable and exciting recipes, and build new, healthy habits.
For more information on the DASH diet, as well as practical tips and how-to's, see the DASH Diet article.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
7/6/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Levitan EB, Wolk A, Mittleman MA. Consistency with the DASH diet and incidence of heart failure. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:851-857.
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The eating pattern outlined in the DASH diet promotes healthier blood pressure levels (and heart health in general) because of what it includes and excludes.1 Specifically:
