waking up and two hours before going to bed can help reduce your blood pressure.
9. Manage Your Caffeine Consumption
A cup or two of coffee might not affect your blood pressure. If you drink it often, though, it can raise your levels. High-caffeine energy drinks, on the other hand, can cause a significant increase in blood pressure so it’s best to avoid them.
RELATED: Is Coffee the Secret to Lower Blood Pressure?
10. Stay Away From Cigarettes
Cigarettes have been shown to cause inflammation, narrow your arteries, and damage blood vessel walls. The end result is consistently high blood pressure. It’s in your best interest to stay away from smoking.
Why This Matters To Black People
Statistics show that approximately 55 percent of Black Americans have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Doctors also surmise that many Black people have the condition but have not seen a doctor about it. Of those who were diagnosed, studies show that Black people are less likely to have their blood pressure under control than other ethnicities.
On a related note, Black Americans are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Black people. Finally, Black people are more likely to be diagnosed with conditions that usually lead to high blood pressure like obesity and diabetes.
Millions of people have high blood pressure but it’s clear that it disproportionately affects Black Americans. The best thing you can do to prevent that is to live as healthily as possible. If this doesn’t help, make sure to consult with your doctor.