Why is blood pressure so important?

One of the most important steps in protecting your heart: getting your blood pressure to a healthy level. Having high blood pressure boosts your risk for leading killers such as heart attack and stroke, not to mention aneurysms, cognitive decline, and kidney failure. Despite its danger, high blood pressure on its own has no symptoms

You should always consult with your doctor about how to treat high blood pressure, but here are some basic factors to consider:

Medication. Your doctor may prescribe medication to control your blood pressure, but these meds can have some uncomfortable side effects such as leg cramps, dizziness, and insomnia. Fortunately, there are a number of lifestyle factors that can help control blood pressure.

Weight Loss. Experts aren't sure why excess weight often leads to excessively high blood pressure, but it's clear that maintaining a healthy weight puts less stress on your ticker. And it doesn't have to be a dramatic loss: Even weighing a few pounds less can help bring down your BP a few points. Get simple tips to jump-start your weight loss efforts.