Cardiologists beg people with hypertension to stop doing this one thing that originally appeared to be a parade.
Heart disease has the distinction of being the leading cause of death among adults in the United States. In 2025, the American Cardiac Association specifically called hypertension as a risk factor that maintains heart disease at the top of this list. As scary as it may sound – especially if you have hypertension – cardiologists emphasize that it is important to know the truth so you can take action (which you can).
“Hypertension is a significant risk of the development of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes and congestive heart failure,” says Dr. Bradley Server, Doctor of Medicine,Interventional Cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer at Vitalsolution, health company Ingenovis. “Hypertension is treatable and early interventions can significantly reduce the likelihood of these devastating conditions.”
Medicines can help lower blood pressure. However, it is also important to do the lifestyle of life, including the understanding of certain easy -to -put risks that can worsen hypertension. Cardiologists have shared the only thing that asks people with hypertension to stop doing ASAP, plus how to become more informed (food) user.
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Cardiologists of habit # 1 want people with high blood pressure to break as soon as possible
Cardiologists are urging people to comply with their daily intake of salt and not neglect the hidden ways in which sodium can be included in foods.
“Increased Salt – Nadium – Anacta affects the way your kidneys manage the water balance in your body,” explains Dr. Chen-Khan Chen, Dr., Certified by board intervention cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at the MemorialCare SaddleBack Medical Center. “When you take more sodium than you need, it will lead to body retention, leading to increased blood pressure in your blood vessels.”
Dr. Chen sounds the recommendation of the American Cardiac Association for the daily intake of salt, which is 2300 mg per day. However, D -Chen adds that the American Cardiac Association recommends sticking to 1500 mg a day for people with kidney or heart problems and this includes hypertension.
Related: 5 foods to buy every week to reduce the risk of hypertension, according to cardiologists
Why salt intake is difficult – but it is not impossible – to reduce
You may know not to add salt to foods if you have hypertension or want to maintain blood pressure under control. However, cardiologists say that daily salt consumption is easy to underestimate.
“Most people do not look at labels to see how much sodium consume,” points out D -R Randy Gould, doCardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology at NYC and Labfinder.com Assistant. “If they have foods that do not taste salty, they may think they are not high in sodium, but this may not be the case.”
In fact, salt is used for reasons beyond the aroma, so taste testing is not always the best way to judge how much it is in a meal or breakfast. Believe it or not, salt is in some of the sweet foods (like cookies!).
“Salt is hidden in many foods as a taste enhancer and a preservative,” reports Dr. Serer. “For these reasons, salt is used in large quantities in many canned foods, prepared and processed dishes and in commercial restaurants.”
Connected: Here’s what happens to your blood pressure when you eat blueberries every day
However, it is possible to consume less salt. Dr. Chen recommends:
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Checking the food eating label when possible
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Preparing your own food with fresh ingredients more often than not
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Ask for menu items that are smaller sodium when you eat out
Dr. Serier also recommends eating more home dishes and especially avoid fast food when you eat outside. Studies in accordance show that people who eat more often consume more sodium. It offers:
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Avoid canned and pre -prepared dishes (including those you heat up in your own microwave)
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Add more products to your diet
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Given the flavoring substitutes (such as parsley, basil or cumin)
Related: Simple Cardiologists for Food Swap ask you to do as soon as possible
Other ways of managing blood pressure
Maintaining careful view of salt intake is essential. However, cardiologists recommend a comprehensive approach to dealing with hypertension. They have shared several other ways to maintain your blood pressure in a healthy range.
1. Get regular exercise
Dr. Gould recommends getting at least 150 hours of physical activity a week. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity (making enough effort to breathe strongly but still can be talked) or 75 minutes of energetic intensity (heavy effort that causes strong breathing, so you can only speak short, cut sentences) exercises every week about the overall health of the heart. Studies have found that regular exercise is important for lowering and management of blood pressure.
Dr. Serier recommends discussing exercise programs with your doctor, especially if you have basic health conditions.
2. Manage your stress and sleep
The idea that stressful situations are “raising your blood pressure” may not be some kind of tongue line in your cheek. Guuld states that stress management is a decisive tool for regulating blood pressure.
Some studies show that tools such as attention -based stress programs are effective. Stress can leave you to throw and turn overnight, but D -Guld notes that it is vital to catch enough on ZZZ. A Hypertension The study connects wrong sleep patterns to hypertension.
Excessive drinking and smoking are two ways in which people can try to manage stress, but D -Chen advises against them, saying that neither your heart (or general health) is any services. Your care team may recommend resources to help you with these habits such as therapy and support groups.
3. Keep in touch with your doctor
Dr. Serier reminds people that doctors, like cardiologists, are here to help. “Keep in close and consistent relationships with primary assignors and take your medicines on time,” he says.
In addition, you may need to check your blood pressure regularly. He advises people to comply with these recommendations from their care team because this can help mark the incorrect blood pressure. `
Forward:
Connected: I am a cardiologist and this “relaxing” habit actually harms the health of your heart
Sources:
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Heart statistics and stroke. American Cardiac Association.
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Dr. Bradley Seruer, Doctor of Medicine, Intervention Cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer at Vitalsolution, Health Company Ingenovis
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Dr. Chen-Khan Chen, Dr., certified by the board intervention cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare SaddleBack Medical Center
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Shaking the habit of salt to lower high blood pressure. American Cardiac Association.
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Dr. Randy Gould, Do, a cardiologist from Manhattan Cardiology at NYC and an associate of Labfinder.com
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Can nutrition outside homes affect sodium intake? Current development of nutritionS
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Frequency of diet of home -cooked meals and potential benefits for diet and health: analysis of a cross -section of a cohort study based on the population. International Journal International Journal for behavioral nutrition and physical activityS
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Recommendations from the American Cardiac Association for Physical Activity in Adults and Children. American Cardiac Association.
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Exercise as a tool for hypertension and sustainable management of hypertension: current insights. Integrated blood pressure control.
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The effect and acceptability of the Stress Reduction Program based on patients with high blood pressure or hypertension: meta-analysis of randomized controlled tests. Hypertension.
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Sleep irregularity is associated with hypertension: discovering over 2 million nights with a large global sample of the population. Hypertension.
Cardiologists beg people with hypertension to stop doing this one thing that first appeared at a parade on July 6, 2025.
This story was originally reported by a parade on July 6, 2025, where it first appeared.