Heart disease risk factors you can control: Health conditions | womenshealth.gov

Heart disease risk factors you can control: Health conditions | womenshealth.gov

Your risk for high blood pressure increases as you age. Two out of every three women ages 60 and older have high blood pressure.¹

You are also more likely to have high blood pressure if you have a family history of high blood pressure. Other risk factors include diet, lack of exercise, and obesity.

To lower your blood pressure:

1. Lose weight, according to your doctor’s recommendation. Learn more in our Healthy Weight section.
2. Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days, or 150 minutes of activity each week. Learn more in our Getting Active section.
3. Stop smoking. Find resources to help you quit at women.smokefree.gov.
4. Eat healthy.
5. Lower sodium in your diet. Learn more in our Healthy Eating section.
6. Moderate or stop alcohol consumption.
7. Take blood pressure medicine, according to your doctor’s prescription.