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Your Blood Pressure's Best Friend
This Week's Tips
Feeling a little light on friendship lately? Then do something about it. Right now. Really.
Call an old friend. Make a playdate. Join a message board. Volunteer. Otherwise, your heart could pay the price. Because the lonelier people feel, the higher their blood pressure may rise.
Getting Connected
Loneliness seems to affect systolic (top number) blood pressure most, according to a recent study. And too-high systolic readings can increase your risk of stroke (could you spot the warning signs?) or heart disease (here are the top risk factors). So get connected! Your heart will be lighter and healthier for it.
More Ways to Bring It Down
- Slash sodium. (Take the quick quiz in this article to find hidden sources.)
- Eat up. (These 12 foods do the best job of lowering blood pressure.)
- Get physical. (This complete workout takes only 20 minutes!)
- Trim down. (Track your BMI and waist loss with this online tool.)
- Don't stress. (Use these techniques to calm frazzled nerves.)
RealAge Benefit:
Keeping your blood pressure at 115/76 mm Hg can make your RealAge as much as 12 years younger.
Loneliness is a unique predictor of age-related differences in systolic blood pressure. Hawkley, L. C., Masi, C. M., Berry, J. D., Cacioppo, J. T., Psychology and Aging 2006 Mar;21(1):152-164.
