THINGS YOU CAN DO TO LOWER YOUR RISK “People living with heart disease must get the information they need from their healthcare team and take it seriously enough to change their lifestyles. You only have one heart.” ~ Chad It is up to you to decide what and how much to change. Ask yourself: “Is there anything I would like to do for my health over the next few weeks or months?” You can only change when you have a goal. So set a goal for each change you want to make. You may decide to quit smoking, drink less alcohol or become more physically active. You may have several lifestyle change goals. But remember, change can be hard — especially lifestyle changes — so tackle them one at a time.
Go to page 18 for help to develop healthy lifestyle habits that stick. Go to heartandstroke.ca/risk to take a 10 minute risk assessment quiz. You will get a personal report on how to reduce your risk. Control your blood pressure Know your blood pressure so that you can control it. Here are some steps you can take: • Have a healthcare professional check your blood pressure regularly. • If you choose to buy a home blood pressure monitor, your doctor or pharmacist can help you choose a monitor and the right cuff size for you. Get your pharmacist to show you how to use the monitor. My blood pressure target is • Ask a doctor for information about the right target numbers for you.
“My blood pressure and cholesterol levels are spot on for the first time in years.” ~ Chad Visit heartandstroke.ca/bloodpressure for more information to help you manage your blood pressure: • Learn how to measure your blood pressure at home • Use a web-based tool to track your BP readings over time • Learn about how the DASH eating plan can reduce your blood pressure 12 | Heart and Stroke Foundation