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7 Ways to Manage Your Blood Pressure
7 Ways to Manage Your Blood Pressure
7 Ways to Manage Your Blood Pressure
Blog
When it comes to knowing your risk for heart disease – the number one killer in the U.S. – understanding your blood pressure numbers is the best place to start. Numbers higher than 120/80 are a warning sign that hypertension may be at work damaging your blood vessels and making your heart work harder than it should. In many cases, lifestyle changes can help bring your blood pressure under control and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Even better, making these changes will also reduce your risk of developing other conditions and improve your overall health. 1. Stop smoking Quitting smoking is the most powerful thing you can do on your own to lower blood pressure and improve your overall health since every cigarette you smoke causes a temporary increase in your blood pressure and heart rate. In fact, did you know that just 20 minutes after you smoke your last cigarette, your health starts improving? Anyone who’s tried to quit knows it’s hard. But having the right support can help. At Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), we’re here to help you quit smoking or using other tobacco products. You can contact the LHAAMC smoking cessation program (443-481-5366 or 443-481-5367) for more resources. 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or SmokingStopsHere.com, also provides a free service by phone or online that offers counseling and free smoking cessation medications mailed to your home. 2. Find the right approach to eating The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet as the best way to control blood pressure. It’s a clean, whole food eating approach based on reducing certain types of foods and increasing others. The DASH diet recommends loading up on: Foods high in potassium and magnesium, such as beans and leafy greens Fruits and vegetables Lean proteins Low-fat, low-sugar dairy Whole grains It also recommends cutting back on: Added sugars, often hiding with names ending in “ose” (fructose, sucrose, maltose, dextrose), or as syrup (corn syrup, rice syrup) Alcohol Processed and packaged foods such as deli meats and bacon, canned soup, frozen meals, chips, snacks and cookies Saturated fats 3. Get to and maintain a healthy weight Being overweight strains the heart and increases your risk for high blood pressure. Extra pounds can also cause sleep apnea, which can also play a role in elevating your blood pressure. Weight loss is one of the most effective ways to lower your blood pressure: Losing even 10 pounds can make a difference, and reduce your risk for other health problems, too. 4. Keep moving Regular exercise strengthens your heart, helping it pump with less effort and lowering your blood pressure. But don’t assume you have to run a marathon to earn the benefits of exercise. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes a week: That’s just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, five times a week. Walking, cycling, jogging, dancing and swimming are all great examples of moderate physical activities that can get your heart pumping harder. Strength training and flexibility exercises can lower blood pressure and improve your overall health, too. And don’t forget simple, everyday activities either, such as: Completing household chores Doing yard work Parking at the far end of the parking lot Taking the stairs, whenever possible If you haven’t been exercising, ease into it and talk with your doctor if you have medical conditions that might limit the amount and type of exercise you do. 5. Limit your sodium intake Sodium (salt) is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to raising blood pressure. While it doesn’t impact everyone, if you’re trying to lower your blood pressure without medication, reducing the amount of salt in your diet may help. Like sugars, sodium can be surprisingly high in many foods — and processed, packaged and restaurant foods are well-known culprits. Read labels and focus on eating whole, less processed foods. Classic examples of high sodium food would include chips, processed meats and almost all foods from Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Indian and fast food restaurants. Try to minimize your exposure to these as much as possible. The American Heart Association recommends adults with hypertension limit sodium intake to 1500 mg or less a day. 6. Reduce stress Researchers aren’t sure how stress affects blood pressure long term. But they do know that too often, people turn to unhealthy food, smoking or alcohol to deal with stress, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Commit to finding a healthier way to cope with stress that works for you. Here are a few, stress-busting examples: Listen to music Meditate Practice and express gratitude Relax with an activity you enjoy Try Yoga 7. Work with your doctor If you find out you have or are at risk for developing high blood pressure, work with your doctor to develop a plan to manage it. Partnering with your doctor is key to getting and keeping blood pressure under control. Do your part by: Educating yourself about high blood pressure Learning how to monitor your blood pressure at home Taking ownership of your treatment Lifestyle changes are often enough to get and keep blood pressure under control. But some people need medication along with lifestyle changes. It’s important to take medication exactly as your doctor prescribes – no missed doses or days. Authors Waseem Hussain, MD, is a physician with Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. Jennifer Brady, MD, is a cardiologist with Anne Arundel Medical Group Cardiology Specialists.
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Why Choose Luminis Health Imaging for Your CT ScanWe're accredited by the top body in the U.S. for imaging, the American College of Radiology (ACR). This accreditation means our equipment, training and practices measure up to the gold standard.We'll always use the lowest dose of radiation to show the parts of your body your doctor needs to see. That's why we've signed on to the Image Wisely and Image Gently pledges. These programs, led by the ACR, help us stay at the forefront of safe radiology testing.If you're booking a lung screening or calcium scoring test, you can book using our simple online system. (Or give us a call if you prefer!) We also offer convenient evening and weekend appointments.
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Conditions/Services/Treatments Page
CT Scan
A CT scan is an imaging technology to see inside your body. CT scans can show bones, joints, organs, blood vessels — pretty much everything!CT scans can reveal the cause of your symptoms. They can find problems in the body before they cause any symptoms. They can also help doctors see whether cancer is going away with treatment.How Does a CT Scan Work?CT imaging uses radiation beams to produce images. Tissue, bone and other structures in the body absorb the radiation in different amounts. A computer analyzes the radiation beams as they pass through to the other side to form images.While an x-ray uses a single radiation beam, a CT scan takes that x-ray beam and moves it in a circle around the body. This is why CT machines are doughnut shaped. CT scans capture more detailed, 3D images, compared to x-rays.Besides diagnosing a broad range of conditions, CT radiology scans are useful for people without symptoms. They can reveal early signs of heart problems and lung cancer, and help you avoid a health crisis.CT Scans Can Help You Reduce Your Heart Attack RiskJust like plaque can build up around your teeth, plaque can build up in the arteries. But the consequence is much worse — plaque in the arteries can cause heart disease and heart attacks.Calcium scoring uses low-dose CT technology to see the arteries in the heart. The radiologist can then measure the amount of calcium in the arteries. Calcium is an important part of plaque.If you have a moderate to high calcium score, your doctor may recommend medications as well as lifestyle changes.CT Scans Can Find Lung Cancer EarlyAmerica's top lung experts recommend low-dose CT lung screening for long-term or heavy smokers between ages 50 and 80. This gives doctors a chance to find lung tumors when they're small and contained to one area. For cancer, early detection is good. Doctors can use less intense treatments. And treatments are much more likely to work when we find cancer early.How do you know if you smoke enough to need lung screening? Multiply your average number of packs in a day by the years you've been smoking. If you get 20 or more, you qualify. (As an example, someone who smokes a pack a day for at least 20 years should check their lungs. So should someone who smokes a half pack a day for at least 40 years.)
CT scan
CT Scan
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General Page - Tier 2
At Luminis Health, we are committed to providing comprehensive care through our extensive range of specialties and highly skilled medical professionals. We understand the importance of a trusted partnership in patient care, and we're here to support you at every step.We also offer numerous educational and collaborative opportunities for our referring providers to stay at the forefront of medical advancements and best practices. At Luminis Health, we work together to enhance health outcomes and transform lives within our community. Refer a Patient to our Orthopedics ProvidersOur orthopedic team is committed to delivering expert, patient-centered care for a full range of musculoskeletal conditions. From sports injuries and joint replacements to complex fracture care, our team uses advanced technology and evidence-based practices to deliver results that support faster recovery and long-term mobility.We know strong provider relationships are key to better care. That’s why we’re committed to close communication and coordination at every step—from initial evaluation to surgical care to rehabilitation. Together, we’re helping patients return to the activities they love and improving quality of life across our community.To refer a patient to Luminis Health Orthopedics, call 410-268-8862 Schedule careOur services
Refer a Patient
Refer a Patient
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Specialty
Luminis Health provides exceptional emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A medical emergency can happen at any time, to anyone. That's why Luminis Health provides exceptional emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you're experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Do not drive yourself. When to Go to the ER If you think you may be having a medical emergency, don't hesitate to come to the Emergency Room (ER). By seeking treatment for medical emergencies as early as possible, you'll have the best possible outcome. Come to the ER if you're experiencing: Chest pain or difficulty breathing. Weakness or numbness on one side. Slurred speech. Seizures. Fainting or a change in mental state. Severe headache (the “worst headache of your life"). Serious burns. Severe abdominal pain. Head or eye injury. Broken bones or dislocated joints. Unexplained or persistent high fever. Severe cuts that may need stitches. Thoughts of suicide or hurting someone else. Vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain with pregnancy. , If you don't have health insurance, don't let that stop you from getting emergency care. We see all patients, regardless of whether you have health insurance. If you are a self-pay patient, we can connect you to government programs that may help with your health care costs. Our billing department can also work with you on payment plans.
Emergency Services
Emergency Services
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Why Choose Luminis Health for Spine Surgery?Our board-certified spine surgeons use advanced imaging technology and surgical techniques to fix the root cause of back pain instead of merely the symptoms.We use leading techniques and a team approach to deliver treatment that helps you get the relief you need.Trust us for your care because we offer:The latest surgical techniques. We offer the most advanced types of surgery available, both in the hospital and at our ambulatory surgery center locations. This often means a shorter stay — in some cases you leave the same day — and faster recovery.Advanced technology. We also have state-of-the-art technology that enables us to use less invasive approaches. Take our O-arm 3D surgical navigation system. This provides live 3D navigation during surgery. It allows surgeons to operate with greater precision and eliminates the need for multiple x-rays during an operation.High-quality, low-cost care. While we offer expert spine surgical care, we consistently do so at a cost lower than the Maryland hospital average.A spine surgery nurse navigator. This trained professional arranges and coordinates each step in your treatment plan. Your nurse navigator may set up appointments and keeps your referring doctor up to date on your progress.Presurgery preparation. Not knowing what to expect in the hospital or during recovery can make you or your family anxious leading up to surgery. That's one reason we offer classes where you find out what you can do to prepare ahead of time and why physical therapy afterward is so important. Plus, your care partner finds out how they can support you throughout your care journey. We offer both daytime and evening classes so you can choose the option that best fits your schedule.Patient- and family-centered care. Our surgeons firmly believe that actively participating in your care gives you the best results possible. So not only do we create a personalized treatment plan for you, we involve you in each step. We also do everything we can to minimize stress on you and your family before and after your operation.
Treatment
Conditions/Services/Treatments Page
Spine Surgery
From complex traumatic spine injuries to herniated disks, we have the surgical expertise to help end your back, neck and radiating pain.Common Reasons for Spine SurgeryMost back, neck and radiating pain can be treated without surgery. But when debilitating pain becomes a part of your daily life, our spine care experts can help you find relief.We can tell when you're a good candidate for spine surgery. Plus, we're experts at judging which type of surgery is likely to provide the best results in your individual situation.Conditions requiring spinal surgery may include:Arthritis/degenerative disc disease. As we get older, the cushion-like discs that separate the bones in our spine become flatter and more brittle. This can allow the bones to make slight, abnormal movements, irritating surrounding muscles, joints and nerves.Instability/spondylolisthesis. In this condition, one of the bones in your spine — called a vertebra — slides forward, out of its normal position.Fractures and trauma to the spine.Ruptured or herniated disc. The discs that separate the bones of our spine are a bit like jelly doughnuts. As we age, sometimes one of the discs weakens and breaks open, releasing some of the "jelly." When the jelly bulges out, it can put pressure on a nearby nerve.Spinal deformities. This can include scoliosis and kyphosis.Spinal tumors. This type of surgery requires a high degree of precision to remove as much of a tumor as possible without injuring the spinal cord and nearby nerves.Spinal stenosis. In your spine, there are openings where nerves pass through. These openings can grow narrower, putting pressure on the nerve.
Spine Surgery
Spine Surgery
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