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Blood pressure tip: Get more potassium
Want to lower your blood pressure? Cut back on sodium in your diet and add more potassium. Sodium increases your blood pressure. Potassium can reduce the effects of sodium on blood pressure. Many fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium, including bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe, spinach, peas and tomatoes.
Blood pressure tip: Get off the couch
If you're concerned about your high blood pressure, get moving. Regular moderate- to high- intensity workouts can lower your top blood pressure reading by about 11 mm Hg and the bottom number by about 5. Regular exercise also reduces stress and weight gain, which are known to be bad for your heart health. Need an idea? Try brisk walking for about 30 minutes most days of the week. Talk to your health care provider about starting an exercise program.
Blood pressure tip: Know alcohol limits
Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily increases blood pressure. Binge drinking can cause large and sudden increases in blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke. If you're a heavy or binge drinker, talk to your health care provider about how to reduce your drinking.
Body-weight training: Is it effective for strength training?
Body-weight training — Try out this alternative form of strength training.
Breastfeeding and alcohol: Is it OK to drink?
Breastfeeding and alcohol don't mix well. A Mayo Clinic specialist discusses how alcohol affects breast milk.
Breastfeeding positions
Breastfeeding can be awkward at first. Experiment with various positions until you feel comfortable.
Breastfeeding strike: Why do babies refuse to nurse?
Understand why babies sometimes refuse to breastfeed and what you can do about it.
Bridge pose
Try this simple yoga pose to increase the flexibility in your back.
Brominated vegetable oil: Why is BVO in my drink?
Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is banned from use in food in many countries, so why is it still being used in some soft drinks sold in the U.S.?
Butter vs. margarine: Which is better for my heart?
Margarine usually tops butter for heart health. But not all margarines are created equal.
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