New research shows that people with better-paying jobs may have less high blood pressure, but everyone can help protect themselves from this common problem, no matter their income.
In a new study from the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers in Sweden analyzed data from 12,030 twins born from 1926 to 1958. Women who had a lower socioeconomic status in adulthood (a term that describes a person’s social standing based on factors like their education, income, or job) were 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure. People whose parents had a low socioeconomic status were also 42 percent more likely to have high blood pressure.
However, people who started life at a low socioeconomic status and moved up the ladder lowered their risk of high blood pressure compared to those who stayed in place.
Earlier studies have found that people with a lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have many health problems. Moving up the ranks isn’t necessarily easy (especially in today’s economy, with many people having trouble keeping their jobs or finding a new one). However, no matter your income or years of schooling, you can still protect yourself from high blood pressure with easy and inexpensive steps. These include:
- Cutting back on salty foods. Sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, and a lot of the sodium in our diet comes from processed foods (like frozen dinners, soups, and chips). Eating fewer processed foods – and choosing low-sodium varieties when possible – can help trim the sodium from your diet.
- Drinking less and not smoking. Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. If you must drink, keep it to no more than one (for women) or two (for men) drinks daily. Also, if you smoke, it puts you at higher risk of heart disease, which is a concern that goes hand-in-hand with high blood pressure. Quitting is a good way to protect your health from high blood pressure and other health threats.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables day after day can improve your blood pressure several ways. First, plant foods tend to be low in sodium. Secondly, they tend to be high in potassium, which may help lower your blood pressure. If you have trouble making room in your budget for the cost of fruits and vegetables, cutting back on unhealthy snacks (or alcohol or cigarettes if you buy them) may free up money for these healthy foods.
- Get moving. Exercising at least 30 minutes daily can lower your risk of high blood pressure. Exercise doesn’t require a fancy gym or expensive gear. Simply walking is a cheap, simple form of exercise that will do the trick.
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