Live near a busy intersection? Dig your downloaded iTunes? Then lowering your blood pressure (BP) may be as easy as shutting the window or turning down your player.

Too much noise exposure correlates with a steady rise in blood pressure. Makes sense. Loud sounds are known to stimulate the pituitary-adrenal cortical system.

Heart rate basically soars in response to sudden loud sounds, like slamming doors or honking horns. But a gradual rise in noise hurts, too. In a study of assembly plant workers, the higher the volume got, the higher their blood pressure rose. Simple earplug use was enough to drop systolic blood pressure as much as 5.5 mm Hg. So just imagine what turning down your car stereo could do! 

Noise isn’t the only thing that can boost your blood pressure. Here are some other culprits to attend to:

• Squishiness. Yeah, you know what we mean.
• Potato chips. You aren’t doing your blood pressure any favors with high-calorie, nutrition-poor snacks that pack on pounds.
• An empty social calendar. That’s right. Loneliness boosts blood pressure.

Learn more about how to control your blood pressure and many other health tips at www.RealAge.com. 

Source: www.RealAge.com