Page 41 - Men’s Health - USA (December 2019)

BODY

gist at North Carolina Heart and Vascu- consumed nearly 1,000 fewer calories a
lar Hospital, and a millennial himself. week than those who went with home-
“Wellness trends promise great results cooked once a week or less. And that’s bad
with little eff ort, but few have any proven news for millennials: The average millen-
long-term benefi ts,” he says. “You won’t nial eats out or buys takeout food fi ve
see ads on Instagram for the few things times per week, according to a Bankrate
that we know promote health, including survey, which means they’re devouring
regular exercise, not smoking, being all the pressure-boosting sodium and cal- 6 SMALL
at a healthy weight, and screening for ories that come with it. (Sodium is partic- CHANGES THAT
blood-pressure and cholesterol issues.” ularly sneaky: In one study, 90 percent of TAKE BLOOD
people thought their restaurant meal had
BEING BROKE CAN BREAK YOU. Millen- about 1,000 milligrams—around half a PRESSURE DOWN
nials carry more than $1 trillion in debt. day’s worth—less than it did.)
A large chunk of that is due to student Then there’s the weight factor. Mil-
Lose two pounds. For ev-
loans—millennials owe more than four lennials are on track to be the heaviest 1 ery two pounds or so, you
times what Gen Xers do. Add this weight generation in history, and extra weight could see a one-point drop in
to other pressures and it makes sense that on a young adult can ratchet up blood systolic blood pressure (the
top number).
millennials reported the highest average pressure and thicken the heart muscle
stress level of any generation, at 5.7 out of early, inviting heart disease later on. Get up every 45 minutes
10, in the American Psychological Asso- 2 and walk around. This
ciation’s Stress in America survey. (Gen IT’S EASY TO AVOID MOVING. “The heart simple move was enough to
Xers came in at 5.1, Gen Zers at 5.3, and requires the challenge of moving blood significantly lower diastolic
blood pressure in one study.
boomers at a relatively zen 4.1.) through the body to keep things supple
“Most of us overlook that the medical and functioning normally,” says Aaron Eat for your heart.
word we use for high blood pressure, Baggish, M.D., of Massachusetts General 3 “Following a heart-healthy
hypertension, is really hyper and Hospital. And between more screen time, diet can drop systolic blood
pressure as much as a pill
tension,” says cardiologist Andrew longer commutes, and more labor-saving
can,” says cardiologist Michael
M. Freeman, M.D., of National Jewish devices, Dr. Baggish explains, “many mil- Miedema, M.D., M.P.H. That’s
Health in Denver. Not only does chronic lennials are just not doing enough activity.” about three to five points.
stress play a role in high blood pressure,
but the responses we often have to what’s BUT THERE’S GOOD NEWS! You can head Fill up on potassium.
4 This mineral can coun-
stressing us out—like binge eating and off this whole saga with some pretty
teract the effects of sodium
cutting sleep short—jack it up, too. simple lifestyle changes. Start with the in your diet. Help it out and
six basic steps at right, and keep on top of counter sodium yourself by
BLAME SEAMLESS AND POSTMATES. your blood-pressure rates with the three nixing key sources like bread,
cold cuts, and pizza.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School gizmos below. Even minor adjustments
of Public Health found that people who can bring down your BP. Your heart will Say yes to pickup bas-
ate home-cooked meals almost every day thank you later. 5 ketball. The adrenaline
and cortisol that swirl around
when you’re stressed can
hike up blood pressure. In
fact, one recent study found
NEWEST TECHY PRESSURE CHECKS that male med students
were 13 times as likely to
The best from our thorough tests. have elevated numbers as
their female counterparts.
Friends help buffer stress.
Bonus if you combine hang-
ing out with a workout.

Monitor pressure at
6 home. Everyone should
check their BP once a month
at home, even if they’re
healthy, says John Elefteri-
Omron HeartGuide Withings BPM Core Mocacare MOCACuff ades, M.D., director of the
The first wearable This easy-to-use wireless This sits on your wrist, not Aortic Institute at Yale-New
blood-pressure monitor— monitor transfers your data your upper arm, and Haven Hospital. It can help
released earlier this year—is to an app and also checks transfers data at the push of you ID triggers so you can
a game changer in terms of for atrial fibrillation. In a button. Not as fancy as keep them from messing with
ease, looks, and portability. American markets soon. the Withings unit, but solid. your numbers and your life.
$499; omronhealthcare.com $250; withings.com $45; mocacare.com

MEN’S HEALTH / December 2019 39