Century Park Blog

One in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. 50.6% of Hispanic males and 40.8% of Hispanic females struggle with this. A healthy lifestyle can prevent hypertension and keep your heart healthy and can be done while still honoring your culture and traditions.

Here are five healthy ways to celebrate your heritage and family traditions.

Food: What we eat is part of our cultural identity. Add color to your plate by eating more vegetables and reduce sodium intake. Nopales have many health benefits and can be used as a meat substitute to help reduce blood pressure.

Drink: Increase your fruit intake by making colorful fresh juices – just make sure and stick to fruits that are low in sugar content.

Activity: Music is a great way to spice up a workout and celebrate your culture. Try a dance class or put on your favorite music and go for a walk. 30 minutes of physical activity a day promotes heart health.

Family: Family traditions bring us together. Include your family on your health journey and invite them to exercise and try new recipes with you. Spending time with loved ones can also help relieve stress, which lowers blood pressure.

Community: Our neighborhoods and communities help shape our culture. Join local health groups and go to community health events. Studies have shown that if you do healthy activities with people in your community, you will be more motivated.