‘I Had Sky-High Blood Pressure for Years, Now It's 112/72—Here's What I Did'

Yahoo

26-05-2025

High blood pressure has become a reality for more and more Americans—in fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of adults have high blood pressure. This is concerning considering that high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke and heart failure. While a high blood pressure reading may leave you feeling defeated, for many, it can inspire them to spring into action. And that's what happened to 36-year-old Ashley (Aevie) Vielma. The Houston, Texas resident knew that her blood pressure was climbing, and she decided to do something about it.
Vielma was aware of her family's history with high blood pressure. She shares that her grandmother, mother and sister, along with other family members, have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. She also lacked a consistent exercise routine, and it didn't help that she ate a 'poor diet' that was high in salty, processed foods and saturated fats. She also admits that low-quality sleep was to blame. 'I would fall asleep with my phone and rarely got more than six hours of sleep each night,' she says, adding that she was always stressed out and dehydrated. Consequently, Vielma became pre-hypertensive in her late 20s in 2015, with a reading of 125/82. 'My worst number was 128/95 in 2019 during an acute period of high anxiety and stress,' she says. 'My doctor began monitoring my blood pressure regularly to make sure the elevated numbers were not sustained. Otherwise, I could have needed medication or hospitalization.' Related: Whether You're Dealing With High Blood Pressure or Want to Avoid It in the Future, Here Are the 25 Best Foods to Eat
During this period, Vielma says that she would get dizzy spells from time to time when she stood up quickly. 'I was always tired!' she says. 'I also struggled to maintain resilience. I was easily overwhelmed and my stress showed at work and at home.' Related: The One Habit That Can Lower Your Blood Pressure Overnight, According to a Cardiologist
That's when Vielma decided to take matters into her own hands. She started walking regularly and doing low-impact exercise, such as Pilates. 'I really enjoyed the classes at Club Pilates and it was easy to commit to it regularly,' she says.
She also carefully listened to her doctor and began researching healthy habits in addition to the ones she was already weaving into her life.
'Deep down, I knew that exercise alone would not be enough to reduce my blood pressure. I started getting six to eight hours of sleep regularly. I stopped screen-scrolling and set a timer on my bedroom lamp. It's lights out at 10:00 p.m. now,' she says.
She couldn't believe how much exercise and high-quality sleep were positively impacting her mind and body. 'My mood improved and I had a lot more energy,' she reveals.
Then she tackled her diet. She shares that despite how much she enjoyed indulging in her favorite foods, she ultimately knew that it was taking a toll on her health. That's when she started drinking at least two liters of water daily, which made it easier to feel satisfied instead of overeating at every meal. She looked at the salt, fat and sugar content on nutrition labels—particularly since those ingredients can affect hormone levels and the cardiovascular system.
Instead of salting her food, she used herbs to increase flavor. When she goes out to eat, she orders dressing or sauce on the side and cuts things with lemon juice to reduce the sodium. In general, fibrous veggies and lean proteins are a big part of her diet.
Additionally, she made breathing and mindfulness top priorities in her life. She now uses meditation techniques to stay present, something that contributed to lowering her blood pressure.
'Before, I was always thinking about what happens next or how I could have done something differently or better,' she says. 'Now I focus on one or two things at a time and I let the past go. This stops my mind from becoming overwhelmed, overthinking about everything little that went wrong, or all that needs to be accomplished in a week or a month.'
As a result of all of her impressive efforts, her blood pressure has stayed around 112/72 since 2020. She keeps a digital blood pressure monitor in her night table to keep track of her numbers daily.
Related: Want to Prevent Heart Disease? A Huge Study Says This Is the Exact Blood Pressure You Should Aim For
Today, Vielma is an instructor at Club Pilates, the very fitness studio that first fostered her fitness routine, and she continues to practice healthy lifestyle habits. But she never feels as if she's officially out of the woods.'It's definitely easier to stay active now as a Club Pilates instructor, but I will always keep monitoring my blood pressure to make sure I'm staying in a healthy range,' she says. 'If I ever need additional resources, such as medication, I will pursue that option.'Vielma has learned just how important blood pressure is when it comes to overall health. She advises, 'If you have a family history of high blood pressure, or had an elevated reading, and are not on medication, at least invest in a monitor to track your numbers at home. A monitor is affordable and can be a lifesaving device if a crisis ever arises.' Ashley (Aevie) Vielma, Club Pilates instructor.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 'High Blood Pressure Facts'
'I Had Sky-High Blood Pressure for Years, Now It's 112/72—Here's What I Did' first appeared on Parade on May 25, 2025