Hypertension symptoms may be subtle or even non-existent, but high blood pressure boosts the risks of leading killers such as heart attack and stroke, as well as aneurysms, cognitive decline and kidney failure.

While high blood pressure can't be cured, it's important to manage it. Healthy lifestyle changes like weight loss, a healthy diet and exercise are very important factors. Summertime is a good time to review blood pressure medications with your doctor and make sure that you are taking care of yourself in the hot weather, which can be more stressful for people with hypertension. Homebound seniors need to be especially careful as summer heats up.

As a registered nurse with VNSNY CHOICE Health Plans, from the not-for-profit Visiting Nurse Service of New York, I'm given the responsibility to help the older population deal with the problems that occur with aging. Here are some of my suggested tips that can help you keep high blood pressure under control as the temperatures rises. Manage Your Medication

Per the above research, ask your doctor if prescribed diuretics may be helpful for you; he or she will help you outweigh the benefits and potential side effects. It's also important to keep an up-to-date list of all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter or nonprescription medications or supplements. A medication container or pillbox can serve as a reminder of when to take the pills – and can help you plan up to a week in advance. It is also important to try using one pharmacy for all of your medications as this fosters a good relationship between you and your pharmacist and decreases medication errors or interactions. Change Your Diet Gradually

Gradually changing your diet instead of making drastic changes or "yo-yo" dieting will result in better long-term success. Slowly increase your use of fat free and low fat dairy products to three servings per day. For example, drink milk with lunch or dinner instead of soda, sugar-sweetened tea, or alcohol. Choose low fat (1%) or fat free (skim) dairy products to reduce your intake of saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, and calories. If you now eat one or two vegetables per day, add a serving at lunch and another at dinner.

Incorporate Exercise into a Daily Routine

Exercise is important in controlling blood pressure and preventing complications, but it doesn't have to be boring! Pick an activity you enjoy and make it part of your daily routine: walk to visit a neighbor or pick up the mail, or just walk to your favorite park bench located under a good shade tree—taking your dog for a walk around the neighborhood is another way to get a little exercise and fresh air. It's important to decrease the time spent sitting watching television or on the computer, so remember to get up to stretch! Monitor Your Blood Pressure At Home