Editor’s note: Physicians, providers and administrative staff who practice at Maui Health hospitals and clinics answer questions from the public in “Healthwise Maui,” which appears on Thursdays. Maui Health operates Maui Memorial Medical Center, Maui Memorial Medical Center Outpatient Clinic, Kula Hospital & Clinic and Lana’i Community Hospital and accepts all patients. To submit a question, go to the website at MauiHealth.org/healthwise.

Q: What’s the best way to lower my blood pressure? 

Dr. Wazhma Alsamy, Cardiologist, Pacific Permanente Group: High blood pressure is a serious health problem because it can damage your blood vessels and stress your heart. This increases the risk of severe health problems like heart attack and stroke.  

Often, you can lower your blood pressure and keep it under control by making lifestyle changes, starting with a healthy diet. The Mediterranean diet has been proven to be heart-healthy. Try to eat a balance of whole grains, lean protein, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, and avoid saturated fat and cholesterol.  

Reducing your salt intake can also be extremely helpful in lowering your blood pressure. Try cooking at home or preparing your own food, since processed or packaged foods tend to be high in sodium. Use herbs, spices, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a splash of vinegar to add salt-free flavor.  

DASH is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life. You can download materials from nhlbi.nih.gov to help you get started.  

Drinking alcohol is known to increase blood pressure, and it can also interfere with many blood pressure medications. So limit your alcohol consumption to one drink a day for women or two for men. Or, consider avoiding alcohol altogether.  

Losing excess weight, even just a few pounds, can help lower your blood pressure. And if you smoke, take steps to quit. Not only does smoking increase blood pressure, it also increases your risk of heart disease and other health problems. 

Getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and increasing your physical activity can also make a big difference in lowering your blood pressure. 

Finally, work with your care team. Depending on your risk factors, your doctor may want you to take medication to help lower your blood pressure, keep it under control, and reduce your risk of more severe problems. Keep up with your appointments and blood pressure monitoring at home, and take all medications as your doctor prescribes. 

Maui Memorial Medical Center has been recognized for excellence in heart and stroke care by the American Heart Association. Visit mauihealth.org/heart to learn more. 

Q: How can I help my teen make safe driving decisions? 

Cameron Rogers, Trauma Injury Prevention & Outreach Coordinator, Maui Health: As a parent, you play a vital role in helping your teen become a safe and responsible driver. Teen drivers face a higher risk of crashes due to inexperience, immaturity, and risky behaviors like speeding and distracted driving. Fortunately, many of these crashes can be prevented, and there are resources available to help parents talk with their teens about safety and set appropriate rules for driving. 

Start by making sure your newly licensed teen understands Hawaii’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws, which include restrictions on nighttime driving and transporting other children and teens. These rules have been shown to significantly reduce teen fatalities and crashes when they are followed.  

Establish a driving contract for your teen to sign. This can have rules like no phone use while driving, curfew expectations and other crucial safety measures. By signing a contract, both parents and teens commit to a plan reducing future battles over misunderstandings of rules. Read through the contract with your teen and make sure they understand why each rule is there and how it supports their safety. Studies show teens are more likely to follow rules and make safer choices when families talk about driving responsibly. Visit mauihealth.org/drivesafe for sample driving contracts that include important car-use rules that are often overlooked.  

Teach your teen about the danger of driving drowsy and how it can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Encourage them to always call you or another trusted adult if they feel impaired or if their driver doesn’t seem safe to drive. Even if they are not 100% sure but are worried their driver may not be safe, they should play it safe and call you.  

Remember that being a good role model is one of the best ways to teach your teen to be a safe driver. By consistently wearing your seat belt, following speed limits, and staying off your phone behind the wheel, you set a strong example for them to follow. Make it a point to practice safe driving habits together, providing positive reinforcement when they make safe driving decisions. By setting clear rules, addressing risks, and modeling responsible behavior, you help your teen become a responsible driver and keep them and others safe. 

To support Maui County’s parents and teen drivers, Maui Memorial Medical Center’s Trauma Outreach team visits high school students to warn them of the dangers of reckless and distracted driving. If you have suffered a loss due to a car crash and are interested in joining our program to talk to teens about the dangers of distracted and intoxicated driving, visit mauihealth.org/drivesafe or call/text 808-264-1082.