Seems Americans forgot how to live healthy. Eat lots of fruit and veggies, lean meats, WHOLE grains, and keep the fat, sugar and processed foods to a minimum! I don't adhere to that 100%, but I am changing the way I eat as well. I need to!
I have always stayed a little active at least. I, too, love bicycling, but also walking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and just being outdoors. No clue what my blood pressure is, but since last month I started a whole new eat healthy and get at least 5 days a week of 30-60 minutes of exercise in. I work in a factory, but I am on my feet MOVING around all night, never in one spot. Some times I might not be doing super strenuous exercise, but even getting out of the house and shooting a multi-pump pneumatic air gun is a little bit of a workout
And the fresh air and vitamin D can't hurt, either!
If you smoke cigarettes, quit. Pipes/cigars use in moderation, a few here and there I don't believe are horrible for you. I have never found pipes or cigars to be addicting. Cigarettes, however, are the work of the devil! You do have to WANT to quit, or you never will...I quit because I was looking at (the last cigarette of the pack I had) and thinking "why am I doing this to myself?" Needless to say I have had ONE cigarette since, it was a real bad day, and I hated the thing.
If you have diabetes, Check your blood sugar, keep it where its supposed to be, and eat foods that keep your sugar in your target zone! High blood pressure? exercise and eat right. If that doesn't work, make sure you get a prescription for it and take it every day! High cholesterol? Again eat right and exercise, medications are a last resort. Some are genetically prone to high bp/cholesterol, so meds are a blessing there.
Lastly STRESS. Keep it to a minimum. Stress is bad for you, and increases BP, as well as can cause other health issues. Relax once in a while, read a book, sit outdoors, or go fishing! Nature is so beautiful its hard not to be relaxed when your surrounded by it. Move to the country, its less stressful than the city
Take care of yourselves!