If you have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, three morning habits worth avoiding are:
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Skipping prescribed medication — Take blood-pressure or cholesterol medicines exactly as prescribed. Don’t stop them because you feel well.
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Starting the day with a high-sodium, high-saturated-fat breakfast — Foods such as processed meats, salty packaged foods, fried foods, and some bakery items can work against blood-pressure and cholesterol goals. Favor foods rich in fiber, whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and unsaturated fats.
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Smoking or using tobacco first thing in the morning — Nicotine can temporarily raise blood pressure and heart rate and contributes to cardiovascular disease risk.
A useful morning routine is medication as prescribed + a lower-sodium, high-fiber breakfast + some regular physical activity, such as a brisk walk if your clinician says exercise is appropriate.
If you tell me your age, blood-pressure readings, cholesterol numbers (LDL/HDL/triglycerides), and current medicines, I can explain which morning habits are particularly relevant to your situation.
