Aisha Tyler is Spotlighting Hypertension Awareness

Aisha Tyler is committed to raising awareness about hypertension. The actress is partnering with the CDC Foundation’s Hypertension Bites campaign to get more adults, particularly those in midlife, to understand their blood pressure, recognize stroke risk, and adopt manageable habits that support long-term heart health.

 In a conversation with Black Enterprise, Tyler is especially concerned about Black hypertension patients. Black people are twice as likely to experience a stroke. Tyler is sharing the ways she has added hypertension guidelines into her day-to-day life.

“My father had a stroke about 10 years ago, and he was lucky enough to be able to recover from it, but it’s had a lasting effect on his life,” she said. “He was a guy who went salsa dancing all the time. He’d always been a really vibrant kind of very muscular guy, and it just proves to you that you just don’t know. You can’t tell by looking at somebody, you can’t tell by looking at yourself in the mirror, honestly, whether you might be at risk for stroke.”

Tyler explains how both her father’s health crises and her mother’s vibrant lifestyle as an octogenarian have inspired her health journey. She’s also honest about her own habits and what she says works for her. 

“I love to eat. I love drinking. I love celebrating,” she shares. “But for me, it’s really a life of moderation. It doesn’t have to be super challenging. I walk. I monitor my blood pressure on a daily basis. When you know your numbers, then you can figure out how to improve them.”

She also recommends simple steps that anyone can begin implementing to improve their heart health. 

“The first thing is to move. Second, manage stress. Stress and blood pressure go hand-in-hand. It could just be some cleansing breaths or five minutes alone. Third, know your numbers. If you don’t know, you can’t do anything about it. Go to your doctor, be proactive in that process.”