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Steady the Pressure: Everyday Habits That Help Lower High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, often called the “silent threat,” affects millions of people worldwide. While it can feel intimidating, the encouraging news is that small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a meaningful difference. Managing blood pressure isn’t about perfection—it’s about building habits that support your heart over time. Choose Heart‑Friendly Foods A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps support healthy blood pressure. Many people follow the DASH diet, which emphasizes potassium‑rich foods like bananas, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Reducing sodium intake—especially from processed foods—can also help your body maintain a healthier fluid balance. Move Your Body Regularly Physical activity strengthens your heart, allowing it to pump blood with less effort. Even 30 minutes of brisk walking most days of the week can have a noticeable impact. The key is consistency, not intensity. Manage Stress Thoughtfully Chronic stress can contribute to el...

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US Stocks Slip, Bond Yields Rise as Rate-Cut Bets Cool



US stocks slid on Wednesday as bond yields rose, as optimism for fast interest-rate cuts waned ahead of fresh jobs data and the release of Federal Reserve meeting minutes.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) fell 0.3% while the benchmark S&P 500 (GSPC) slipped about 0.5%. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) dropped roughly 0.7% after a bruising session that saw tech stocks shed almost 1.6%.

Hopes that the year-end market rally would roll on into 2024 took a battering on Tuesday as stock indexes and bond prices sank in tandem for their worst start to a year in decades. Bonds are headed lower for a fourth day, pushing the 10-year Treasury yield (TNX) up near 4%.

Traders have started pulling back on bets on Fed interest-rate cuts, with 74% now pricing in a March pivot, compared with 89% a week ago, per the CME FedWatch Tool.

Minutes of the Fed’s December meeting due later could give a window into how near officials think they are to easing up on tightening, so they can nail a “soft landing” for the economy.

Eyes will also be on the JOLTS report on job openings, given the unexpected resilience of the labor market has fed into expectations of a Fed shift. Wednesday’s data will set expectations for the December US monthly jobs report coming Friday.

After a rough first day of trading, investor attention on Wednesday will turn to the labor market with the monthly update on job openings and turnover — known as the JOLTS report — set for release at 10:00 a.m. ET.

A decline in job openings throughout 2023 served as an early indicator the US labor market was slowing, and Wednesday’s data will serve as a key table-setter ahead of Friday’s December jobs report.


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