The American Heart Association estimates one in three adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure and nearly a third don't even know they have it. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack and heart or kidney failure.
The Heart Association has some tips on how to control what is often called the silent killer:

1) Know your numbers. Get regular checkups. Your blood pressure is considered to be normal if it is below 120/80. Hypertension starts at 140/90.

2) Watch what you eat. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grain, high fiber foods.

3) Shake the habit. Avoid salty foods. Processed, canned and prepared foods are often high in sodium. The Heart Association says healthy Americans should limit their daily salt intake to less than one teaspoon.

4) Don't drink up. Limit alcohol intake to one drink a day if you're a woman and two drinks a day if you're a man. Heavy drinking can increase blood pressure.

5) Get moving. You've heard it before, but regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure.

Finally, find ways to lower your stress levels. Meditation, deep breathing and relaxation exercises may help you get your blood pressure under control.

Judy Fortin's Health Minute segment runs daily on Headline News from 10am to 6pm ET weekdays.

Lenders are boosting the credit scores they require to lend consumers money. Just last week, GMAC, the finance arm of GM, said it would require a score of 700 in order to lend to borrowers buying cars. Here's what you need to know.

1) Pay your bills on time

That's 35 percent of your score right there. Lenders look at your payment history as far back as seven years, but the older the data the less impact it has. They really scrutinize the last 24 months.

2) Get a mix of credit

You need to handle several types of credit successfully to get the very best scores. Credit cards are part of the picture, but certainly not the only thing. Having a mortgage improves your rep with credit bureaus and can enhance your score if you pay it faithfully on time. You should also have and pay on time an installment loan, like a car loan.

3) Credit Application

People who have credit scores in the 760-780 range aren’t applying in the department store for a credit card. In fact, they aren’t applying for anything. Another key if you want the best credit – use only 10 percent of your available credit limit on any credit card and don’t cancel old cards.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 11:15 am Eastern Time.

Snoring is not only bad for the snorer, but also for the person lying next to him or her. In fact, one study found 23 percent of spouses of snorers report having to sleep in another room because the noise got so bad. Snoring occurs when the tissue and muscle in the throat get so relaxed, it narrows their airway. As a result, the sleeper's breathing – inhaling and exhaling – become forced, similar to getting air through a straw, and the noise begins.

Many people think there is nothing that can be done, but the good news is several new options are available to help curb the symptoms.

IMPLANT IN SOFT PALLET: Several small implants can be inserted into the top of your mouth to help harden the tissue and open the airway. Sleep experts say it has a 75 percent success rate and only takes 15 minutes. Downside: not covered by insurance.

TONGUE TREATMENT: This may sound scary but its becoming increasingly popular across the U.S. A doctor injects radio frequency waves into the base of the tongue to make it smaller and allow more air to get through.

CUSTOM MOUTHPIECE: A dentist can make a custom mouthpiece for you to wear as your sleep. It will move the jaw forward, opening up your passageway. Worth noting, some sleep experts suggest staying away from over-the counter versions.

Not quite ready for aggressive treatments?
Here are some things you can do for free, at home, to limit your snoring.

DON'T SLEEP ON YOUR BACK: Sleeping on your back causes gravity to pull down the relaxed tissue in your mouth on block your airways. Sleeping on your side will help.

AVOID ALCOHOL: Avoid alcohol and other relaxants before bed.

LOSE WEIGHT: Studies show losing just 5 to 10 pounds can have a huge impact on how much you snore.

If you regularly snore, you should see a doctor because it could be a sign of a very dangerous condition know as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea prevents oxygen, for small periods of time, from reaching your heart and brain. The short-term dangers are high blood pressure and daytime drossiness but could lead to more serious side effects such as heart attack and stroke.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

News reports today are reflecting another painful toll of the nation’s financial crisis:  A growing number of suicides linked to the economic difficulties we've been living with for the past weeks and months. The tragedies include a 90-year-old widow who shot herself right before being evicted and a 45-year-old former money manager who shot his wife and children before killing himself because of the financial trouble he was in.      

Not surprisingly, suicides and psychiatric hospitalizations peak when the economy is at its lowest,  according to the American Psychiatric Association.  If you already suffer from depression or anxiety then financial stress, job loss, foreclosures will only make things worse.

So far we're talking about a dozen suicides. There may be nearly a half-million foreclosures nationwide and many more feeling financially strapped, most people are NOT turning to suicide.

However, there are warning signs to lookfor. Dr. Douglas Jacobs, chair of the American Psychiatric Work Group on Suicidal Behaviors, offers these:

            Suicide Warning Signs
• Threatening suicide or self-harm
• Looking for ways to kill oneself (weapons, pills or other means)
• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
• Feeling desperate or trapped
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Feeling there is no reason or purpose to live
• Expressing rage, intense anger or seeking revenge
• Feelings of intense anxiety or panic
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends or family

             If you find yourself having suicidal thoughts, here are some options you may want to consider:
• Call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Go to the hospital and check yourself into the emergency room
• Tell someone who can help you get help
• Stay away from things that can hurt you

            The American Psychiatric Association suggests the following phrases may be an indication that someone is in trouble:
• "I'm finished."
• "It's all over."
• "My family would be better off without me."
• "There's no hope. There's nothing I can do." 
• "I made a tremendous blunder."

            If you think your loved one or friend is in trouble, the non-profit organization "Screening for Mental Health Inc" encourages you to "ACT"

Acknowledge: Take warning signs seriously. Don't ignore a friend of loved one's threats.

Care: Be willing to listen. Don't be afraid to ask if he/she is considering suicide or has a particular plan or method in mind. Let the person know you care and understand. Reassure them that they are not alone, but try not to be confrontational.
Treatment: Encourage your friend/family member to get help immediately. Help them find a knowledgeable mental health professional or a reputable treatment facility.
Do not leave a suicidal individual alone. If all else fails, call 911.
           
            You can find more information on suicide and suicide prevention at:

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education: http://www.save.org

APA's consumer Web site, www.HealthyMinds.org
            American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – http://www.afsp.org
            American Association of Suicidology  – http://www.suicidology.org
            Suicide Prevention Action Network – http://www.spanusa.org

When the $700 billion bailout passed through Congress on October 3, the results were anything but immediate: the credit market remained frozen and investors were still jittery, resulting in massive stock sell-offs last week.

So Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and President Bush buckled down and set to work deciding how exactly the government would use its newly granted powers to shore up the still faltering U.S. economy.

On Monday, stocks rallied on the Treasury’s announcement that it would buy a direct stake in U.S. banks and make loans to several central banks in Europe for any amount needed. The Dow shot up a record 936 points. Tuesday morning, President Bush and Secretary Paulson unveiled even more details about the new and improved bailout plan. Let’s take a look.

1. Direct investment in banks. The government will spend $250 billion to purchase shares in American banks. Roughly half of that will go to nine of the nation’s largest banks, and this number could still grow. The goal is to jump start the credit market by giving banks the confidence to start making loans to each other, to businesses, and to individuals.

2. Rules on CEO compensation. The nine major banks have agreed to accept limits on executive pay in exchange for government capital. Golden parachutes for executives will not be issued while the government remains a shareholder.

3. FDIC insurance on non-interest accounts. President Bush announced all bank deposits in non-interest bearing accounts are now insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. These accounts are usually used by small businesses, and the insurance aims to quell worries about payroll and large deposits. The government is also temporarily backing most new bank debt.

These moves reflect a marked change of course for the government bailout. The government’s first intent was simply to buy up toxic assets from troubled financial institutions. Now, it is actually injecting capital into banks directly. It’s a sign of how dire circumstances have become, but also of how flexible the government is willing to be in addressing the unfolding financial crisis.

I'll never forget the thrill and chaos of bringing our first-born child home from the hospital.  My husband and I had spent so much time focusing on the birth process we weren't quite prepared for life with a fragile newborn.   We must have done something right over the years because our daughter is now a healthy, well-adjusted high school freshman. 

For many new parents the first few months with baby can be a confusing blur of feedings, diaper changes and doctors visits.  There's been a lot written about moms who suffer from postpartum depression, but experts now report it is possible for dads to go through a similar struggle.

Psychotherapist Will Courtenay, founder of Saddaddy.com, says male postpartum depression is different from the milder form of daddy blues.  The former can last for months and have long-term consequences for a man's marriage, his child and career.

Courtenay has some advice for men who may have conflicting feelings following the birth of a child.

1)  What's going on? The most important step is for a father to recognize that he might be depressed. Sleep deprivation, financial stress and hormonal changes can all contribute to negative thoughts and feelings. A wife or partner is often the first to notice that something is not right.

2) Get help. Left untreated, postpartum mood disorders can often get worse. A psychologist or psychiatrist can help properly treat depression. The combination of talk therapy and medication is considered by some experts to be the most effective approach in treating depression. It might also help to join a support group for new fathers.

3) Think ahead. Fathers-to-be may be able to prevent postpartum depression by anticipating trouble before the birth. Evaluate family finances before a child is born and consider how things will change. If a man is having trouble communicating with his partner, they should seek out a marriage counselor.

Finally, Courtenay recommends anyone with a history of depression see a mental health professional before a child is born to work through any issues that may be causing anxiety and stress.

Judy Fortin's Health Minute segment runs daily on Headline News from 10am to 6pm ET weekdays.

Your 401k is plummeting. Your bank needs a bailout. You’re worried about your job. Never perhaps since the Great Depression has there been a more legitimate time to stress out.

A new study by Emory University researchers suggests a new, yet old, way to de-stress. Drawing on ancient Tibetan Buddhist teachings, Compassion Meditation teaches people to meditate on why they dislike someone, and how to take a more empathetic view of that person.

The goal is to change the perception of the disliked person; the theory is this can help someone brighten their view of the world as a whole.

The study showed that those who practiced Compassion Meditation had physiological changes that indicated lower stress levels. When presented with a stressful task, study subjects who’d practiced Compassion Meditation had lower levels of a stress hormone called cortisol compared to those who weren’t taught the meditation method. Distress scores, as measured by a 30-item profile, were lower among the meditators.

Lower stress levels have been linked to better immune function and lower rates of a variety of diseases, including depression and cancer.

"We’re using meditation to try to generate positive emotions and thoughts about everybody, whether you like them personally or you don't like them personally," says Dr. Charles Raison, assistant professor of psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine. "It’s a way of using meditative concentration to change your mind so you say, 'I should be more equitable towards everybody.'"

Study subjects who saw physiological benefits meditated for about 20 minutes per day, four to five days per week.

Other stress busting techniques that don't require a lot of time include exercises at your desk, listening to tranquil music, and keeping a stress diary. Click here for a demonstration of how to do chair squats; click here for free relaxation music, and click here for advice on how to keep a diary of what triggers stress for you.

CNN's Matt Sloane and Tanika Gray contributed to this report.

It's never too early to start thinking about bone health. Our bones anchor our muscles. They protect our organs and they also provide good posture. So keeping them strong is critical at every age.

The best way to ensure good bone health is to get plenty of calcium in your diet. Here are the daily recommended amounts you need, broken down by age:

Age 9 to 18: 1,300 milligrams a day

Age 19 to 50: 1,000 milligrams a day

Age 50+: 1,200 milligrams a day

Some good sources of calcium include dairy products, soy, dark-green leafy vegetables and nuts. If you are going to choose a calcium supplement, be sure to note the serving size. The bottle may say 1,200mg but it could take four pills to reach that amount.

Another good rule of thumb when purchasing supplements is to check the label for a "USP" stamp, which stands for U.S. Pharmacopeia. While supplements aren't FDA regulated, the ones labeled "USP" indicate the manufacturer met the voluntary standard for quality and purity of the supplement.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

A massive financial bailout package was passed by Congress on Friday, but frozen credit markets remain stalled and stock investors still have a bad case of the jitters.

Banks are afraid to issue new loans to businesses and individuals alike - loans that are the lifeblood of the economy. Individuals use them to buy cars, houses and dishwashers, and businesses use them to cover day-to-day expenses, including a little thing called payroll. With no loans to cover short-term expenses, businesses may have to figure out a way to save somewhere (read: job cuts), and that’s a situation nobody wants.

When it was first proposed, some considered the $700 billion government bailout package a drastic step - it is the largest government intervention into the economy since the Great Depression - but the passage into law has not kick-started credit markets yet.

That’s why the government might be might be considering more radical steps to jumpstart confidence in the economy. In my last blog, I told you some of the tools the Fed and the Treasury Department have used so far. On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the government is considering “all options” to shore up the U.S. economy, and reports of possible options under consideration have proliferated. Let’s take a look at what Plan B is starting to look like:

1. The government could take direct ownership stakes in banks. Reports out say the government is considering exercising a new power granted it in the bailout bill to directly inject capital into banks in exchange for ownership stakes. The thinking is that this would instill enough confidence - and cash - in these banks to spur more lending. But, it’s a move that makes market purists cringe, who loathe growing government interference in the economy.

2. The government could continue to lend gobs of cash to troubled financial institutions. On Wednesday, the Fed said it will lend $40 billion more to insurance giant AIG. That’s on top of the $85 billion the government gave AIG last month. The government’s lending policies are very flexible given the bailout, and lending to troubled financial giants will likely continue. It’s considered a less extreme measure than actually buying ownership shares of a company.

3. The Fed might cut interest rates even further. On Wednesday, the Fed, in conjunction with 5 other central banks around the world, cut its benchmark rate by half a percentage point. It was the first time in history that the central banks have acted together to cut interest rates. Since the credit market remained stalled even after the announcement, a further interest rate cut could be possible.

The point of all this is, of course, that the government is not out of options. But this is really a trial-and-error method. There is no precedent for this sort of global downturn, and the even the financial wizards at the Fed and Treasury Department can’t know how investors and banks will react to their decisions. Even drastic measures may have little effect. In a lot of ways, it’s just a waiting game.

Both the Fed and the Treasury Department have been working overtime recently to stem what is now a global financial crisis that only seems to be growing.

It started with a wave of "write-downs" by Wall Street firms who stuffed their portfolios with now toxic mortgage-backed securities, and other debt instruments related to America's down housing market. Fears spread as the very financial system itself appeared in danger of collapse when a wave of big banks started to be insolvent, because it seemed everyone had placed bad bets on real estate.

That in turn, led to a freeze on credit - the very engine that funds the day-to-day operations of businesses all over the country. Banks stopped lending to each other and tightened lending standards to the public. That caused panic in the stock market - with Monday alone seeing an 800 point drop in the Dow during the trading day before closing higher, but still below the 10,000 mark.

Now, that fear has spread the world over, with stocks in Asia and the Middle East tanking, and markets in Europe struggling to stay out of the red as the continent deals with its own bank failures.

All this has forced the Federal government to act to avoid a wider financial contagion, by deploying a wide array of tools to help calm the economy - some of them unprecedented. Let's take a look at some of what's being done:

1. Buy up short-term debt: In an unprecedented move, the Fed announced Tuesday that it will now provide cash to companies by buying up unsecured and collateralized short-term debt, otherwise know as "commercial paper," so businesses can fund their day-to-day operations with credit that had been frozen by banks.

2. Bail out financial firms: On Friday, Congress passed a bill to buy up to $700 billion of toxic securities from struggling financial firms, so they can remove these now practically worthless securities from their balance sheets, shoring up confidence in financial institutions.

3. Guarantee bank buyouts: This has been done on several recent occasions, where Fed officials negotiate buyouts with fiscal guarantees from the government, including the buyouts of Washington Mutual by JPMorgan Chase and Wachovia by Citigroup (now being challenged by rival Wells Fargo), or by lending money to insurance giant AIG in return for a large stake in the company.

4. Inject funds into the system: Last month the Fed injected $180 million in additional funds into the banking system, in conjunction with several other central banks around the globe, to increase cash "liquidity" in a bid to get money flowing in the economy

5. Trim borrowing costs: The Fed has cut interest rates several times in recent months, bringing the Fed Funds Rate down to 2 percent. Now some are predicting that another rate cut could be in the works by as much as half a percentage point; and, under new legislation passed last week, the Fed now has the power to set a floor under its main interest rate on bank reserves that some are calling a cut by "stealth."

Even with all these tools being deployed, the near future remains uncertain. The bailout did not have as positive an effect as many expected, and some speculate that, while it may prop-up the U.S. economy, it could do damage to economies abroad. Global stock markets could take a nosedive several more times, before we're out of the woods.

Still, the Fed and the Treasury have been proactive and tireless, creating new and sometimes untried tools to fight off a more drastic economic downturn. Not since the Great Depression has the federal government been so entrenched in trying to secure the nation's economy.