If you suffer from high blood pressure, there are many things that you can do in order to reduce high blood pressure. Here are some great tips to reduce high blood pressure.
Lose Weight if you are Overweight
One of the most common causes of high blood pressure is obesity, and so if you are overweight and need to reduce high blood pressure, one of the first things that you will need to do is to lose weight.
Start by eating a healthy diet. Also, incorporate more physical activity into your daily life. Exercise at least five times a week, for at least thirty minutes at a time. This will go a long way in helping you loose weight and reduce high blood pressure.
Dietary Changes
Another way to reduce high blood pressure, and this will help you in regards to losing weight as well, is to modify your diet. Foods that are high in sodium can increase blood pressure. Avoid the saltshaker when seasoning your food. Consider better seasonings such as garlic to season your food.
Also, avoid foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fats. They also can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Avoid drinking alcohol. If you must drink, women should drink no more than one drink a day, and men should limit their drinking to two drinks per day. These dietary changes will help you reduce high blood pressure and get physically fit.
Take Your Medicine
If you are prescribed medication from your doctor, make sure that you do not skip it accidentally or purposely, as these medications can reduce the strain on your heart associated with high blood pressure. While medications do not cure high blood pressure, they do help reduce high blood pressure. Do not stop taking your medication!
Self Monitoring
Self monitoring is an essential step to reduce high blood pressure. Have a blood pressure monitor, and talk to your doctor about what your blood pressure range should be. Take your blood pressure on a regular basis. Find out if there are stressors in your life that cause increases in your blood pressure. Try to avoid these things whenever possible. Self monitoring can also help your doctor to know your blood pressure patterns and help you reduce high blood pressure once and for all.
Avoid Tobacco
Another thing you can do to reduce high blood pressure is to avoid smoking or other forms of tobacco. Tobacco is not healthy in any way, and it can cause an increase in blood pressure. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, making blood pressure worse. It also causes your heart rate to increase, which can cause damage to your heart. Simply put, avoid smoking or tobacco.