What Can You Do About High Blood Pressure?by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 05 Jun 2007 07:51 PM Some risk factors for high blood pressure are things you can't help. You can't change your race, or your gender, or your family history. However, there are some things you CAN do to help lower your high blood pressure.
- Lose weight. Many people with hypertension are also overweight. Losing weight will help reduce the strain on your heart (and other organs) and will often lead to a drop in blood pressure.
- Eat a healthy diet. Cutting back on salt can help lower blood pressure. Make sure your diet has plenty of fruits and veggies and try to stick to fat free and low fat dairy products.
- Be physically active. Lack of activity contributes to obesity and increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. Try to get moving at least three times a week, but the more you can do, the better you'll feel. The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most or all days of the week!
- Limit alcohol and tobacco. Some studies have shown that drinking more than 4 ounces of 80-proof alcohol daily can raise your blood pressure. Drink in moderation! Smoking, however, is dangerous all around. Time to quit.
- Take your blood pressure medicine as instructed. This one sounds like an obvious thing to do, but if you skip doses or try to change the amount of medicine you're taking without talking to your doctor, you may do yourself more harm than good.
- Look at the other medications you take. Some medications can raise blood pressure or interfere with the workings of your blood pressure medicine. Talk to your doctor about ALL the medicines you take -- both prescription and over the counter.
- Reduce stress. Stress may or may not be a direct contributor to blood pressure, but it contributes to other risk factors. Exercise is actually a GREAT stress buster!
- Work with your doctor/health care professional. If you aren't willing to make the effort, your blood pressure isn't going to change very much at all.
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