Saturday, May 17, 2008

Lower your Blood Pressure

Hypertension Tips

Basic Facts

You can find out if you suffer from Hypertension by measuring your blood pressure on a regular basis
Hypertension means that at least one of two: systolic pressure or diastolic pressure is high

Hypertension Risks and Complications

Hypertension increases the risk of stroke by 4 to 6 times
The most common causes of hemorrhagic stroke are high blood pressure and brain aneurysms
Hypertension may also reduce your ability to think, remember and learn. Uncontrolled high blood pressure has been linked to cognitive decline and senile dementia
People who have a hypertensive parent are twice as likely to develop high blood pressure

Hypertension Types

High systolic blood pressure is as dangerous as high diastolic blood pressure
If you think you suffer from white coat hypertension, monitor your blood pressure at home, at different moments of your daily routine, in order to estimate the frequency and consistency of raised blood pressure readings
An episode of malignant hypertension calls for immediate hospitalization
Hypertensive emergencies are rare, but can be life threatening
People who suffer resistant hypertension should be conscious about nutrition, weight, exercise, substance abuse and stress management

Blood Pressure Special Concerns

The combination of birth control pills and cigarettes may be especially dangerous for some women who suffer from hypertension
Women with chronic hypertension during pregnancy are at increased risk for developing Preeclampsia
If you already have high blood pressure, pregnancy could make it more severe. Careful treatment helps ensure a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby
Diuretics and ACE inhibitors, often used to treat hypertension, are not recommended for pregnant women
Hypertension in children, as in adults, does not have symptoms, and is usually discovered only when complications occur
Children can take ACE inhibitors to help control blood pressure, but more attention should be given to potential side effects.

Hypertension Treatment

Consult your doctor about any lifestyle change you want to consider!
Sodium is present in many processed foods, so if you suffer from hight blood pressure, be sure to carefully read nutritional information. You should not consume over 2,400 mg sodium a day.
Hypertensive patients with kidney disease should avoid a high intake of potassium, as it puts an excessive load on the kidneys.
If you suffer from hypertension, be sure to choose skim or low fat varieties, which are richer in calcium. Calcium supplements have been found less effective than calcium obtained directly from food.
People who suffer from hypertension should avoid fish high in mercury, such as tuna, which may increase blood pressure.
People with diabetes should not take fish oil supplements because of the high fat content, and should consume fish directly.
Drinking is essential. Your first step towards better health and lower blood pressure is plenty of fresh water.
Even if the side effects are troubling, you cannot just stop taking your hypertension medication, since this may cause a dangerous, sudden rise in your blood pressure. Consult your doctor before any change.

Lower Blood Pressure with Exercise

Stage 3 hypertension should be treated with medication before initiating exercise therapy.
Make daily time for exercise, and try working it into your daily routine. Choose an activity you enjoy, so you may persevere over time.
If you have not been exercising regularly, and have hypertension, increase your activity level gradually.
Loosing as little as 4 kg may be enough to lower your blood pressure. It is especially important to lose abdominal fat.
Always warm up properly before exercise, in order to reduce stress on your heart and prevent higher blood pressure.
Extend the cool-down period of any workout. Blood pressure medication may lower blood pressure too much after abruptly ending exercise.
After a meal, make sure you wait at least an hour and a half before exercising.
You can exercise during your daily routine: Use stairs instead of elevators; Get off the bus one or two stops early and walk the rest; Park your car at the far end of the parking lot at work.
Find someone to exercise with – it will help you stay motivated!
Hypertensive patients should check with their doctor before starting any exercise program.
Stop exercising if you feel weakness, dizziness, chest pain or discomfort in your neck, arm, jaw or shoulder, and seek medical assistance.
In some cases, weight loss may be the only treatment needed for hypertension.
Weight loss may also enhance the effects of your hypertension medication.

Reduce Stress and Hypertension

When you are under stress, your body gives you signals. Do not ignore them.
Research shows that daily practice of slow breathing may substantially reduce blood pressure.
You cannot fight stress effectively without rest. The time you spend resting should be long enough to relax your mind as well as your body.
Regular sleeping and eating habits can make a major contribution in reducing stress and lowering blood pressure.
In order to reduce stress and lower blood pressure, try taking a short nap during the day.
Whenever you feel anxious – get things off your chest. Talk to someone you trust. This will help you manage stress.
Exercising can help reduce stress and prevent hypertension. Maintain a regular exercise routine, but do not exercise within two to three hours of bedtime.

High Blood Pressure and Substances

After smoking only two cigarettes, both systolic and diastolic pressures increase temporarily by an average of 10mmHg each. If you smoke heavily, your blood pressure is increased throughout the day.
Smoking may interfere with some blood pressure medications.
Experts estimate, that about 10 percent of hypertension cases are due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Not only coffee has Caffeine. Caffeine is also found in tea, coca-cola and chocolate.
Inform your health professional about any type of OTC medications you are using.