Prevent High Blood Pressure

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure then your first priority is to go in for treatments and prevention to control your pressure. This ‘silent killer’ disease can affect your heart and kidneys from functioning normally and make you prone to life-threatening situations. To prevent high blood pressure from taking its deadly toll on you, some precautions need to be taken which under any circumstances should not be ignored or stopped. Here we shall discuss a few points on how you can prevent high blood pressure.

Maintain a normal weight

This is particularly for those of you who are obese and show no signs of losing weight. If you continue gaining weight this will cause more pressure on your heart which can make you blood pressure levels rise to alarming heights and you may risk having a stroke or a heart attack or even kidney failure. Thus consultations with your doctor on burning the calories will help to reduce your excess weight and maintain a balance.

Eat nutritious and balanced meals

You should have meals that have more of vegetables and fruits which are helpful in lowering your high blood pressure levels. Intake of low fat foods and avoiding those that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol will help to prevent high blood pressure.

Have less of salt and sodium

Americans consume foods that are high in salt and sodium. The key ingredients which are lethal for your blood pressure are salt and sodium. To prevent high blood pressure, refrain from using canned and processed foods, fast food items like pizzas or if you do buy the convenience foods, make sure to rinse them before use or buy them only if they are low in salt. Change your habit if you are used to using salt at the table. Always buy fresh vegetables, fish, poultry and lean meat.

Drink alcohol in moderation

Excessive consumption of alcohol is detrimental for your health as you risk higher chances of increased blood pressure. If you are a man the recommended amount is 2 drinks per day and if you are a woman then you should not exceed 1 drink per day. Besides other health hazards such as cancer, damage to the brain, liver, heart and pancreas due to intake of excessive alcohol, it is also high in calories which lead to weight gain.

Make sure you exercise regularly

Any light physical activity is a very effective method to prevent high blood pressure. This helps to burn your calories and maintain your ideal body weight. By exercising regularly you are less prone to heart risking diseases and higher levels of cholesterol. Vigorous activities such as swimming and aerobics help you to keep your heart and lungs fit. To start on exercises it is not necessary to consult your doctor but if you feel any pain or pressure in your chest and shoulders, feel dizzy, run out of breath after a workout or if you are of the older age group and want to start on an exercising program then it is better to seek your doctor’s advice.