How to Reduce Blood Pressure
When you have high blood pressure, it can be frightening but understanding how to reduce blood pressure can give you some peace. While high blood pressure can be very dangerous, it can also be controlled through medications and making some lifestyle changes.
When it comes to medication, your doctor will work with you to decide if it’s appropriate for you. For some people blood pressure isn’t quite high enough to recommend medication, but it is high enough to start paying more attention to it.
It’s important to keep track of your blood pressure regularly. You’ll want to take your blood pressure a few times a week to see if you notice patterns. If you’re taking medication, monitoring your blood pressure will help make sure you’re getting the correct dose.
If you’re not taking medication, monitoring your blood pressure can help you to see if your lifestyle changes are making a difference and if your blood pressure is going up enough to talk with your doctor.
Knowledge is power. When you have high blood pressure it’s important to learn as much as you can about monitoring it and taking care of it. You may want to read books, talk with your doctor and study reputable websites for more information.
It’s also important to evaluate your lifestyle. A few questions you should ask yourself include:
- Am I at my ideal weight?
- Do I exercise?
- What kind of diet do I eat?
- Do I smoke?
- How much alcohol do I consume?
- How stressful is my life?
- Do I feel any symptoms from high blood pressure?
As you evaluate your lifestyle, choose one area at a time in which to make changes. For example, if you don’t have an active lifestyle it may be a good idea to set a goal to exercise a few times each week.
If you need to lose weight, you may want to focus on good nutrition and keeping salt under control in your diet. Making sure you drink alcohol only in moderation can also help you to reduce blood pressure.
Another critical factor is tobacco use. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, this is a great time to quit. You’ll see a decrease in your blood pressure when you no longer use these stimulants that can raise your heart rate and blood pressure.
Pay attention, also, to your stress levels. Lowering your stress levels and learning some coping skills for stress can be keys to understanding how to reduce blood pressure.
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