Simple Solutions for Controlling High Blood Pressure

Controlling High Blood Pressure -The Problem

Controlling high blood pressure is a common undertaking recommended by Physicians to anyone with a blood pressure over 140/90mm Hg. Blood pressure higher than this amount is considered dangerous. To begin we need to understand what causes high blood pressure. Finding the solution to any problem means first fully understanding the problem.  When plaque buildup of cholesterol and fat clogs our blood vessels then the heart has to work overtime to pump blood through our blood vessels to reach the vital organs. This strain on the heart to pump harder is what causes high blood pressure. What are the risks for not controlling high blood pressure? Hypertension or High blood pressure often is a forerunner to heart disease, not properly controlling high blood pressure can lead to a stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, even premature death. Since there are many factors that contribute to high blood pressure many steps can be taken for controlling high blood pressure.

The Risk Factors

First we should look at the risk factors to determine what factors pertain to our own lives and of them what factors can be reduced or avoided for controlling high blood pressure. Smoking or being exposed to second hand smoke daily is one, as well as frequent consumption of alcohol. Some risk factors are unavoidable such as family history of hypertension, and old age. Being overweight or leading and inactive lifestyle also contributes in controlling high blood pressure. Taking oral contraceptives, having kidney disease and diabetes are some other risk factors. If you have any of these risk factors then it is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly.

Great Tips for Controlling High Blood Pressure

A great tip is to quit smoking, because smoking speeds up the process of hardening the arteries, and injures the blood vessel walls. Quitting smoking is not easy but there are many support programs and products that can help. Also your overall health would be much better and you would lower your risk for other potential life threatening problems associated with smoking.

Limiting Alcohol intake, drinking too much can raise blood pressure. If you choose to drink it is recommended to only drink one drink to two drinks maximum a day for controlling High Blood Pressure.

Diet for Controlling High Blood Pressure

Being obese or overweight is another risk factor that we can take steps to control. If you are overweight and have hypertension losing even 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure. To lose weight one must eat fewer calories than one burn. This means observing a healthy diet while maintaining an exercise regimen. If you have to lose weight it’s important to keep in mind how long it took to put the weight on. You cannot expect to lose it overnight. Simply losing ½ a pound to 2 pounds a week is a great goal, and the resources and information available to help you along in the endeavor are countless. Diet and exercise routines and lowering your sodium intake may also prevent or control other health concerns, while controlling high blood pressure.