High blood pressure is a dangerous modern day disease which is affecting a large number of people. New cases are emerging every day. This disease, if left uncontrolled, can cause severe damage. High blood pressure is defined as when your blood pressure is higher than normal range and it stays high on 3 different occasions when you get it checked by your doctor. Once you are labelled as a patient of high blood pressure, it stays same for the rest of the life. You can only control this disease and it cannot be cured.
High blood pressure usually has no detectable reason behind it and hence it is called essential hypertension. This is usually a problem of older age group and is more frequent in people with family history. So if your mother, father, or any other close blood relation is suffering from hypertension, there is increased risk for you to face this disease.
High blood pressure can also occur in younger age groups. The causes in younger age group can be different. Usually it is some hormonal cause which raises the blood pressure beyond normal limits.
Whatever the age of patient is, blood pressure is a dangerous disease and there is a need to control it in normal limits. Otherwise, it can damage all organs of your body, kidney being on the top. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can also lead to heart problems as well.
Your doctor prescribes drugs according to your condition that help bring your blood pressure down. Once you are diagnosed with hypertension, you have to take these medicines for rest of your life along with taking other precautions. Following are a few remedies that will help you control your blood pressure within normal ranges to make sure that you don’t face dangerous complications of this disease.
Cut Down On Salt
Normal table salt that you use from day to day is called sodium chloride in scientific language. Sodium and chloride are important electrolytes in your body which help maintain your blood pressure. Excessive amount of salt therefore can cause high blood pressure in people who are hypertensive because their mechanism to excrete excess of salt is usually impaired. So use lesser amount of salt. It will help control your blood pressure.
Cut Down On Sodium Containing Foods
As described earlier, sodium is an electrolyte which is mainly responsible to maintain your blood pressure. Excess of it can cause high blood pressure in hypertensive people. Always read your food labels to check the amount of sodium. If amount is high, skip the food.
Cutting down on sodium can decrease your blood pressure by 6 to 8 mmHg.
Exercise And Walk Regularly
Make a 30 minute walk or exercise a part of your daily routine. It doesn’t only help cope with your high blood pressure issue but it is good for your general health as well.
You can opt any type of exercise that fancies you. It may include brisk walk, jogging, swimming, or playing some sports. Exercise can reportedly reduce your blood pressure by 4 to 9 mmHg.
Weight Loss Is Important
Being overweight is a cause of many dangerous diseases. It can also cause you high blood pressure. Being overweight causes you sleep apnea that can further raise your blood pressure.
So if you are suffering from hypertension, lose those extra pounds. It will help reducing your blood pressure and will save you from various other diseases as well.
Get Stress Free
Stress is a major cause of high blood pressure. Cutting down on it can bring your high blood pressure down in no time. So review your life and get rid of things that are causing you stress. Lower your expectations from people and start forgiving. Learn to overcome your anger and ignore annoying acts. It is good for your own health and stress only does bad things to you.
Stop Taking Caffeinated Drinks
Caffeine has the ability to raise your blood pressure. It makes heart beat faster and also causes high blood pressure. So if you are suffering from hypertension, cut down on caffeine.
Caffeine is usually present in tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, and energy drinks. Replace these drinks with fresh juices or plain water.
Stop Using Alcohol
If you are a binge drinker, alcohol can raise your blood pressure. So either use moderate amounts of alcohol or cut down on it completely. It is not worth your health.
