How To Lower Blood Pressure
Right now I'm hoping my wife won't find any "honeydo's" for me because I don't have to drive anywhere, the weather's nice, and I'm hoping to soak up some sun and read a newspaper or two.
A couple hours ago I was reminded of the third of Americans who have hypertension, or high blood pressure. The sad truth is, many don't even realize they have it until it's too late. High blood pressure is frequently called The Silent Killer because it often strikes without warning, causing heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
Now, what causes high blood pressure?
A number of answers are sodium intake, heavy use of alcohol, saturated fat, body type, sedentary lifestyle, and huffing - which is what I call smoking. Then there's "essential hypertension" which means it's there even if we can't find a specific reason for it.
If you weigh more than you should, and if so you're definitely not alone, and if you have an office job where you can sit all day, and you don't exercise, than you are probably already on the primrose path to high blood pressure. Not to mention the extra fat around the midriff that increases the odds.
Sodium isn't bad in and of itself. But here in the Sunshine State, I see people pouring the stuff on every plate they consume. Tasting the food in the first place isn't even an issue, they just always add more. Too much salt can lead to water retention, then high blood pressure, or make it worse.
I see bunches of bananas whenever I go to the grocery store. And I try to eat one every day for the potassium. But apparently I'm one of the few because Americans aren't getting enough potassium in their diets, a problem which can lead to high levels of sodium.
And let's not forget huffing and excessive alcohol, which are just about the worst habits for your health.
Before we go any further, I should say I'm no teetotaler. Even though I drink very rarely, I'm not going to chastise you for doing the same, or even having a special occasion cigar, even though I don't partake in that.
But I'll tell you this: smoking and constant drinking, in the long run, will hurt you - if you get to have a long run. And if you have high blood pressure, doing either is suicidal.
To lower your blood pressure, start with simple lifestyle changes like exercising one day at a time and eating better one day at a time. Then it can become two days at a time. Remember you can't change years of habits overnight and you shouldn't try.
These lifestyle changes are important, too. Don't be like a good friend of mine who always used to say, "Hey...who the...put a vegetable on my plate?" His heart attack hit him like a bulldozer, and he's still recovering over a year later.
When I visited him in the hospital he said, "I guess it's all carrots and celery from now on, huh?" It doesn't have to be that way. Start making small changes, and pretty soon, before you even know it, you'll be lighter, and happier. - 17269
A couple hours ago I was reminded of the third of Americans who have hypertension, or high blood pressure. The sad truth is, many don't even realize they have it until it's too late. High blood pressure is frequently called The Silent Killer because it often strikes without warning, causing heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
Now, what causes high blood pressure?
A number of answers are sodium intake, heavy use of alcohol, saturated fat, body type, sedentary lifestyle, and huffing - which is what I call smoking. Then there's "essential hypertension" which means it's there even if we can't find a specific reason for it.
If you weigh more than you should, and if so you're definitely not alone, and if you have an office job where you can sit all day, and you don't exercise, than you are probably already on the primrose path to high blood pressure. Not to mention the extra fat around the midriff that increases the odds.
Sodium isn't bad in and of itself. But here in the Sunshine State, I see people pouring the stuff on every plate they consume. Tasting the food in the first place isn't even an issue, they just always add more. Too much salt can lead to water retention, then high blood pressure, or make it worse.
I see bunches of bananas whenever I go to the grocery store. And I try to eat one every day for the potassium. But apparently I'm one of the few because Americans aren't getting enough potassium in their diets, a problem which can lead to high levels of sodium.
And let's not forget huffing and excessive alcohol, which are just about the worst habits for your health.
Before we go any further, I should say I'm no teetotaler. Even though I drink very rarely, I'm not going to chastise you for doing the same, or even having a special occasion cigar, even though I don't partake in that.
But I'll tell you this: smoking and constant drinking, in the long run, will hurt you - if you get to have a long run. And if you have high blood pressure, doing either is suicidal.
To lower your blood pressure, start with simple lifestyle changes like exercising one day at a time and eating better one day at a time. Then it can become two days at a time. Remember you can't change years of habits overnight and you shouldn't try.
These lifestyle changes are important, too. Don't be like a good friend of mine who always used to say, "Hey...who the...put a vegetable on my plate?" His heart attack hit him like a bulldozer, and he's still recovering over a year later.
When I visited him in the hospital he said, "I guess it's all carrots and celery from now on, huh?" It doesn't have to be that way. Start making small changes, and pretty soon, before you even know it, you'll be lighter, and happier. - 17269
About the Author:
Dr. Bill is an orthopaedic surgeon and anti-aging author. For heart health, he takes this brand of pharmaceutical grade fish oil.
posted by X - Men at
9:53 AM
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