Hypertension is a potentially serious condition.? Most people are aware that untreated high blood pressure can cause a strain on your heart and cardiovascular system.? But neglected hypertension can cause a stroke, kidney failure as well as a fatal heart attack.? Follow these six steps to try to reduce your risk profile.
1.? Live your life to the fullest
Being diagnosed with any health issue isn’t a cause for celebration but nor does it have to mean you stop enjoying life. Some patients find that you feel more appreciation for the little things in life.? You are in control of your life – yes of course there will be events over which you have little or no control. But you do have full control over your responses to these events.
Let little hassles pass you by.? Make it your business to find something to be glad about every day.?? You can find something that is wonderful – a child’s laugh a beautiful sky, a walk in the forest etc.
2.? Enjoy your food
Look forward to your meal times and learn to relax while you are eating.? How many indispensible people are lying in the graveyard yet their old companies are thriving. Unless you are a heart surgeon in the middle of a life or death operation, there is no reason for you to hurry through your sandwich. Your job can wait – you only get one life.
3.? Take moderate exercise
Have fun with exercise. Warm up before starting any exercise and try and do something that you enjoy.? Concentrate whilst exercising -you cannot watch Lost on TV whilst getting the maximum benefit from your exercise program. Do not start an exercise regime without input from your doctor.? This is very important as the last thing you want to do is increase your blood pressure further!
4.? Don’t lose too much weight too quickly
Your doctor will have advised you on what is your ideal weight based on your age, height and build.? But you shouldn’t aim to reach this weight level too quickly.? Follow a healthy eating and exercise plan and your weight will begin to fall.?? Never use diet pills unless prescribed by your doctor.? Most diet pills contain caffeine, which will cause your heart to race.
Depending on your personal situation, you may have a lot of weight to lose. But follow your doctor’s advice on this one not the latest fad advertised on the internet or TV.
5.? Say no to smoking
If you still needed an excuse to quit – you now have it. But giving up smoking isn’t easy. It takes willpower, determination, support and courage.? Very few people are able to stop smoking immediately.? Some people find that going cold turkey works for them i.e. they decide that they will never smoke again and just stop.? Others find that they need to reduce the amount of cigarettes over a period of time.
You know yourself better than anyone else and you know which method will be most successful for you. Just don’t lie to yourself – you have absolutely nothing to gain from continuing to smoke.? But think of what you gain when you give up – more money in your pocket to spend on treats, feeling better and healthier, a sense of achievement, a chance to see your grandchildren grow up.
6.? Listen to your doctors
Doctors are not infallible – they do make mistakes and it is good to question them.? I am not advocating following medical advice like a sheep follows a shepherd.? Educate yourself and find out more about your illness. But respect the fact that your doctor has trained for a long time and hopefully has a lot of experience in this field.
Do not stop taking any prescribed medication without seeking medical approval.? You are an adult and if you wish to try and control your condition without drugs then by all means do that but only with the consent and supervision of your doctor.
So there you have it – take personal responsibility for your health and take an active role in doing everything you can to help control hypertension in your life – give it a try!
Hypertension can be fatal BUT with common sense and the latest medical knowledge and advances you can beat this illness.
