If you have hypertension, what factors are within your control? First, make sure that you’re not taking any drug that can increase your blood pressure.
The usual culprits, as I mentioned earlier, are phenylpropanolamine and cortisone which can elevate blood pressure when taken in excess or for a long period of time. Mixing these drugs with coffee can wreak havoc on your readings.
If this area is clear, the Department of Health in Manila recommends seven steps to a healthy heart. Let’s examine them one by one.
STOP SMOKING. While smoking raises blood pressure only temporarily, the real danger is that it accelerates the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries. These fatty deposits eventually reduce blood circulation and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
“If the blood vessel changes result in a decreased blood flow to the kidneys, the kidneys will respond by releasing renin, a hormone that causes an increase in blood pressure. This further exaggerates the high blood pressure and this contributes to further blood vessel damage,” said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the “Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.” Therefore, it’s better to quit smoking now before things get worse.
DRINK LESS ALCOHOL. Heavy drinkers (those who consume six to seven drinks a day) are more likely to have hypertension than teetotalers. If you want to drink, limit your daily alcohol intake. Take only 24 ounces of beer, eight ounces of wine, or two ounces of 100-proof liquor.
TAKE IT EASY. While stress and tension do not cause hypertension, they may aggravate the condition. Know your limits and learn to relax when the going gets tough. For me, that means watching TV, reading a good book, or listening to music. You may have your own ideas of beating stress. Stick to one that you enjoy doing most. That way, you’ll always look forward to it at the end of the day.
“Persons with hypertension are urged to avoid high-pressure situations and to learn to deal with stress. Biofeedback, self-hypnosis and meditation have proved useful for relieving stress and may help someone with hypertension,” said the editors of Consumer Guide’s “Family Health & Medical Guide.”
MAINTAIN A NORMAL WEIGHT. Half of hypertensive individuals are overweight. For these people, losing weight can dramatically bring their blood pressure down to normal levels. A 20-pound loss translates in a decline of 6.3 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) in systolic and 3.1 mm Hg in diastolic pressure.
“Shedding a few pounds – even without reaching ideal weight – is still worthwhile, since dropping blood pressure just a few points can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke and may also reduce the amount of antihypertensive medications needed,” according to Larry Katzenstein, senior editor of American Health magazine.
Dieting does not mean starving. You can still enjoy your favorite foods, but in lesser amounts than before. Consult a trained nutritionist or dietitian regarding this matter. Don’t fall for so-called “miracle” diets offered by some slimming salons and questionable clinics. You’re likely to lose money – not weight – in those places. (Next: More drugless ways to control hypertension.)
Since obesity is a factor in hypertension, it pays to lose weight. To help you shed those unwanted pounds, take Zyroxin, a safe and natural supplement that will maximize your weight loss through its unique fat-burning ingredients. For details, visit http://www.zyroxin.comSharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com
