Things You Need to Know About Blood Pressure | Part 3 | Lifestyle Modifiers in Relation to Hypertension
May 21, 2019 | Abigail Mckay

Things You Need to Know About Blood Pressure | Part 3 | Lifestyle Modifiers in Relation to Hypertension

 

In the previous article, Basics of Hypertension, a general overview was given regarding hypertension, as well as the connection between kidneys and blood pressure. Today, I want to turn your attention to lifestyle modifiers to optimize your health that should be applied after receiving a diagnosis of hypertension.

 

1.   Reduce Salt (Sodium) Intake

•   Salt pulls water into the bloodstream and places a strain on the kidneys to filter out the excess salt and water.

•   With the kidneys straining to excrete the excess sodium and water, the water increases the blood volume, which means the body has more volume to pump.

•   The more work the heart has to put forth to adequately pump blood throughout the body, the higher the blood pressure will be.

 

2.   Exercise

•   Time and time again medical professionals stress the importance of exercise.

•   Exercise keeps the heart strong, leading to less work for the heart.

•   When the heart is “in shape” it can pump stronger while putting forth less effort, which should be the ultimate goal when trying to attain optimal cardiac function.

 

3.   Eat Fruits and Vegetables

•   Building on the previous suggestion, an exercise in combination with healthy eating habits contribute to weight loss, which decreases the workload of the heart.

•   Across the board, it is beneficial for everyone to eat more fruits and vegetables as they help to meet your nutritional needs and supply your body with the appropriate vitamins and minerals to operate effectively.

 

4.   Lose Weight

•   By weight loss alone, some people can eliminate or significantly reduce the use of blood pressure medications.

•   Obesity is known to increase the workload of the heart because with the excess weight it must work harder to get the appropriate amount of oxygenated blood throughout the body.

•   Essentially, the less weight a person carries, the less strain there will be on the heart.

 

5.   Take your Medications as Prescribed

•   While the above recommendations will substantially reduce your risk of hypertension or help control your current diagnosis of hypertension, it is vitally important to continue to take your prescriptions as prescribed.

•   Patient compliance is of utmost importance because the prescribed medications will control your blood pressure, in turn, keeping you out of the hospital and at lower risk for the many other chronic medical conditions that are associated with hypertension.

•   Whether you have to set an alarm on your phone or write a daily reminder in your calendar, remember to take your medication.

 

These lifestyle tips should encourage you to take control of your health regarding hypertension.  Utilize these five modifiers appropriately and watch what your body will do in return. The human body is capable of incredible things, and it is our job to equip it to operate at peak performance.

 

For more information on blood pressure management, speak with a specialist today at Shifa4U by calling us on 042-111-748-748
Get tested for blood pressure from top labs of Pakistan at the comfort of your home or book an appointment with best American hypertension specialist/blood pressure doctor in Pakistan.

Recommended Packages

Abigail Mckay

Abigail has been a nurse for five years, and throughout her time as a nurse, she has worked in multiple medical-surgical units as well as spent time in the infusion therapy clinic and endoscopy lab. She is passionate about preventative medicine through patient education regarding nutrition and exercise. Due to her passion, Abigail has gone on to earn two certifications including a certification in medical-surgical nursing (CMSRN) and a certification in holistic nursing (HNB-BC), in hopes of being able to better serve her patients. Abigail earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA and now bettering patient education in the healthcare system through partnering with American TelePhysicians.