Let’s suppose you have high blood pressure and you have to take medications to treat it … what can you do? Or you’re not on medication, but should be.
Hypertension, the scientific name for constant high blood pressure, is considered a silent killer because most people with hypertension are what is called asymptomatic, meaning without symptoms. Yes, a very large percentage of people with high blood pressure could be considered ticking time bombs. They can blow at any time. They get on with their daily lives not knowing that tragedy could be lurking just around the corner.
The other side of the coin is that many people taking blood pressure pills DO get symptoms: undesired side effects from their medications. This is the reason why so many people seem to ‘forget’ to take their medicine as prescribed.
If you don’t want to take your pills, then I suggest you start getting your life back and taking control of it right now. You can do it, and the decision is yours. If you are successful you may be able to stop taking your blood pressure medication(s). If this isn’t possible after your efforts, please don’t despair as you will almost certainly be able to reduce the dosage, with subsequent savings of your heard earned dollars.
Most important of all is that you will feel a lot better. You’ll have more energy and zest, why you’ll even look better, too. You will have got rid of those excess pounds around your waist or hips, your skin will look better and your eyes will be sharper. A new you, or perhaps the you that you were some years back, maybe too many to remember.
We all dedicate time to our work, and other things, but how many of us truthfully dedicate time to ourselves?
Are You Overweight?
Being overweight is a risk factor for developing heart disease. Just like hypertension is. The good thing is weight loss has also been found to reduce blood pressure in people who have high blood pressure. These results are more dramatic in those who are obese, and a reduction of blood pressure can occur with weight loss of as little as 10 pounds (4.5 Kg). However, don’t go for one of those fancy new fad diets where they claim you can loose 10 pounds in a week. You might even be able to, but you’ll almost certainly get it all back within a matter of weeks! There are no easy shortcuts. Sensible weight control can only be achieved with consistent healthy eating habits AND regular exercise. Most of the people I deal with drop 1 to 2 pounds a week without any real effort.
Maintaining these two simple lifestyle changes (exercise and overweight) will offer you the greatest chance of success with getting your blood pressure down. Did you know that a regular exercise routine can:
– Help get your cholesterol levels in good order,
– Make you look better to yourself and others,
– Lower your blood pressure,
– Reduce your risk factor profile for heart disease and stroke,
– Reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer,
– Help you conquer type 2 diabetes,
Wow! Those are just some of the benefits that an intelligent, regular exercise routine can do for you. It is important to understand that the effect of exercise occurs whether or not there is weight loss. Of course, weight loss has its own beneficial effect on blood pressure, and the two compliment each other.
So what do we have here that can help you reduce your blood pressure and reduce the amount of medication you have to take. Or, if you’re lucky, allow you to totally discontinue your medication: This will however be for your doctor to decide.
Initially, you should really make every effort to reach your ideal weight and keep to a healthy diet that you like. Remember this is a life long effort on your behalf. Start an exercise routine that may only be brisk walks for at least 30 minutes 3-5 times a week, but do it. The more the better, also diversify this can be fun. Once again, this is for life. You don’t just want to become fit and healthy now, but you want to stay that way forever.
What else do we have? Oh yes, reduce the salt and increase potassium in your diet and good luck!
If you follow these simple steps, within 3 months from today you’ll look and feel much better than you do now AND your blood pressure will certainly be improved. You really can control your health. It’s up to you. So go for it!
