Five Habits to Reduce Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, if left untreated, can do a lot of organ damage. It reduces kidney function and increases the chances of a heart attack or stroke. While medication may be needed to keep the numbers down, a few habits can also be useful.
1) Read Labels: Before purchasing prepackaged foods, read both the nutrition label and the ingredients label. High levels of sodium can make hypertension worse. If you've already been diagnosed, you should consume no more than 1200 mgs a day.
2) Exercise: This isn't just a weight issue. Exercise can make you stronger and it can reduce stress levels. If you're overweight, losing the extra pounds will also help.
3) Drink Water: Our bodies are made mostly of water. Maintaining proper hydration is important for many reasons, including keeping blood pressure numbers in order.
4) Hold the Salt: Some salt is required, but most of us consume far more than we should. Healthy adults should keep sodium levels under 2400 mg per day. Those with high blood pressure should only consume half of that amount.
5) No Black Licorice: A lot of people would avoid black licorice in any event. It's not always popular. However, natural licorice root has a bad habit of driving blood pressure numbers up. Check for it in naturally sweetened teas, over the counter cough remedies and (naturally) in candy itself. Thankfully, most candy manufacturers know of the problems licorice can cause. They use anise instead.
Keeping blood pressure numbers in check isn't easy, but it is important. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about how to stay healthy.
My new book, Eldercare: An in the Trenches Look at Caregiving has just been published on my site. This book is based on experiences I've had, including working in a nursing home for two years. It is also based on taking care of an elderly relative. Many of the things in this book could save you time and avoid frustration. http://healing-home-remedies.com/elder-care/elder-care-ebook/
0 comments:
Post a Comment