Normal adult blood pressure has a systolic reading of between 90 and 119 mmHg and a diastolic measure of between 60 and 79. The older you get, the higher your blood pressure reading is likely to be. According to statistics at least one quarter of Americans have high blood pressure or hypertension.
The problem with hypertension is that it is often asymptomatic so many people don't even realize they have it. Hypertension is often called the silent killer because of the lack of symptoms and the fact that severe cases can lead to major health problems such as heart failure, renal damage, partial loss of sight, blindness, heart attack, stroke, mini stroke, aneurysm and death. The good news is that if you have hypertension there is a great deal that you can do in order to help yourself get down to a consistent normal blood pressure reading.
Exercise And Weight Management
Obesity contributes to prehypertension and hypertension, so if you are overweight you need to lose the excess pounds if you wish to get down to a normal blood pressure reading. You can do this by restricting your calorie intake and cutting most of the sugar and saturated fat from your diet. This can lower your risk of hypertension related health conditions significantly, so do yourself a favor and throw your ice cream and candy bars into the trash can.
Exercise can also help anybody who would like to see a normal blood pressure reading. Exercise makes the heart and cardiovascular system stronger as well as contributing to weight loss and lowering the blood pressure. Over time regular exercise can cut the risk of developing ailments associated with hypertension in half.
Quit Your Bad Habits
Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol can all contribute to the problem of hypertension. Therefore if you are serious about acquiring a consistent normal blood pressure reading it is in your best interest to eliminate or at least cut back on vices such as coffee, beer, whiskey, cigarettes, wine, cigars and chewing tobacco.
Get The Right Essential Nutrients
Just as certain lifestyle choices can exacerbate hypertension, some foods, minerals, herbs and vitamins can help you to get a healthy normal blood pressure reading. Increase your water intake and fill up on foods such as bananas, bean sprouts, garlic, olive oil, flaxseed oil, avocados, broccoli, oats and apples. Make sure you get enough minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium and vitamins C, D, E. Herbal supplements such as kelp, alphalpha, hawthorn berry and black cohosh are also purported to lower the blood pressure.
Medications
If you have made all the necessary lifestyle amendments and you still cannot get a normal blood pressure reading or if you have severe hypertension it may be time to ask your health care provider about prescription medication. There are numerous medications that can help with hypertension including diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and more. These medications can have side effects or interact with other medications you are taking so talk to your doctor to find out which is best for you.
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