Ways to lower blood pressure include exercise, eating healthy, losing weight, and taking medication as prescribed. High blood pressure (hbp) often goes undetected because many people do not experience any symptoms. Reasons to check for hbp include being overweight, family history of hypertension, and being over the age of 50. After being diagnosed a person needs to become informed on how to lower blood pressure. A person should have a physical examination to determine possible causes for hbp. There may be an underlying health problem that needs treatment. Hypertension that goes untreated can result in heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, dementia, and blindness.
One possible cause for hypertension can be traced to arteries in the lungs. This type of hbp is called pulmonary hypertension and can have serious effects on the heart. Tiny arteries in the lungs become narrow or blocked therefore restricting the blood flow in the lungs so pressure increases to move the blood through the body. When this happens the heart has to work harder so the heart weakens and can eventually fail. Ways to lower blood pressure when pulmonary hypertension is the cause is to take prescription medication that helps to dilate the arteries. There are many different types of medications that can affect the condition positively. Other treatments for this condition may include taking medication intravenously, oxygen therapy, and as a last resort, lung and heart transplantation.
Exercise is a very reliable way to make the heart stronger thus having a positive effect on hypertension. Daily exercise can eventually help the heart to become stronger so that a person may no longer need medication. Most doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise a day for optimal results. How to lower blood pressure is to remain consistent with exercise. Illness or fatigue can cause a person to stop exercising so that medication may be needed again so instead of getting discouraged after being sick just get back on the bandwagon and start exercising again. Make some subtle changes to promote more activity. Some of the ways to do this is to walk instead of drive to destinations close by, park farther away from the door when shopping, and use the stairs instead of the elevator. People who have serious health problems should consult with their physician before starting an exercise program. While exercising a person should be on the alert for symptoms that may indicate a heart attack such as difficulty in breathing, chest pains, nausea, and cold sweats.
Eating healthy can help to lower hypertension as long as the person making the changes has a plan to make it successful. Some important things to remember on how to lower blood pressure through diet is to limit salt, alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, and foods high in saturated fat. Dietetic changes should be made gradually and require some time to adjust to new foods. Try listing out the foods that are normally consumed and rank them as good foods or bad foods. Leave the good foods on the list but find substitutes for the bad foods that are healthier. Limit heavy sauces and gravies, foods high in sugar, and foods will little nutritive value. Increase foods high in fiber, fresh fruits and veggies, and drink lots of water.
Hypertension can be a result of prolonged stress. Stress can affect the body and mind in a negative way and eventually can cause a host of medical problems. One of the ways to lower blood pressure includes eliminating stress by learning coping techniques. Begin by identifying the things in life that are causing stress, anxiety, and worry. Make a plan to eliminate stress by learning how to cope in a more positive way. Some ideas that might help include getting a massage, learning relaxation techniques, praying, reading God’s Word, and counseling. Making time each day for cultivating a relationship with God can make a positive difference when dealing with stress. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)
Monitoring hbp can provide some valuable information about treatment. Oftentimes when a person is first diagnosed with hypertension the physician may have to try several different types of medication before finding the right one. The best way to help a doctor to find the right medication is by keeping a log of daily blood pressure readings. A consistent reading of 140/90 or higher indicates hypertension and the possibility of changing medication. An important way to figure out how to lower blood pressure is by being consistent with monitoring hypertension so the best treatment can be found.
Medications that are used for hypertension vary in the way that they work in the body. Some of the common types used for hbp are ace inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, alpha-blockers, and diuretics. Ways to lower blood pressure is by taking medication exactly as prescribed and reporting any significant changes to a doctor. Ace inhibitors block the production of a hormone in the body that causes blood vessels to narrow. Calcium channel blockers work to relax arteries and diuretics remove excess water retention helping to lower bp. Beta-blockers decrease the heart rate so the blood flow decreases thus reducing pressure and alpha-blockers work to block nerve impulses and relax blood vessels. Medications may cause side effects in some people. Some of the common side effects related to bp meds are headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, stomach problems, anxiety, chest pain, cough, and skin breakouts. Side effects should be reported to a doctor especially if they are causing significant problems. A doctor can change bp medicine until one if found that has less bothersome side effects.