LIFESTYLE CHANGES FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Many doctors tend to treat hypertension with drugs. However the expert physicians carefully weigh treatment options, taking into consideration many factors, including the patient's age, race and presence of other disorders and come with a stepped approach. The objective is to reduce and maintain a blood pressure level below 140/90 and lower for people with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease.

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is an effective step in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure. These consist of:

• Reduce body weight by indulging yourself in mild physical activity like Yoga, Pilates, Tai chi, Walking, Swimming etc. Exercise improves the functioning of all the body systems. It helps the release of endorphins which keeps the mood fit. 

• Avoid alcohol - Try to avoid alcohol from your life. It adds to the calories and also causes acidity and other problems

• Adopting a healthy eating plan, which emphasizes on fruits, vegetables and low- fat dairy foods. There should be regular food timings and diet should be more on the raw diet. 

• Reduce sodium intake – adding extra salt to the food causes the retention of water in the body causing the increase in blood volume, leading to extra load on the heart. Packed foods, pickles and chutneys should be avoided.

• Quit smoking - smoking should be avoided as it causes atherosclerosis, which means hardening of the arteries, which directly increases the risk of heart problems.

• Reduce stress – try to manage your stress by various relaxation techniques, meditation techniques and breathing techniques.

Lifestyle changes can prevent and control high blood pressure. If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in keeping your pressure controlled, it may be necessary to add blood pressure medications.

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