Whenever you find yourself being diagnosed with having high blood pressure, it is going to be important that you work to employ a number of lifestyle changes. A diagnosis of high blood pressure comes about when the top number, systolic pressure, is at 140 or higher, along with the bottom number, diastolic pressure, is 90 or higher. If you are like a lot of people, the idea of trying to take medications to get your blood pressure to go down can be intimidating at best. Luckily, there are a number of solutions that you can try that will hopefully help you to get your blood pressure back under control.
You will find that your lifestyle will play a major role in the way that your blood pressure presents itself. If you are able to maintain a healthier lifestyle, you may be able to keep your blood pressure down. There are some individuals that are able to adjust their lifestyle enough, through diet and exercise, to get their blood pressure to a level that is low enough where they will not have to take daily medication.
The weight of the human body has a direct impact on blood pressure. The higher the weight increases, the higher the blood pressure will be. In most cases, simply losing 10-15 pounds can help to bring your blood pressure down. Most medical professionals, physical trainers and other specialists will tell you that the more weight you are able to lose, the lower your blood pressure will be. If there is still a need for medication, you will also see that losing weight will help to make the medications that you are on more effective.
Another good tip that you can keep in mind as you are looking to lower your blood pressure is that regular physical activity is very important. Getting up and getting moving for approximately 30 to 60 minutes several days of the week will lower your blood pressure a great deal. Many people will often report seeing a difference in their blood pressure within just a few weeks of implementing a quality exercise plan. This can include walking, jogging, swimming, aerobics and more.
As you work to lower your blood pressure, you will also want to take the foods that you are eating into consideration. A diet that is going to be high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low fat dairy will be a great way to bring down your blood pressure as well as your cholesterol. When trying to change up your diet and working to monitor what you are consuming, simply put together a food journal so that you can map out what you are eating, when, how much and what food cravings you may be giving into.
The bottom line is that when it comes to blood pressure and your health, there are several things that you can do to get the results that you are looking for. Once you have the “wake up call” that your blood pressure is high, it is going to be imperative that you work to get it lowered again.