181019 Lower your blood pressure
High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer because its effects are rarely felt until the disease has progressed to a dangerous level.
Here is a list of four things that you can do to potentially lower your blood pressure.
If you weigh too much, lose weight.
Look at yourself in the mirror. Can you see the fat hanging off your stomach and sides? Can you pinch more of an inch on your sides? If so, you need to lose weight. Can you see your toes? If not, you need to lose weight. Is your body mass index in the obese range? If so, lose weight.
With a 10% reduction in your weight, you will notice reductions in your blood pressure numbers.
Start becoming more physically active.
If your prime source of entertainment is watching TV, working on the computer, or socializing at the local tavern then it is time to get off your butt and get moving. Being physically active goes hand-in-hand with losing weight and they each complement one another.
Reduce eating foods that are high in salt and sodium.
Began with an inventory of the foods in your house. Look at the labels. Are they high in sodium? Do you have stacks of potato chips in the cupboards? Is there bacon and sausage in your refrigerator?
You can reduce the salt you eat by cooking your own food and not adding salt when you eat at the table. Canned vegetables, according to their labels, contain an overly high amount of sodium. You can eliminate much of this by rinsing the vegetables before you cook them. This removes much of the salty juices that contribute to the high salt content of the food.
Cut back on the alcohol you drink.
Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and generally, when you are drinking, you are with friends socializing and eating crap food. More than likely the food you eat during these times contains a lot of fat and salt.
If you already have high blood pressure and are taking medications, do not stop these medications until you talk with your doctor.
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