1. Lose the Vices
One of the most important steps in preventing hypertensive heart disease, or any heart related ailment for that matter, is to stop giving in to your vices. Smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use dramatically increase your chances of developing hypertensive heart disease, not to mention a host of other potentially life threatening ailments such as cancer, cirrhosis or even death by overdose. Smoking alone accounts for 30 percent of all heart disease related deaths in the United States Smoking is also linked to an incredible array of side effects: reduced oxygen in the blood, increased heart rate and blood pressure and much more. You and your doctor can talk about additional treatment options that can help you conquer your habits and, in the process, take steps toward prevent hypertensive heart disease.
2. Reduce Your Salt Intake
Sodium can sometimes play a key role in the development of hypertensive heart disease and high blood pressure. You can reduce your sodium intake in a number of ways. First, you should read the labels of all of the foods you buy. Vegetables and fruits are naturally low in sodium, so they're safe to buy. Processed foods, however, like canned vegetables or soups, often have incredibly high sodium contents both as preservatives and as flavor enhancers. Buy products low in sodium or those that feature reduced sodium versions. You can also typically counter your sodium intake by increasing your intake of potassium, which is known to reduce blood pressure. Bananas, for example, have very high levels of potassium, and are sometimes used in the short term to help reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
3. Get Some Exercise
Exercise offers almost limitless benefits. Not only can you reduce your weight with exercise, but you can also reduce your blood pressure, reduce the symptoms of heart disease, relieve stress and strengthen your heart to reduce the risk of heart failure or heart attack in the future. When working to prevent hypertensive heart disease it's a good idea to speak to your doctor about possible exercise regimens that are tailored to your specific health profile. People who are overweight or have led sedentary lifestyles, for example, should start out slower to prevent injury.
In addition to helping keep your body healthy, exercise also reduces stress, one of the more common components of hypertensive heart disease. Stress raises blood pressure and puts tremendous strain on your cardiovascular system. Consider aerobic exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes, three to four times per week. As you develop greater endurance you'll want to increase your exercise levels to continue to lose weight and reduce the dangers of hypertensive heart disease.
