If your systolic blood pressure is high, you need to take steps to lower it. The National Institutes of Health states that "Prevention and treatment of this silent killer are essential because left untreated high blood pressure can damage the kidneys with progression to end-stage kidney disease and also can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, dementia and blindness." There are both lifestyle and medical treatments to help you bring your blood pressure down to a healthier level.
Identification
Your blood pressure is recorded as a fraction such as 120/80 mmHg. The top number (120) is the systolic which represents when your heartbeats. The bottom number is the diastolic and represents when the heart is at rest. It is important to take steps to keep your systolic pressure from getting too high especially as you age because the National Institute on Aging states that high systolic blood pressure is more common in the elderly.
Dietary Changes
According to the National Institutes of Health, an important part of your treatment program to lower your systolic pressure is eating healthy. This means eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, limiting your intake of cholesterol and fats (especially saturated fats) and reducing the amount of sodium in your diet. Getting an adequate amount of potassium, limiting your alcohol intake and stopping cigarette smoking are also necessary.
Exercise
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute states that "Treatment options for ISH (isolated systolic hypertension) are the same as for other types of high blood pressure, in which both systolic and diastolic pressures are high. ISH is treated with lifestyle changes and/or medications." The institute also state that to help lower your pressure you need to aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. It also recommends using stairs instead of the elevator, parking your car further back in the parking lot or getting off the bus or train early and walking to work.
Lose Weight
Since being overweight increases your risk for developing high blood pressure, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. Losing just 10 pounds can help to lower your pressure. According to the American Heart Association "Losing weight will reduce the strain on your heart, and often weight loss will cause your blood pressure to drop. "
Mange Your Stress
Stress can raise your blood pressure. It makes your heart work harder. Too much stress can lead to unhealthy choices such as smoking, drinking and overeating. In addition the American Heart Association states that "Relaxing for short periods during your workday, at night and on weekends also may help lower your blood pressure."
Medication
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, there are various medications your doctor may prescribe to help lower your systolic pressure. This includes beat blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors. All of these can be used to help lower your systolic blood pressure and lower your risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke.
