1. You May Not Know You Have Hypertension
Hypertension is responsible for the hardening of the arteries and heart failure. It can cause strokes and kidney failure too. What's even scarier is that you may not know you have this condition. Nearly 1/3 of those who have it don't know that their lives are in danger. Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, forces the heart to pump harder so blood can move throughout the body. In severe cases, symptoms include fatigue and confusion, severe headaches, chest pain, difficulty breathing, vision problems, blood in urine and irregular heartbeat. It's important get your blood pressure checked by a doctor at least once a year to make sure you don't have hypertension.
2. Consider the Risk Factors
If there's a history of high blood pressure in your family, then your risks of getting hypertension are much higher. Smokers, obese people and those who drink more than one or two glasses of alcohol a day are also more likely to get hypertension. Other people with an increased risk of getting this condition are pregnant women, women on birth control pills, people with unhealthy diets high in sodium and fat, and inactive people. African Americans tend to get hypertension more often than other ethnic groups.
3. Butt Out, Chill Out and Get Out
Hypertension treatment for a smoker is simple: Kick the habit. Managing your stress is another way to treat hypertension. So, instead of being a worrywart, relax. Also, be sure to get out and exercise. You should exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day at least three times a week to help manage your blood pressure.
4. Say Good-Bye to Salt
Most people eat more salt than necessary. Read the labels of prepared food, as you may be surprised at the level of sodium in them. When eating out, don't be afraid to ask about the salt levels in food or make a request for a dish with no salt. When cooking, only add salt at the end if you must add it at all. Cooking mutes the flavor of salt, making it easier to add too much.
5. Try the DASH Diet for Hypertension Treatment
The DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, has been shown to reduce a patient's blood pressure in 2 weeks. It involves eating 7 to 8 servings of grain a day, 4 to 5 daily fruit and vegetable servings and 2 to 3 servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Meat and fish are reduced to about 2 servings a day. Total daily salt intake is reduced to 2/3 teaspoon.
