Physical Health — Page 146

February 17, 2010 by admin

What Can Raise Your Blood Pressure?

Are you concerned about what might increase your blood pressure? There are quite a few things that can factor in to raising your blood pressure. Luckily you can fix many of these with a few lifestyle changes.

If you do not watch your blood pressure frequently, you might not even be aware that you have it. It can creep up on you or just increase over the years. It all depends on many different factors.

If you are overweight you are at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. You might already know this and you might not. If this is the case for you, consult your doctor and see what he might recommend for you. Losing at least ten pounds can significantly lower your blood pressure.

An unhealthy diet or lack of physical activity or exercise can also put you at risk for high blood pressure. Try to exercise at least thirty minutes a day even if you have to space the time out. Eating less salt and more vegetables and fruits can help lower your blood pressure as well. Try to incorporate this into your present diet and you will see the results rather quickly.

Stress plays a huge factor in high blood pressure and unfortunately everyone is stressed at some point in their lives. If you deal with a high amount of stress, consider relaxation techniques. Do whatever you can that you know will calm you down and help relieve stress.

Using tobacco and alcohol raise your blood pressure. If you use either of these consider quitting. If you are unable to quit right away, limit your consumption of alcohol and use of tobacco. There are many over the counter and prescription products to help rid your self of these habits. Talk with your doctor of any concerns you might have.

Medical conditions also factor into high blood pressure along with your lifestyle. Kidney disease can result in high blood pressure as well as cause it. Sleeping disorders that interrupt your breathing during sleep will also raise your blood pressure. Talking with your doctor about your condition could benefit your disorder along with your blood pressure.

Certain medications and drugs can also raise your blood pressure. Certain types of anti-depressants will do this as well as certain cold medicines. Be aware of oral contraceptives, nasal decongestants, anorexia drugs and steroids. These can possibly raise your blood pressure as well so talk with your doctor before taking any of them if you are concerned.

While you can control most of the factors that raise your blood pressure there are some you cannot. For instance your race; African Americans are more prone to high blood pressure, people over fifty-five are at a higher risk, and your family history can play a role in your blood pressure as well. While you cannot control these factors you can easily try to help decrease your risk. Watch your diet, exercise, lifestyle habits, etc. Over time this may be very beneficial to you.

High blood pressure can cause strokes and even heart and kidney diseases. Leading a healthier life style can help you live longer and enjoy your time in a healthy state. Talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have concerning your blood pressure. It is never too late to take control.

The Best High Blood Pressure Fruits And Vegetables Diet

February 16, 2010 by admin

If you are looking for a natural way of helping to control high blood pressure then a great place to start is by modifying your diet. A diet designed to reduce blood pressure should include plenty of fresh, fruits and vegetables as they contain essential minerals, nutrients and fiber, which can all help in a treatment plan to reduce high blood pressure. So what kinds of high blood pressure fruits and vegetables should a person be choosing to eat?

Generally a person should be eating fruits and vegetables which contain high amounts of fiber in them. This will help suppress the appetite and help the digestive process.

Fruits and vegetables to include in a diet to reduce high blood pressure include the following:

Asparagus
Carrots
Broccoli
Peas
Corn
Strawberries
Oranges
Apples
Pears
Bananas
Lentils
Chickpeas

But, most vegetables and fruits can be added into the diet, and they should replace the foods that need to be restricted from a high blood pressure diet, including processed foods, foods that contain high levels of sodium and food that are high in saturated fats.

The great thing about substituting these particular foods for those that are high in fat is not only do they make you feel fuller quicker, but they also provide you with good sources of nutrients and minerals, which are vital to keep your body healthy and boost the immune system.

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Also by eating more fruit and vegetables there is normally a natural reduction in the volume of calories consumed, and in many cases just by cutting back on the number of calories, thereby reducing weight, there is knock on reduction in the high blood pressure.

As well as increasing the amount of fiber you have in your diet you should also increase the amount of potassium as well. Fruit that is rich in potassium are bananas.

Why not place a few in a liquidizer with some freshly squeezed orange juice and some raspberries and you will have a really great tasting drink that is also helping to lower blood pressure, as it contains high amounts of fiber, potassium and all other beneficial nutrients.

To ensure that there is a sufficient mix of nutrients and variety in the diet, try and include three different colored vegetables on the plate for every meal. So for example you could have some grated carrot along with some lettuce and a couple of cherry tomato.

Also, if you do need to cook your vegetables or fruit it is best if they are steamed. This way they will not lose so many of their essential properties, which are vital to maintaining a healthy body.

A number of studies have been carried out show changing your diet can have the same beneficial impact on high blood pressure as taking medication. This does not mean that the medication prescribed by the doctor should not be taken – Of course it should. But it means that if a good diet is followed then the blood pressure can be regulated much faster, and the effects can last for longer.

A high blood pressure, fruits and vegetables diet, with the inclusion of lean low fat meats, can mean that not only is the blood pressure reduced, but also those that are overweight usually find they lose weight as well. Discuss any changes in diet before you make them with your doctor.

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