High Blood Pressure: What it Means to You
According to WebMD, high blood pressure (or hypertension) affects 1 in 4 American adults, making it one of the most prevalent conditions in the country. Despite its prevalence, many people don’t fully understand the risks of living with high blood pressure or what to do about it.
The first thing to understand about high blood pressure is that it’s a serious condition. While it is possible to live with high blood pressure for many years without any negative effects, untreated hypertension can have very significant consequences. High blood pressure, if left unaddressed, can lead to heart and kidney disease, stroke, and artherosclerosis, all of which can be debilitating or fatal.
Now that you understand the seriousness of the situation, you may be asking yourself, “What can I do?” The first step in being proactive is to have your blood pressure checked by a health professional. This should be done once a year, and is usually included in all visits to a doctor’s office. By having it checked frequently, you will be able to see trends as they develop and before it may be too late.
One of the greatest risk factors (as well as one of the best tools to prevent or improve high blood pressure) for hypertension is the diet. The high-fat, high-sodium diets common in America contribute greatly to the high prevalence of hypertension. By reducing your salt intake and increasing the number of fresh fruits and vegetables that you consume, you’ll take an important step in the fight against high blood pressure. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, the DASH diet may be prescribed—this diet focuses on reducing one’s intake of salt, cholesterol, saturated fat, and red meat, replacing them with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Exercise is also paramount in reducing the likelihood of hypertension-related problems. By exercising 30-60 minutes a day, you can greatly decrease your risk of having high blood pressure and suffering negative consequences. Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to be effective—even brisk walking can be very beneficial. Increasing your weekly amount of exercise will also encourage weight loss, another important facet of high blood pressure prevention.
High blood pressure is both common and serious, but by becoming informed and proactive, you’ll be a step ahead of the game. By having your blood pressure checked regularly, focusing on improving your diet, and increasing your daily exercise, you’ll be well on your way to reducing your blood pressure and living a healthier, happier life.
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