Don't Let High Blood Pressure Control Your Life

High blood pressure can lead to a lot of complications and medical conditions that often get misdiagnosed, mistreated or even left untreated. Also called hypertension, high blood pressure can lead to strokes, heart attacks, bleed outs and even death. This is a leading cause of medical conditions that one in every three Americans face every day. There are plenty of options to lower blood pressure, and not all of them require you to see a doctor to achieve them.

Medication

Many people will often ask their doctor about how to lower blood pressure. If a doctor feels that you indeed have a problem, they will prescribe medication. Since there are several different options available, you can't expect one pill to magically solve your problem. There are side effects with every medication, so you will need the one that works the best for your body. Once you have been on the medication for a while, you will need to have a blood test. This should be done once every six months to a year to test your liver enzymes, to be sure they are not elevated and being damaged by the medication.

Diet

Changes in diet should be one of the first steps taken for lowering blood pressure. Sugary foods, caffeine, soda, energy drinks and junk food can all lead to hypertension. The key is moderation, so you don't have to completely cut all of these things from your life. Fresh fruits and vegetables are great to help with your diet as well as eating more fish and lean meats. Boneless and skinless chicken are great alternatives to fatty meats since they can be prepared many different ways.

Exercise

No matter how busy your schedule is, there is always time for exercising. Physical activity and diet go hand in hand when it comes to lowering your blood pressure. If you're too tired at the end of a long day for a quick workout, a simple walk can not only give you more energy, but it can also help you sleep better at night. Cardio workouts are the best way to lower blood pressure and should be a part of your weekly regimen. The treadmill, stair climber, or elliptical machine at the gym are great ways to get in shape and strengthen your heart. No gym membership? No problem. You can jog, roller-skate, rollerblade, walk, ride a bike or any exercise that can leave you winded and out of breath. The more often you do it, the better you will start to feel.

Stress

Stress can increase your blood pressure by causing your heart to beat faster and your blood vessels to narrow. Exercise or simple meditation techniques such as closing your eyes and counting can help relieve stress. The best way to deal with stressful situations are to prioritize your actions. When on the job or at school, only worry about the task that you can handle one step at a time. If you worry about everything all at once, it will drive you crazy and you will accomplish nothing. Making a list and taking each task one at a time will put things into perspective and keep your stress level, and blood pressure, down.

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