Controlling High Blood Pressure

Millions of Americans have high blood pressure or hypertension. Many of those with hypertension don't know they have it and many of those that do know do not have it under control. Hypertension is often referred to as the salient killer because there are often no symptoms until serious health consequences develop, such as heart failure or stroke.

What should you do? Have regular checkups with a health professional and you blood pressure will be checked regularly. Know the risk factors and if you have any change your life style accordingly. Life-style changes will involve eating a healthy diet, exercising on a regular basis, maintaining a healthy weight and relaxation. Unfortunately life-style changes are not always enough and medication may be needed as well.

There are several effective ways to not only control your blood pressure, but to prevent developing the condition in the first place.. Adopting a healthy life- style will help minimize or eliminate the risks that lead to high blood pressure.

A healthy eating plan will emphasize fruits, vegetables, low- fat dairy foods and foods low in saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol.

Reducing Sodium in Your Diet is essential to controlling blood pressure. Sodium is a major cause high blood pressure. Prepare your food fresh, canned or pre-packaged food will have added sodium.

Maintaining a healthy weight is absolutely necessary to maintain normal blood pressure. Being overweight maybe the number one preventable risk factor for high blood pressure. This is also true for type 2 diabetes

Exercise is another key to maintaining normal blood pressure. You should exercise vigorously at least 30 minutes per day.

Interestingly all of these life-style recommendations are also necessary to prevent and/or control diabetes and high cholesterol which are all related to cardio vascular health. By adopting these life-style recommendations you protect yourself from a whole host of serious health problems.

Life-style changes alone may not be enough to control high hypertension. Fortunately medical science has developed numerous drugs that help to lower blood pressure. If you need medication you will work with your doctor to find the right combination of life-style and medication control blood pressure.

Life-style changes are always part of the treatment plan because a healthy helps the medication work effectively and because of all the other related health conditions that need to be prevented. Work with your doctor and you will stay healthy for long time even with high blood pressure.