For many years it has been known that addiction to drugs, as well as heavy drinking causes disease and health problems. One of those problems is hypertension.
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, a condition which is also commonly referred to as high blood pressure, it is important for you to take the time now to learn about the basic actions which you can take to alleviate the symptoms. At least as important is for you to know what steps you can take to actively avoid increasing your blood pressure and thereby exacerbating the condition.
The most important thing to know at this point in time is that hypertension is not something which you can expect to treat and then be cured of. In all likelihood, you will now be managing your blood pressure for the rest of your life, and it is to a large degree in your own hands how well you are able to do this. The next major thing to know is that you cannot simply rely on your medications to handle your blood pressure. There is no magic pill which will treat the condition; you have to make meaningful changes to your lifestyle.
Fortunately, these changes will probably not only help you to reduce your blood pressure, but will also lead to higher overall levels of health and a more enjoyable and longer life for you.
Tips For Prevention
While you should always consult with your physician on the subject of what measures to take in the management of hypertension, here are some helpful tips which you can put to immediate use:
Get Your Exercise Routine In
Start exercising every day, even if it is only as mild as a thirty-minute walk. The key is to spend at least that long on a daily basis getting your heart rate up. Your heart is, after all, a muscle, and like any muscle it will become weak unless you use it. As soon as you can, start doing a more intense workout such as going for a bike ride or jogging or by lifting weights or swimming. Not only will you be strengthening your heart but you can also improve your lung capacity and achieve better overall muscle tone. Further, you can lose weight, a key to success in fighting hypertension.
Improve Your Diet
Cut out red meat as much as possible and maximize the levels of fresh fruits and vegetables. Place a special emphasis on leafy green vegetables including lettuce, spinach and kale. Eating a plant-based diet which incorporates mostly whole foods in place of highly processed and preservative-laden junk food and prepared foods has been demonstrated by research such as the landmark China Study to have a direct effect in reducing cholesterol and combating the symptoms of heart disease. This type of diet can also help you lose considerable amounts of weight.
Cut Out The Sources Of Stress
Do an analysis of your life to isolate the people and situations which cause you the most stress. Look over the past week or month and identify those factors which led you to feeling upset, angry, depressed, anxious or insecure. Then, do everything you can to root those things out of your life. Maybe it means cutting your ties with a “friend,” perhaps you will have to change jobs or simply learn to take on fewer obligations. Whatever you have to do to make your life less stressful can help to bring your blood pressure down and to keep it there.
Get Drugs And Alcohol Out Of Your Life
This is one of the most important points of this entire article. If you have not already done this, you should absolutely quit drinking or using drugs. Heavy drinking and alcoholism are recognized risk factors for causing or increasing blood pressure, and the medical field even specifically recognizes alcohol-induced hypertension and cocaine-induced hypertension. You may not be able to quit cold turkey, but you should immediately begin taking measures to cut down on your substance abuse. As soon as possible, check into a rehab treatment program like Narconon so that you can finally get clean and sober and entirely remove this risk factor for hypertension from your life.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100/DSECTION=coping-and-support