How To Treat High Or Low Blood Pressure

The Shift In Blood Pressure Guidelines

Article by David Silva

The most recent blood pressure guidelines have adjusted some of the previous high blood pressure numbers and the way they’re interpreted. If your readings are coming in higher than 140 mm Hg systolic and/or higher than 90 mm Hg diastolic, you’re now considered to have hypertension.

Treatment is designed to get your numbers below these levels. In fact, if you’ve got diabetes or chronic kidney disease, treatment should reduce the numbers below 130 mm systolic and less than 80 mm diastolic.

Those with a systolic reading of 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic reading of 80 to 89 mm Hg are now considered to be pre-hypertensive. Unlike the common approach of the past, for those who are pre-hypertensive, the guidelines suggest making lifestyle changes to help prevent hypertension and the potential of cardiovascular disease.

Here are some of the suggestions for changing your lifestyle:

Avoid A Sedentary Lifestyle

Many people with high blood pressure benefit from raising their fitness levels. Increased activity often helps to bring elevated blood pressure readings back to a more acceptable range. Also keep in mind that the best time to exercise is in the morning.

Manage Your Stress

Stress can be affected by a number of factors and situations. Since each of us reacts differently to stress factors, it’s worthwhile identifying those factors within your own lifestyle and developing strategies to either minimize or eliminate them.

Control Alcohol Consumption

Reducing your alcohol consumption can help lower your blood pressure. While alcohol in small quantities can be beneficial, in excess it can increase the stress on your heart and organs, resulting in an elevation of your blood pressure.

Eat Properly

Diet also plays a significant role in the new guidelines. You’ll want to avoid foods high in fat, salt, and dairy products. When reduced in your diet, these food groups have been shown to have a positive effect on reducing your blood pressure. In addition, if you’re overweight, dropping those extra pounds might very well be the best thing you can do for your blood pressure health.

Alternative Choices

While any efforts you make to control your blood pressure should be approved by your physician, studies have shown that some alternative choices can be helpful. For instance, herbs containing L-arginine, which is an amino acid, have been shown to be effective. You might want to look into onions and garlic, which can also aid in your pursuit of good heart health.

New Drugs

Also helpful in reducing high blood pressure are diuretics, commonly referred to as water pills. These encourage the kidneys to remove excess water from the blood. This, in turn, reduces the pressure on the heart. Not only have they proven to be an effective form of treatment, they come with almost no side effects.

Then there are calcium channel blockers. These drugs interrupt the absorption of calcium in the muscles surrounding the blood vessels. This relaxes the vessels and reduces the pressure throughout your circulation system.

Conclusion

High blood pressure is quickly becoming one of the biggest health concerns in the country. By taking a few of the steps listed above you can dramatically reduce your readings and your chances for heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and kidney disease. A little effort can go a long way.