Lifestyle changes that may help in controlling high blood pressure include losing weight and reducing salt intake. This eMedTV page provides other suggestions for controlling high blood pressure, such as drinking less alcohol and exercising more.
This section of the eMedTV library identifies the different types of blood pressure medicine and explains how they help treat hypertension, including ACE inhibitors, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, and beta blockers.
This eMedTV page explains the link between exercise and high blood pressure reduction. For example, studies on exercise and high blood pressure reduction show that 30 minutes 3 days a week is enough exercise to bring about a drop in blood pressure.
This eMedTV article discusses the benefits of a high blood pressure diet such as the DASH diet. Studies have proven that following a diet for high blood pressure diet is low in sodium can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.
The DASH eating plan, which is low in saturated fat and high in fiber, protein, and magnesium, has been proven to lower blood pressure. This eMedTV article discusses the DASH eating plan in detail and provides a sample eating plan to get you started.
This section of the eMedTV library discusses the link between weight and high blood pressure in detail. For example, lose just 10 percent of your current weight, and high blood pressure can be lowered -- or prevented, if you don't have hypertension.
Reduce the salt, and high blood pressure will likely go down. This eMedTV page explores the link between salt and high blood pressure. It also includes tips to reduce the amount of salt and sodium consumed.
There are both good and bad effects from drinking alcohol, and blood pressure can be adversely effected, as this eMedTV page explains. While moderate drinking may be fine, alcohol can increase side effects of blood pressure medicine.
This eMedTV page explores the benefits of supplements for high blood pressure, like potassium. Research shows that potassium lowers blood pressure, but other commonly tried supplements for high blood pressure are not proven to reduce hypertension.
Does smoking cause high blood pressure? While smoking does not cause high blood pressure directly, as this eMedTV article explains, people who smoke are at an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Studies on stress and high blood pressure, as this eMedTV page explains, show that long-term stress may affect blood pressure; the effects of short-term stress are limited. This requires a rethinking of myths about stress and high blood pressure.
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