For many people, controlling high blood pressure begins with making various lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes that may help people in controlling high blood pressure include losing weight, drinking less alcohol, and reducing salt intake. When lifestyle changes alone are not enough, controlling high blood pressure also entails taking blood pressure medication.
Anyone can develop hypertension (commonly known as high blood pressure). More than 65 million Americans have high blood pressure. Unfortunately, in more than 90 percent of cases, the causes of high blood pressure are not known. But hypertension research scientists have found certain lifestyle changes can assist in controlling high blood pressure. For those people who are not controlling high blood pressure through lifestyle changes alone, blood pressure medication may be necessary.
Controlling high blood pressure can help people reduce the long-term negative effects of high blood pressure, including:
Controlling High Blood Pressure With Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are the first step in controlling high blood pressure.
Not only do lifestyle changes help control blood pressure, but they often help improve a person's quality of life as well. It may take three to six months before your doctor sees the full benefit of lifestyle changes on your condition. Some of these lifestyle changes may include:
Weight loss
Reducing your salt intake
Becoming more physically active
Drinking less alcohol
Following a diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables while reducing fats and cholesterol.
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