High Blood Pressure
How to cope with and how to prevent High Blood Pressure!
What is High Blood Pressure?
High Blood Pressure (AKA Hypertension) is when your Blood Pressure gets too high. To get your Blood Pressure tested, you can go to the doctor's and make an appointment to have it checked. You can also buy a device that can check your Blood Pressure to use at home, and you don't need to book a doctor's appointment. Your blood pressure is high if it is higher than 140/90. This flyer will explore changes to make if you discover that your Blood Pressure is High, the causes for High Blood Pressure and ways to prevent getting High Blood Pressure.
Changes to Make with High Blood Pressure
Lose Weight
One of the contributing facts to High Blood Pressure is to be overweight. Some ways to control your body weight include:
- Exercising Lots and Regularly
- Eating Healthily
- Getting to Sleep on Time
- Being Less Stressed
Change your diet
With High Blood Pressure, you need to lower the amount of Sodium, Fat, Alcohol and Caffeine in your diet. Also, don't 'overload your system' with an extremely complicated diet. Instead, have a simple one, with healthy options that accords to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. To keep track of this diet, keep a food diary, to see what you eat every day.
Quit Smoking and Drugs
Smoking and Drugs shouldn't be part of daily life even without High Blood Pressure. However, if you smoke, or take drugs (which could include illegal drugs and taking too much medicine), STOP. It only increases your chances of getting higher and higher Blood Pressure, not to mention lots of other deadly diseases.
Causes for High Blood Pressure
Causes for High Blood Pressure include:
- Smoking
- Being Overweight or Obese
- Not much Exercise
- Too much Sodium
- Too much Alcohol
- Stress
- Old Age
- Having it Genetically in your family
These factors influence High Blood Pressure and below are some ways to prevent getting it.
Ways to Prevent Getting High Blood Pressure
As mentioned above, Weight, Diet, Smoking and Drugs are all contributing factors to getting High Blood Pressure. Ways to prevent getting High Blood Pressure are:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stay on a healthy diet according to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
- Don't Smoke
- Don't take Drugs
Nevertheless, on a regular basis (depending on what works best), get your blood pressure checked at the doctors or at home (for more information on getting your blood pressure checked at home, see your local chemist).