Good Judgment May Help Manage Blood Pressure
By Tom Herrin
It is not unusual for some people to rock along doing their thing while giving little thought to the possible effects they may have on their health. At least, they do this until they suddenly notice a problem, or are told they have something amiss. Blood pressure is one of these things that can creep up on an individual almost unnoticed. At times, it can be too late before they realize they have a problem. They may have been advised previously about the need to make some changes in their lifestyle, but they may have disregarded it because they did not actually feel bad. They may have thought they could overcome it. Many times, they can make some good changes to how they live.
Get More Exercise
If people are not exercising at the present time, they may not be interested in starting. An exercise program is something that everyone can benefit from. If they have blood pressure issues, some moderate activity may be enough to help keep it in check. They may start by walking around the block and increase in small increments until they are up to 20 or 30 minutes. It may require a little time commitment, but if they are able to avoid taking medications, it has worked well.
Cut Back on Sodium
Many people take in too much sodium, and it can have some bad effects on blood pressure. It can make the blood vessels become more rigid. Most sodium is in the form of salt. Choosing to use less salt may be a good place to start. Many goods may be purchased with less salt. This option is a good one and is pretty painless. Some people have developed a taste for salt and may be able to change it with some restraint. Cutting sodium may be enough to have a major impact on many individuals.
Check Yourself
If we make an effort to become better educated about blood pressure and what the numbers mean, we can do a better job of managing ours. Using a home monitor is easy and inexpensive. Many can even store information for each user. We use one regularly and feel it helps us maintain ours at good levels. When we take control, we can be in charge of our own health, and most of us enjoy the freedom that offers.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Surprise, Ariz.