Manage Blood Pressure by Making Better Choices
By Tom Herrin
At times, people get to the point at which they are faced with a discussion about taking some kind of medication in order to better manage something about their health. Too often, they accept it as a fact of life rather than look hard for good alternatives. High blood pressure is a common problem experienced by many. It is sometimes because of things that are unavoidable, but it may be more often caused by poor choices in lifestyle. Learning from the mistakes of others is always a good plan, but too many fail to have the perspective to do so. Even after they are on the verge of taking medication, some may have one last opportunity to make those changes.
Eat Healthier Meals
There is little excuse in today's world for any of us to eat badly. Nutritional information is posted on most foods. If we plan ahead, it is easy to make good choices about fats, salts, calories, etc. Cutting things that are bad for us simply takes commitment. It may require us getting accustomed to less salt or less fat, but it is not difficult to adjust our tastes for those. Setting goals that are written can be a big help. If we allow this to guide our decisions, we may make good progress.
Consider Cutting Caffeine
Lots of people rely on drinking caffeinated beverages throughout each day. For some, caffeine may be a major contributor to higher blood pressure. A simple test is to drink one of these and check blood pressure shortly afterward. If it seems to be a factor, there are loads of beverages that have little or more caffeine. Most have no difference in taste, even though some people swear they do. If this is a problem, changing to a healthier drink may make a big difference in blood pressure.
Be More Involved
Too many people leave assessing things such as their blood pressure to healthcare workers. Buying a home monitor and using it for personal assessment can go a long way toward being part of the solution. We have one in our home and use it often. I like checking at various times throughout the day to see what affects my blood pressure. After doing this, I am able to make some minor adjustments in what I do. I can usually get my blood pressure at the place I want it within a day or two. The more informed we are about our own health, the better off we will be.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sacramento, Calif.