Tips for Lowering Your Blood Pressure
By Stephen R. Farris
Nearly one-half of the American population has high blood pressure, according to reports from various health care agencies from across the nation.
Usually, a person with high blood pressure is classified with one or both of the following. The systolic number is greater than 130, or the diastolic number is greater than 80. Normal blood pressure is considered 130/80, with small variances fractionally lower to an extent, but never too far from those numbers.
Normally, people with high blood pressure usually take medication to help keep it under control. Other methods are more natural and involve things such as fresh herbs, raw fruits and vegetables, and regular exercise.
Increasing your activity rate is a good start to helping keep your blood pressure normal and to bring it down when elevated. However, when starting an exercise program or being more active, you should probably consult with your local chiropractor and/or primary physician to make sure there are no other conditions you may not be aware of that could prevent you from starting.
With that being said, you don't want to start out in fast and furious mode either. So here's a few tips to get started to lower your blood pressure and maintain healthy numbers.
- Use stairs more when at work
- Walk instead of drive, if you live near your job
- Do more chores around the house
- Take up gardening
- If you own a bike take a refreshing ride around the neighborhood
Change Your Diet
Another way to help lower blood pressure is to change up your diet and drop a few pounds. Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even some forms of cancer. A couple of changes could be cutting out processed foods, and eating more fresh leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits.
Drop the Sodium, Add More Potassium
The verdict on sodium is still a debatable one in the area of food nutrition. A certain amount of salt is needed in our daily diet, it's just when too much (usually hidden in high processed and packaged foods) is consumed that it leads to health problems. Try increasing your potassium intake instead. There are many foods high in potassium, such as bananas, milk, fish, sweet potatoes, etc.
If you have questions about lowering your blood pressure, your local chiropractor can help answer some of those, and even offer tips and suggestions on how to control it better.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Pasadena, Tex.