Popular High Blood Pressure Prevention Tips

The following strategies may help to prevent highhundreds of time a night, snore loudly and suffer
blood pressure and organ damage it may cause.from daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea is linked with
Decrease salt (sodium) intake: Read food labels sohigh blood pressure.
you know the salt content before you buy a productReduce alcohol consumption: Most men with high
in the grocery store.blood pressure shouldn't drink more than two drinks
Cut back on frozen dinners, pizza, canned soups,per day, and women shouldn't have more than one
broths and salad dressings, which are high in sodium.alcoholic drink per day. A drink is equal to 12 ounces
Eat more vegetables that are fresh, frozen withoutof beer, five ounces of wine or one and a half
sauce or canned with no salt. Salt substitutes mayounces of 80 proof liquor,
work for you, but check with your health careTalk to your doctor. You and your doctor can
professional, as they can be harmful if you havedetermine your target weight and the best way to
certain medical problems.achieve it.
Increase dietary potassium: an analysis of severalAvoid questionable products. Don't be lured by
studies indicates that potassium can reduce bloodpromises of easy fixes with over-the-counter diet
pressure. Bananas are naturally high in potassium andproducts or supplements that can actually harm you,
the mineral can also be purchased in supplementsuch as those containing ephedra.
form. For people with blood pressure values aboveDon't use any tobacco. That includes pipes, cigars,
optimal levels, NHBPEP recommends increasing yourchewing tobacco and other forms of tobacco, not
dietary potassium intake to more than 3,500 mg perjust cigarettes. The combination of high blood
day - especially important if you have a high sodiumpressure and tobacco use increases your risk of
intake.having a heart attack or stroke. Once you stop
If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. If you havesmoking, your blood pressure may drop by a few
no more than 2 drinks a day, your risk of high bloodpoints. Although that might not seem like much, you'll
pressure is low.also reap the other health benefits of stopping, such
Other things too may help prevent hypertension, likeas reducing your risk of lung cancer.
calcium, potassium, fish oils, magnesium and stressReduce your stressors. Once you know what's
management.causing you stress, see which stressors you can
Set aside some time every day to relax. Stress caneliminate or reduce. For instance, if you typically say
cause blood pressure to rise - in the short-term, atyes to each favor asked of you, start saying no to
least.some requests. If you get stuck putting in overtime
Lose weight: Losing just 10 pounds can help lowerevery day, talk to your supervisor about a more
your blood pressure. Some obese people also havebalanced workload.
sleep apnea, in which they stop breathing dozens or