How can I lower my high blood pressure? Part 2

All consumers should understand that having high blood pressure on a consistent basis is not good for health.

Individuals who have a blood pressure reading greater than 120/80, should start making changes in their lifestyle, exercise, eating healthy and stop smoking.

Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce blood pressure. Exercise helps control body weight, reduces high cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If blood pressure remains higher than 140/90 despite changes in life style, one, may need to take a medication. Individuals who have diabetes or chronic kidney disease should aim for a blood pressure less than 130/80.

No matter how high the blood pressure, life style changes can make a significant impact on it. The following lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure:

- Try and lose weight if you are overweight
- Discontinue smoking
- Eat a healthy diet and avoid junk food. While there
are hundreds of diet programs, a common sense approach
should be to eat more vegetables, fruits, low fat and
avoid saturated fats.
- Reduce the intake of sodium by about a teaspoon on a
daily basis
- Exercise on a regular basis. Joining a gym is great but
one can substitute intense exercise with daily walks and
can have similar results
- Avoid excessive alcohol. Perhaps a glass of wine/day

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How can I lower my high blood pressure? Part 1

One of the problems with having high blood pressure is that one has no symptoms. The majority of individuals who have high blood pressure almost never complaints of any health problems. Because there are no symptoms, compliance with blood pressure medications is not good. However, all people who have high blood pressure should be forewarned that failing to control blood pressure can lead to devastating complications, some of which include loss of vision, stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.

The great news is that there are many medications that can control blood pressure. The aim of all high blood pressure medications is to lower blood pressure and protect organs like the heart, eyes, kidney, and brain from damage. When blood pressure is well controlled, there is a significant reduction in both the stroke rate and heart attacks.

High blood pressure is classified as:

- Normal blood pressure: < 120/80 mmHg
- Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89 mmHg
- Hypertension: > than 140/90 mmHg
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 140-159/90-99 mmHg
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 160 or greater/ 100 or greater mmHg

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Which blood pressure monitor is better: wrist or arm?

There are many styles and designs of Blood pressure monitors. Further, there are automatic and manual machines, and now we have arm and wrist BP monitors. So what should a consumer buy?

In all cases, BP monitors work in the same fashion. When the cuff is inflated, the machine calculates your heart rate and blood pressure. The reading is then available when the cuff is deflated. Most BP devices now have a LCD screen which reflects the readings.

Whether one selects a wrist or an arm monitor is strictly a personal choice. The most important criteria for choosing a blood pressure device is that it must be accurate and results must be reproducible. You do not want to buy a machine that gives you erratic readings all the time.

So before you by a machine, learn how to measure blood pressure from your doctor or a nurse. Measure your blood pressure at the same time everyday and be calm. Do not measure your blood pressure when you are rushed and have other things in mind. Keep a log of your readings. There are some devices that can keep track of your blood pressure readings.

Blood pressure is very variable throughout the day. Generally, BP is higher in the morning, and so it is best to take the BP an hour or two after breakfast. Caffeine, cola beverages, smoking, and alcohol all affect blood pressure- so wait at least 30-60 minutes after drinking the above beverages before you measure your blood pressure.

Exercise, walking, headaches, illness, stress, and some medications also influence blood pressure. Exercise always gives high readings.