You Are In Charge Of Your Hypertension

By Kathy Forcey

Hypertension is normally thought of as a consequence of just getting older or lifestyle choices. According some studies, almost every individual at some point in their lives will experience an episode of high blood pressure. For some individuals, this can be an isolated incident but for others, high blood pressure can become a killer if not treated. The decision to manage hypertension before it strikes can be a lifesaver.

Unlike many other diseases or illnesses that manifest obvious symptoms, hypertension or high blood pressure frequently remains undetected until something bad happens and the patient needs to visit a doctor. Typically, this can be unexplained dizziness or bad headaches that don't go away even with rest or over-the-counter remedies.

While in many cases, the causes of hypertension may be unknown and may not result in immediate consequences, hypertension itself can lead to serious health conditions such as stroke, heart attack and even heart or kidney failure. That is why it is so important to get regular checkups and monitor for any changes in your blood pressure.

Prolonged high blood pressure can damage your arteries. Basically, blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood flowing through the body's arteries when pumped through the heart's contracting action. When the pressure is too high, the arterial wall can become weakened and the risk for heart failure increased.

High sodium consumption, excessive alcohol consumption and an inactive lifestyle are the leading factors that contribute to high blood pressure. By refraining from these high-risk behaviors, you can make a difference in your health and not only manage hypertension, but significantly reduce the risk for developing it later on if you don't already have it.

The best way to manage hypertension is to eliminate the factors that are known to lead to high blood pressure. By adjusting your diet and undertaking a regular workout routine, you can make a significant impact against hypertension. One diet that has been found to work well is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet which comprises mainly of fruits, vegetables, fat free dairy products, poultry, fish and legumes.

Unfortunately hypertension is a disease that not curable in the truest sense of the word. It can however be kept under control through medications that your doctor will prescribe based on your personal needs. Diet and exercise are frequently recommended as necessary supplemental ways to manage hypertension. - 29951

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