An alarming number of deaths occur each year as a result of high blood pressure. High blood pressure not only causes kidney failure but also heart attacks, strokes, and other conditions that may not have obvious symptoms. If you’re overweight, losing weight and making a few minor lifestyle adjustments will lower your blood pressure. Here are some methods you can use every day to keep your blood pressure within normal ranges:
Go for a walk – Brisk pace walking can help lower blood pressure. An effective exercise program will ensure that the heart uses oxygen more effectively. It can be very beneficial to do challenging cardio exercises 4 to 5 times per week. Add 15 minutes or so of exercise to your daily schedule to start, then gradually extend the time and level of difficulty.
Breathe deeply – You can achieve great things by mastering some slow breathing and meditation techniques. Both your blood pressure and stress levels will be significantly reduced by it. To begin with, try setting aside 10 minutes each morning and evening. Deeply inhale and exhale.
Consume less salt – Reducing your salt intake can have a dramatic impact on your health, regardless of whether you have a family history of high blood pressure. Consider whether you actually need that extra pinch of salt before adding it to your food. Try using lime, garlic, pepper, or other herbs and spices in place of salt. Take your time with packaged and processed foods. Bacon, potato chips, frozen chicken nuggets, and other foods contain a lot of sodium. To determine how much sodium you consume each day, try this. You might be surprised at how much you’re consuming if you keep a food journal.
Eat more potassium-rich foods – You have probably heard about the harmful effects of sodium on the body. Potassium is a vital mineral that can help lower blood pressure. The potassium content of fruits and vegetables is high. Try incorporating sweet potatoes, tomatoes, orange juice, potatoes, bananas, peas, prunes, and raisins into your daily diet.
Benefits of dark chocolate – The flavonols in dark chocolate help blood vessels to become more elastic. To really enjoy the benefits, pick one with at least 70% cocoa.
Tea benefits – Herbal teas are best for gaining the benefits of tea. Hibiscus tea drinkers in a study saw a reduction in blood pressure. You can choose green tea or any of the many herbal teas that contain hibiscus. There is still debate regarding caffeine’s effects. Pressure can momentarily rise if you consume caffeine-containing beverages. To find out whether a cup of coffee is right for your body, check your blood pressure 30 minutes after consuming it.