Saturday, December 29, 2007

Is My Job And Lifestyle Causing Hypertension?

One out of three American adults has high blood pressure or hypertension. Hypertension is known as the "silent killer" because people with this condition can go years without realizing they have it. The only way to tell is to have it checked by a doctor.

Taking the necessary steps to manipulate hypertension includes a sustaining diet, increased physical action and lifestyle changes.

Nourishing Diet

The key to preventing excessive blood pressure is moderation and a healthy standing. Increasingly, adults are overweight now than when their grandparents were young. Newfangled conveniences seem to add to the problem rather than to head off it.

Sixty-five percent of American adults are overweight or plump. If you are 30 percent above your ordinary weight, you are an excessive risk. Take the compelling steps to lower your blood pressure.

First of all, make changes to your diet. You have the choice to eat to live or live to eat. Cut salt back to 1.5 grams a day. Add potassium to your diet by eating 8-10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Eat whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts. Avoid canned foods at all costs, cold cuts, red meat, sugary beverages, and sweets. Choose lowfat dairy products.

Increase Natural Activity

Second, lose the weight. Light aerobic exercise 20 to 45 minutes 4-5 times a week will slash your body fat.

Commit to walking after dinner or first thing in the morning. If it is hot outside, walk inside the mall or go swimming. If you do not have time to commit to a traditional schedule, boost your sensible hustle by parking your car a good distance away and walk to your destination. Take a flight of stairs instead of the elevator, weed your garden, or cut the grass instead of having it done for you.

CHANGE Lifestyle

Did you know that your job status could be killing you? We get so used to living a certain way that change can be formidable. However, your situation can dramatically increase your chance of having high blood pressure or hypertension so take the time to change your bad habits one by one.

- Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation. A moderate amount is one drink for women and two drinks for men.

- Avoid Tobacco. Smoking, even second-hand smoke, is not valuable for anyone but especially those with high blood pressure or hypertension. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor for help. Inquire about nicotine gum or patches. If you smoke, your chance of suffering a heart attack is 2-6 times more likely.

- Avoid Coffee. There is a brand-new report that indicates that some unknown ingredient or ingredients in coffee is what is responsible for high blood pressure and not caffeine. Research shows that even people who drink decaffeinated coffee display these effects. While this might seem like pleasing news, it is in your best interest to avoid it if at all possible.

We hear reports of people who drop lifeless, and this includes physically progressive and sedentary people alike. High blood pressure or hypertension is the "silent killer". Please have your blood pressure checked regularly. Make the cardinal changes in your outlook and live a long healthy life!