World Hypertension Day 2018: If you have high blood pressure, these are the worst things you can do!
World Hypertension Day 2018: People with high blood pressure should exercise regularly
HIGHLIGHTS
- Monitor your blood pressure levels regularly
- Exercise regularly if you have high blood pressure
- Cut back on smoking and alcohol if you have high blood pressure
High blood pressure is a condition in which a person's blood pressure levels rises to unhealthy levels. Blood pressure is measured by considering how much blood passes through your blood vessels and the resistance with which blood meets while heart pumps. There will be an increase resistance in case of narrow arteries. Blood pressure will increase as and when the arteries get narrower. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension is a very common health condition. The condition doesn't develop in a day or two. It is a process of several years which leads to a person having high blood pressure.
Increased blood pressure can make you more prone to risks of heart diseases. Symptoms of blood pressure are mostly unnoticeable. But living with high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and organs. Heart, brain, eyes and kidneys are the organs which are most affected by high blood pressure.
While people with high blood pressure should be careful about foods to eat and avoid, here we talk about the worst things that a person with high blood pressure can do. Read on...
1. Not losing weight
Conditions like high blood pressure can be controlled only by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight loss. Exercising regularly is important for people with high blood pressure. They should aim towards eating smaller portions of foods and eat only foods which will help in improving the condition.
Also read: 5 Herbs You Need If You Have High Blood Pressure
2. Not cutting down on sugar
Another blunder which people with high blood pressure can commit is not cutting back on sugar. Sugar is nothing but empty calories. People with high blood pressure should reduce intake of sugary drinks, desserts, flavoured yogurt, cereals and energy drinks.
Photo Credit: iStock3. Not adding healthy foods to diet
It will be considered as sheer ignorance if you have high blood pressure and you continue to eat unhealthy food including junk and fried food. People with high blood pressure should be extremely careful about limiting consumption of salt as far as possible. Processed and packaged foods are a big no-no if you have high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure should aim at eating more than 7 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables initially. Eating a healthy diet is important for people who have high blood pressure.
Also read: Climb Stairs: Here's How It Will Reduce High Blood Pressure
4. Not monitoring blood pressure regularly
Prevention is better than cure. The best way to keep conditions like high blood pressure at bay is by regularly monitoring your blood pressure levels. Early detection of high blood pressure can prevent complications related to the condition. You can either visit your doctor to monitor your blood pressure or you can buy a blood pressure cuff and monitor your blood pressure levels at home.
Regular monitoring of blood pressure levels will help you be more aware of your health so that you can take the necessary steps accordingly.
Also read: 6 Reasons Why Turmeric Is Good For High Blood Pressure
5. Not quitting smoking and alcohol
It will be mere negligence on part of a person with high blood pressure to continue smoking and drinking alcohol despite being aware of the condition.
Smoking is harmful for health in many ways. When it comes to blood pressure, chemicals in tobacco can cause serious damage to body tissues and harden the walls of blood vessels.
Not giving up on alcohol can lead to weight gain and raise blood pressure.
Happy World Hypertension Day!
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
