10 Tips for Controlling Your Blood Pressure for a Lifetime
Because complications from high blood pressure are the result of years of increased pressure pounding on blood vessels walls, adopting a lifelong approach to controlling hypertension is important. Remember that the goal is not simply to lower blood pressure in the short term but rather to reduce the long-term devastating complications of hypertension.
To achieve that goal, follow these ten tips:
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Become knowledgeable about hypertension.
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Make a commitment to help your physician control your blood pressure by actively joining in a partnership to assist in your therapy.
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Maintain regular contact with your physician.
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Adopt a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet, that helps to lower blood pressure.
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Get 30 to 45 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most days of the week.
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Routinely monitor your blood pressure at home.
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Take your medicines the way your doctor prescribes them.
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Integrate medicine-taking into your daily living routines.
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Monitor side effects and report any troublesome ones to your physician.
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Maintain a positive attitude about achieving the goal of life-long blood pressure control.
