Prevention Of Hypertension - Continued

• Some research has shown that taking one aspirin a day can be beneficial to the health of your heart and blood vessels.  Be sure to check with your doctor before starting a once-a-day aspirin regimen.  Taking a coated aspirin will be gentler on your stomach.
  Ignoring hypertension can lead to a stroke or kidney failure.  Not knowing that you have high blood pressure can only prove deadly.

A simpler way to handle hypertension is to prevent it before you are diagnosis with this illness.  Diet and exercise are big factors is controlling hypertension.  It is recommended that you walk 30 to 45 minutes at least three to four times a week.  With diet and exercise your will drop a few unwanted pounds.  Controlling your weight is a very important part of prevention.  Smoking significantly increases your risk of a stroke so it is important for you to quit smoking, as hard as that may seem.  Purchase an at-home blood pressure monitor and check your blood pressure frequently.  Record the result in a notebook.

If you have any concerns or questions contact your physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet.  If your physician finds your blood pressure not dangerously high, your doctor may wait for up to six months before starting you on anti-hypertensive medication.  This will give your body a chance to lower its blood pressure through lifestyle and dietary changes.

Blood pressure medication often includes diuretics, which may cause you to urinate more frequently, which has a tendency to exhaust your blood potassium so eating more natural potassium such as bananas is recommended.  At times a blood pressure medication maybe necessary.  Be sure to report any side effects such as dizziness, impotence, swelling around your ankles or other side effects, call your doctor right away.  This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.