How to lower cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure
How to lower cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. You may also need to check your triglycerides if you’ve been monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Your risk of developing heart disease can rise if your blood triglyceride levels are high. However, the same lifestyle decisions that improve general health might also lower triglycerides.
What are triglycerides?
Your blood contains a particular form of lipid called triglycerides.
Any calories you consume that your body doesn’t need straight away are converted by your body into triglycerides. Your fat cells are where the triglycerides are kept. Triglycerides are later released by hormones to provide energy between meals.
You may have high triglycerides if you consistently consume more calories than you burn, especially from diets heavy in carbohydrates (hypertriglyceridemia).
What’s considered normal?
Your triglycerides can be checked with a quick blood test to see if they are within a healthy range:
- Less than 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), is considered normal.
- 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.2 mmol/L) is a borderline high value.
- High: 2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L (200 to 499 mg/dL)
- 5.7 mmol/L or higher (very high: 500 mg/dL or more)
A cholesterol test, also known as a lipid panel or lipid profile, may include a check for elevated triglycerides, which your doctor would typically perform as part of the procedure. Before blood can be obtained to measure your triglycerides accurately, you must fast.
What’s the difference between triglycerides and cholesterol?
Your blood contains two different forms of lipids, glycerides and cholesterol:
- Triglycerides give your body energy while storing extra calories.
- Cells and certain hormones are made of cholesterol.
Why do high triglycerides matter?
High triglycerides may lead to arteriosclerosis, which raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease by thickening the arterial walls. Acute pancreatic inflammation can also be brought on by incredibly (pancreatitis).
The risk of heart disease and stroke is increased by a number of disorders, including obesity and metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by excess body fat around the waist, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Triglyceride levels that are too high can indicate:
- Diabetes type 2 or prediabetes
- When high blood pressure, obesity, and high blood sugar all coexist, it is known as metabolic syndrome, which raises the risk of heart disease.
- low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
- Several uncommon genetic disorders that have an impact on how your body uses fat for energy
High triglycerides can occasionally be an adverse effect of taking specific drugs, such as:
- Diuretics
- Progestin and estrogen
- Retinoids
- Steroids
- Beta adsorbents
- some immunosuppressants
- some anti-HIV drugs
What’s the best way how to lower triglycerides?
The key is to choose a healthy lifestyle:
- Regular exercise On most or all days of the week, try to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise. Regular exercise can increase “good” cholesterol and lower it. Try to include more physical activity in your everyday activities; for instance, use the stairs at work or go for a stroll when you have a break.
- Steer clear of processed carbohydrates and sugar. Triglycerides can rise after consuming simple carbohydrates like sugar, foods made with white flour, or fructose.
- Get thinner. Focus on calorie restriction if you have mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia. Triglycerides are formed from surplus calories and are then stored as fat.
- It can be lowered by cutting calories.
- Select wholesome fats. Replace meat’s saturated fat with healthier plant-based fats like olive and canola oils. Try seafood strong in omega-3 fatty acids, like mackerel or salmon, as an alternative to red meat. Avoid foods containing hydrogenated oils or fats or trans fats.
- Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol has a significant impact on that and is high in calories and sugar. Avoid alcohol if you have a severe hypertriglyceridemia.
What about medication?
Your doctor may advise the following if healthy lifestyle changes are insufficient to control high triglycerides:
- Statins. If you also have high cholesterol, a history of clogged arteries or diabetes, or unsatisfactory cholesterol results, these cholesterol-lowering drugs may be suggested. Statins such as atorvastatin calcium (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin calcium are examples (Crestor).
- Fibrates. Your levels can be reduced by fibrate drugs like fenofibrate (TriCor, Fenoglide, and others) and gemfibrozil (Lopid). If you have severe kidney or liver illness, you shouldn’t use fibrates.
- fatty fish. Fish oil, also referred to as omega-3 fatty acids, can help decrease it. More active fatty acids are included in prescription fish oil solutions like Lovaza than in many over-the-counter products. Before taking any supplements, consult your doctor as fish oil at excessive doses can interfere with blood clotting.
- Niacin. Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid, can help lower your triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol. Before taking over-the-counter niacin, consult your doctor because it may interact negatively with other drugs and result in serious adverse effects.
- Take the medication as directed if your doctor has given it to lower your triglycerides. And keep in mind the importance of your modifications to a healthy lifestyle. Drugs can be helpful, but also consider your lifestyle.
How to lower cholesterol
Top 5 lifestyle How to lower cholesterol
High cholesterol increases the likelihood that you will develop heart disease and suffer a heart attack. The medications you take might lower your cholesterol. But if you want to change your lifestyle first to lower your cholesterol, try these five healthy changes.
These changes could improve the cholesterol-lowering effects of any existing medications you’re taking.
1. Consume heart-healthy food.
- Don’t consume as much saturated fat. Saturated fats, which are primarily present in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol level. Reduced consumption of saturated fats can lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called “bad” cholesterol.
- Eliminate trans fats. Trans fats are frequently found in margarine, store-bought cookies, crackers, and cakes; they are occasionally identified on food labels as “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.”. The amount of total cholesterol rises as a result of trans fats. The use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils will be prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration as of January 1, 2021.
- Eat food that contains omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have no influence on LDL cholesterol. They do, however, also have additional heart-healthy benefits, like lowering blood pressure. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods like walnuts, flaxseeds, salmon, mackerel, herring, and mackerel.
- Increase the amount of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber has the potential to lower the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed into your body. Soluble fiber can be found in foods like oatmeal, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples, and pears.
- Whey protein may be a factor Whey protein, a component of dairy products, may play a role in some of the above-mentioned health benefits.
- Whey protein can lower blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol, according to studies, when taken as a supplement.
2. Increase your physical activity by exercising on the majority of your weekdays.
Eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Neither omega-3 fatty acids nor LDL cholesterol are impacted. The fact that they can lower blood pressure is just one of their numerous heart-healthy benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in foods like salmon, mackerel, herring, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
Add more soluble fiber to the diet. Soluble fiber may reduce the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed into your system. Among the foods that contain soluble fiber are oatmeal, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples, and pears.
It is advisable to include whey protein. Whey protein, which is found in dairy products, may be the cause of many of the health benefits connected to dairy. According to studies, taking whey protein as a supplement lowers blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol.
3. Stop smoking.
Your level of HDL cholesterol rises when you stop smoking. The benefits become apparent right away:.
- After 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your blood pressure and heart rate return to normal, reversing the rise that cigarettes caused.
- Three months after stopping, your lung and blood circulation begin to improve.
- Within a year of quitting smoking, your risk of developing heart disease is cut in half.
4. Lose weight
Your cholesterol increases if you carry even a few extra pounds. Little changes add up over time. If you do, swap out your sugary drinks for tap water. When snacking on air-popped popcorn or pretzels, keep an eye on the calories. When you’re in the mood for something sweet, think about sherbet or low- or no-fat candies like jelly beans.
Find ways to get more exercise every day, such as parking further from your workplace or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Take walks during your lunch breaks. Increase your standing activity by doing more yard work or cooking.
5. Only moderately consume alcohol.
Even though moderate drinking has been linked to higher HDL cholesterol levels, the advantages aren’t great enough to encourage people who don’t already drink to start.
If you do drink, use it sparingly. That means that for healthy people, men older than 65 and women of all ages can have up to one drink per day, while men 65 and younger can have up to two drinks per day.
Alcohol abuse increases the likelihood of serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart failure, and strokes.
If a change in lifestyle is not sufficient….
Sometimes changing to a healthy lifestyle is not enough to lower cholesterol levels. If your doctor prescribes the drug to lower your cholesterol, take it exactly as prescribed and keep up your healthy lifestyle changes. By altering your lifestyle, you can take less of your medication.
How to lower your cholesterol
Eat less fatty food
Try to limit your intake of fatty foods, especially those that contain saturated fat, to lower your cholesterol.
You can still consume foods that are high in unsaturated fat, a more beneficial type of fat.
Food labels should be read to determine the sort of fat that is present.
Attempt to eat more:
- such as mackerel and salmon, are oily fish
- whole grain pasta, whole grain bread, and brown rice
- seeds and nuts
- Veggies and fruits
Eat less by trying:
- fatty meat, sausages, and meat pies
- ghee, lard, and butter
- cream and cheddar-style hard cheese
- pies and cookies
- culinary products that contain palm or coconut oil
Exercise more to lower cholesterol
Aim to work out for at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) per week.
When beginning out, the following suggestions are appropriate to try:
Try to walk quickly enough to cause an increase in heart rate while swimming or riding.
Find a workout you enjoy by trying a few different ones. If you enjoy it, you’re more inclined to keep doing it.
How to lower cholesterol by Stop smoking
Smoking can increase your cholesterol and increase your risk of developing dangerous conditions like cancer, heart attacks, and strokes.
You can find assistance and support if you want to stop smoking from:
- the GP
- Your GP can refer you to the NHS Stop Smoking Service, or you can call the hotline at 0300 123 1044. (England only)
They can provide you with helpful pointers and suggestions on how to curb cravings.
Cut down on alcohol
Try to:
- Avoid exceeding 14 units of alcohol each week.
- every week, have a few days without drinking
- Avoid consuming a lot of alcohol quickly (binge drinking)
- If you’re having trouble cutting down, seek support and guidance from your doctor.
How to lower blood pressure
17 Effective Ways How to Lower Your Blood Pressure
Medication is only one method of lowering blood pressure. Investigate other possibilities, such as exercise, potassium, dark chocolate, bettering your sleep, and garlic. Find additional things to cut back on, such as alcohol and sugar.
Hypertension, often known as high blood pressure, is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer.” Despite having a high risk of heart disease and stroke, it frequently exhibits no symptoms. And among the main causes of death in the US are these illnesses.
Nearly half of American adults suffer from high blood pressure.
The unit of measurement for blood pressure is millimeters of mercury or mm Hg. The measurement involves the following two numbers:
- Diastolic blood pressure. . The highest figure indicates the amount of pressure your heart exerts as it pumps blood into the arteries that supply the rest of your body.
- Diastolic blood pressure. The pressure in your blood arteries between beats, while your heart is filling and relaxing, is represented by the bottom number.
Your blood pressure is influenced by how much blood your heart is pumping and how much resistance your arteries present to blood flow. Your blood pressure will increase if your arteries are narrower.
A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg. A blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher is regarded as high.
You have raised blood pressure if your readings are higher than average but less than 130/80 mm Hg. This indicates that you could eventually develop excessive blood pressure (3).
The good news about having high blood pressure is that you can adjust your lifestyle and drastically lower your numbers and risk without taking any drugs.
Here are 17 efficient methods for lowering blood pressure.
1. Increase activity and exercise more
Aerobic and resistance training have been shown to dramatically lower blood pressure, especially in men, according to a meta-analysis of 65 research.
In a 2013 study, sedentary older individuals who engaged in aerobic exercise training saw an average reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 3.9 and 4.5 percent, respectively. These outcomes are comparable to those of various blood pressure medicines.
As your heart and breathing rates are regularly increased, your heart becomes stronger and pumps less forcefully. This brings down your blood pressure and releases artery pressure.
Which level of exercise should you target?
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association advise participating in moderate- to intense physical activity three to four times per week for a total of 40 minutes.
Breaking it up into three or four 10- to 15-minute chunks throughout the day can still be beneficial if finding 40 minutes at once is difficult.
Similar recommendations are made by the American College of Sports Medicine.
However, it’s not required to complete a marathon. Using the stairs, choosing to walk instead of drive, doing the laundry, working in the garden, taking a bike ride, or taking part in a team sport are all ways to increase your level of activity.
Just be consistent and work up to at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day.
An example of a moderate activity with significant effects is tai chi. A 2017 study on the connection between tai chi and high blood pressure discovered an average overall decrease in systolic blood pressure of 15 point 6 mm Hg and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of 10 point 7 mm Hg compared to no exercise at all.
A 2014 study on the subject found that various exercise combinations can lower blood pressure.
These exercises include 10,000 daily steps of walking, aerobic activity, resistance training, HIIT, and short bursts of activity throughout the day.
Studies are being done right now to show that even light physical activity has benefits, especially for elderly people.
2. Lose weight if you’re overweight
Losing 5 to 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure if you are overweight. Additionally, you’ll reduce your likelihood of developing additional medical issues.
According to a study of multiple research, blood pressure was decreased by weight loss programs by an average of 3.2 mm Hg diastolic and 4.5 mm Hg systolic.
3. Cut back on sugar and refined carbohydrates
Numerous studies have shown that limiting sugar and processed carbohydrates can aid in weight loss and blood pressure reduction.
According to a 2014 research, sugar, especially fructose, may raise blood pressure more than salt. In at least 8-week-long studies, sugar raised blood pressure by 6.9 mm Hg systolic and 5.6 mm Hg diastolic (13).
According to a 2020 study comparing many common diets, low-carb and low-fat diets reduced systolic blood pressure by 3 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 5 mm Hg in adults who were overweight or obese after six months.
Because you’re eating more protein and fat on a low-carb, low-sugar diet, you feel satiated for longer.
4. Eat more potassium and less sodium
Salt reduction and potassium dietary supplementation can both reduce blood pressure.
Potassium benefits your body in two ways: it lowers the impact of salt in your system and reduces blood vessel stress. However, potassium-rich diets may be dangerous to those who have kidney illness, so consult your doctor before consuming more potassium.
It is simple to consume more potassium. Naturally high in potassium foods abound. To name a few: Low-fat dairy products like milk and yogurt, fish, and fruits like bananas, apricots, avocados, and oranges as well as vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, and sweet potatoes.
Keep in mind that everyone reacts to salt differently. Some people have a salt sensitivity, which causes their blood pressure to rise when they consume more salt. Others don’t react to salt. They can consume a lot of salt and eliminate it in their urine without experiencing any blood pressure increases.
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is advised by the National Institutes of Health as a way to cut back on salt consumption. The DASH diet focuses on:
- foods low in sodium
- vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy, and whole grains
- fewer sweets, red meats, and poultry, poultry, and beans
5. Eat less processed food
Your salt shaker at home does not provide the majority of the excess salt in your diet that comes from processed foods and foods from restaurants. Products with a lot of salt are common:
- cold cuts
- soup cans, pizza, and chips
- additional prepared foods
To make up for the loss of fat, “low fat” foods typically have high salt and sugar content. Food tastes better and makes you feel full when it is fatty.
You can eat less salt, sugar, and refined carbs by limiting your intake of processed foods, or even better, by completely eliminating them from your diet. Lower blood pressure can be the outcome of all of this.
Make reading nutrition labels a habit. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines low sodium content as 5 percent or less of a food’s total sodium content and high sodium content as 20 percent or more.
6. Stop smoking
Although it can be challenging, giving up smoking is beneficial for your general health. Smoking increases your blood pressure and heart rate immediately but only temporarily.
Through blood vessel wall deterioration, inflammation, and artery narrowing over time, tobacco’s compounds can raise blood pressure. Higher blood pressure is a result of the hardened arteries.
Even when exposed to secondhand smoke, the compounds in tobacco can have an adverse effect on your blood vessels.
According to a study, nonsmokers who could enter smoke-free establishments such as pubs, restaurants, and workplaces had lower blood pressure than nonsmokers who lived in locations without any public smoke-free rules.
7. Reduce excess stress
We are in a challenging period. Stress is a result of pressures on the job and at home, as well as domestic and international affairs. Your health and blood pressure depend on you finding strategies to lessen your own stress.
Discover what works for you from the many effective stress-relieving techniques available. Do some deep breathing exercises, go on a stroll, pick up a book, or watch a comedy.
It has also been demonstrated that regular music listening lowers systolic blood pressure.
Regular sauna use decreased the risk of dying from heart-related causes, according to a 20-year study.
Additionally, a tiny 2015 study found that acupuncture can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
8. Try meditation or yoga
Stress reduction techniques that have been used and studied for a long time include transcendental meditation and mindfulness.
Yoga, which frequently incorporates breathing exercises, posture corrections, and meditation techniques, can also be helpful in lowering blood pressure and stress levels.
When compared to people who didn’t exercise, a 2013 research on yoga and blood pressure reported an average blood pressure decline of 3.62 mm Hg diastolic and 4.17 mm Hg systolic.
Studies of yoga practices found that those that included breath control, postures, and meditation were nearly twice as successful as those that did not.
9. Eat some dark chocolate
Absolutely, chocolate lovers: There is evidence that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure.
But 60 to 70 percent cacao should be present in the dark chocolate. One to two squares of dark chocolate per day may help lower the risk of heart disease by reducing blood pressure and inflammation, according to a review of studies on the subject.
The flavonoids found in chocolate with greater cocoa solids are thought to be responsible for the advantages. The flavonoids aid in blood vessel dilation or widening.
10. Try these medicinal herbs
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Many cultures have utilized herbal remedies for a long time to treat a variety of illnesses.
Even certain herbs have the potential to reduce blood pressure. To determine the dosages and elements in the herbs that are most effective, more research is necessary.
Before taking herbal supplements, always consult your physician or pharmacist. They might conflict with your prescription drugs.
Various civilizations throughout the world utilize the following partial list of plants and herbs to decrease blood pressure:
- bean black (Castanospermum australe)
- feline claw (Uncaria rhynchophylla)
- carrot juice (Apium graveolens)
- Chinese huckleberry (Crataegus pinnatifida)
- ginger leaf
- huge dodder (Cuscuta reflexa)
- Native Plants (blond psyllium)
- coastal pine bark (Pinus pinaster)
- Fluvial lily (Crinum glaucum)
- roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
- tahini oil (Sesamum indicum)
- tomato juice (Lycopersicon esculentum)
- tea (Camellia sinensis), particularly oolong and green teas
- canopy tree bark (Musanga cecropioides)
11. Make sure to get good, restful sleep
When you sleep, your blood pressure normally drops. Your blood pressure may be impacted by poor sleep.
People who lack sleep, especially those in their middle years, are more likely to develop high blood pressure.
It can be difficult for some people to get a decent night’s sleep. Here are a few strategies to aid in a pleasant night’s sleep:
- Consider creating a consistent sleep pattern.
- Prior to going to bed, relax.
- Engage in daytime exercise.
- Avoid taking naps during the day.
- Make sure your bedroom is cozy.
A regular sleep pattern of less than 7 hours per night or more than 9 hours per night was linked to an elevated risk of high blood pressure, according to the 2010 national Sleep Heart Health Study.
Regularly getting less than 5 hours of sleep every night was associated with a significant long-term risk of high blood pressure.
12. Eat garlic or take garlic extract supplements
Both raw and extracted garlic are frequently used to decrease blood pressure.
According to a meta-analysis, garlic supplements can lower systolic blood pressure by up to 5 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by up to 2.5 mm Hg in persons with high blood pressure.
A 2009 clinical investigation found that time-release garlic extract preparations may lower blood pressure more than conventional garlic powder tablets.
13. How to lower blood pressure by Eat healthy high protein foods
People who consumed more protein had a lower risk of high blood pressure, according to a long-term study that was completed in 2014. Compared to people on a low protein diet, those who consumed an average of 100 grams of protein per day had a 40% decreased risk of having high blood pressure (32).
Additionally, those who increased their intake of normal fiber experienced a risk decrease of up to 60%.
A high-protein diet might not be suitable for everyone, though. Kidney disease sufferers may need to exercise caution. It’s best to consult your physician.
On the majority of diet plans, getting 100 grams of protein each day is not too difficult.
foods high in protein include:
- seafood, such as canned tuna or salmon, and eggs
- beef, kidney beans, lentils, nuts or nut butters, such as peanut butter, poultry, such as chicken breast, beans and legumes,
- such as lentils and kidney beans.
- cheddar-style chickpea cheese
While a 3.5-ounce meal of chicken breast may have 30 grams of protein, a 3.5-ounce serving of salmon may have up to 22 grams.
For vegetarian options, most types of beans have 7 to 10 grams of protein per half-cup meal. 8 grams would be in two teaspoons of peanut butter.
14. Take these BP-lowering supplements
These commonly available substances have shown potential in decreasing blood pressure:
Polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-3
There are numerous advantages of including fish oil or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in your diet.
A meta-analysis of fish oil and blood pressure discovered a mean blood pressure drop of 4.5 mm Hg systolic and 3.0 mm Hg diastolic in people with high blood pressure .
Yogurt protein
This milk-derived protein complex may improve a number of health conditions, including blood pressure, among others (35Trusted Source).
Magnesium
Higher blood pressure is associated with magnesium shortage. A meta-analysis discovered that taking magnesium supplements somewhat lowered blood pressure
Citrulline
L-citrulline, taken orally, is a precursor to L-arginine, a protein building block that may reduce blood pressure.
15. Drink less alcohol
Even if you’re in good health, alcohol can cause your blood pressure to rise.
It’s crucial to drink responsibly. A 2006 study found that drinking alcohol can increase blood pressure by 1 mm Hg for every 10 grams drank. A typical beverage has 14 grams of alcohol.
What does a typical drink consist of? 1.5 ounces of distilled liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or one 12-ounce beer
For women, moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink per day, and for men, up to two drinks per day.
According to a review, even while consuming more than 30 grams of alcohol may initially lower blood pressure, after 13 hours or longer, systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased by 3.7 mm Hg and 2.4 mm Hg, respectively.
16. Consider cutting back on caffeine to lower blood pressure
Although it temporarily increases blood pressure, caffeine does so.
In a 2017 study, drinking 32 ounces of either a caffeinated beverage or an energy drink caused the systolic blood pressure of 18 participants to rise for two hours. The subjects who consumed a caffeinated beverage then experienced a quicker decline in blood pressure.
Caffeine may affect some people differently than others. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you might wish to drink less coffee or switch to decaffeinated coffee.
There has been a lot of research on caffeine, including its advantages in terms of health. The decision to make cuts is influenced by a variety of unique elements.
An prior study found that if your blood pressure is already high, caffeine will have a bigger influence on boosting it. However, this same study recommended further investigation of the issue.
17. Take prescription medication
Your doctor could suggest prescription medicines if your blood pressure is extremely high or doesn’t drop after making these lifestyle modifications.
They are effective and will enhance your long-term results, particularly if you have additional risk factors. Finding the ideal pharmaceutical mix, though, can take some time.
Discuss potential drugs and which ones might be most effective for you with your doctor.
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How to lower blood pressure Treatment
Simple modifications to one’s lifestyle can help lower high blood pressure, while some people may also need to take medication.
Your doctor can suggest lifestyle modifications and talk to you about whether they believe you would benefit from medication.
How to lower blood pressure advised
Making healthy lifestyle modifications is advocated for anyone with high blood pressure.
Depending on your blood pressure level and your likelihood of experiencing issues like heart attacks or strokes, medication may also be advised.
In order to assess your risk of developing more issues, your doctor will do several blood and urine tests and ask you health-related questions:
- If your blood pressure is regularly over 140/90 mm Hg (or 135/85 mm Hg at home), but your risk of other problems is low, you’ll be advised to make some changes to your lifestyle.
- If your blood pressure is regularly over 140/90 mm Hg (or 135/85 mm Hg at home), but your risk of other problems is high, however, you’ll be advised to make no changes. In addition to lifestyle modifications, you will be offered medication to lower your blood pressure.
- If your blood pressure is persistently higher than 160/100 mmHg, you may be prescribed medication to lower it along with lifestyle adjustments.
Lifestyle changes to How to lower blood pressure
You could alter some aspects of your lifestyle to lower high blood pressure.
While some of them work quickly to lower blood pressure, others might take longer.
Try to:
- Reduce your daily salt intake to less than 6g (0.2oz), or approximately a teaspoon, learn how to lower the salt intake in your diet.
consume a balanced, low-fat diet that is high in fresh fruit and vegetables; learn how to improve your diet’s health. - Be active and read up on some advice for increasing your activity.
reduce alcohol consumption learn how to reduce your consumption, including how to track your drinking by downloading a drinks diary. - Reduce your caffeine intake by cutting back on coffee, tea, and soda’s caffeine content to get your optimal weight using the BMI healthy weight calculator.
- Get assistance to stop smoking
- These actions can be taken right now, whether or whether you take blood pressure medications.
In fact, by implementing these adjustments as soon as possible, you might be able to avoid taking medication.
Medicines for high blood pressure
It is possible to utilize a variety of medications to help regulate high blood pressure.
Many patients require a mix of many medications.
- If you are under 55 years old, an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin-2 receptor blocker (ARB) will typically be recommended.
- If you are 55 years old or older, or if you are of African or Caribbean descent, you will typically be recommended a calcium channel blocker.
Your entire life may require you to take blood pressure medication. However, if your blood pressure remains under control for a number of years, your doctor might be able to reduce or discontinue your treatment.
It’s crucial to take your medication exactly as prescribed. It won’t work as well if you skip doses.
You may not feel any different after taking the medication, but it does not indicate it is not functioning.
The majority of people do not experience any negative effects from medications used to treat high blood pressure.
Do not stop taking your medication if you experience side effects. Speak with your doctor, who might suggest switching your medication.
ACE inhibitors
By relaxing your blood arteries, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors lower blood pressure.
Enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, and ramipril are typical examples.
The most frequent adverse effect is a chronic dry cough. Headaches, vertigo, and a rash are some more potential adverse effects.
Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs)
ARBs function in a manner similar to ACE inhibitors. In the event that ACE inhibitors have bothersome side effects, they are frequently advised.
Candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, and olmesartan are typical instances.
Headaches, flu-like symptoms, and dizziness are examples of potential adverse effects.
Calcium channel blockers
By enlarging your blood arteries, calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure.
Amlodipine, felodipine, and nifedipine are typical examples. There are many other medications available, like verapamil and diltiazem.
Constipation, swelling ankles, and headaches are a few potential adverse effects.
While taking some calcium channel blockers, drinking grapefruit juice can raise your risk of experiencing negative side effects.
Diuretics
Diuretics, also referred to as water pills, function by removing extra water and salt from the body through urination.
If calcium channel blockers have bothersome side effects, they are frequently used instead.
Indapamide and bendroflumethiazide are typical examples.
Dizziness upon standing up, increased thirst, frequent trips to the bathroom, and a rash are all potential side effects.
After prolonged use, you could also experience low sodium and low potassium levels.
Beta blockers
Beta blockers lower blood pressure by causing your heart to beat more gradually and gently.
They were once a common treatment for high blood pressure, but now they’re usually reserved for situations where other options have failed.
This is because alternative blood pressure medications are thought to be more effective than beta blockers.
Atenolol and bisoprolol are typical illustrations.
Cold hands and feet, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness are a few potential adverse effects.
How to lower blood pressure in older people
When measured in a clinic or surgery, the target blood pressure measurement for people over 80 is below 150/90 mmHg; at home, it should be below 145/85 mmHg.
If you’re under the age of 80, there are definitely advantages to taking blood pressure medications; however, if you’re above 80, the benefits are less evident.
According to current thinking, you can safely continue your high blood pressure medication if you are 80 years old as long as it is still benefiting you and not having any negative side effects.
Your doctor will take into account your other health risk factors when determining whether to treat your high blood pressure if you have been diagnosed with it and are over 80.
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How to uninstall apps on mac An app can be deleted or uninstalled from your Mac in order to free up storage space for other things. Launchpad or the Finder are two options for doing this. Use Launchpad to delete apps that were downloaded from the App Store Launchpad offers a convenient way to delete […]
How to Unblock a Number on an Android Phone Here’s how to restore calls and texts from a blocked number on an Android device: Get the Phone app open. The More icon, which resembles three vertical dots, should be tapped. Select Blocked Numbers under Settings. The contact you want to unblock has an X next […]