HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE DIETS: YOUR OPTIONS
Hypertension treatment: drugs and high blood diet as an alternative
Hypertension, also commonly referred to as ‘high blood pressure’, is a chronic condition characterized by elevated pressure of the blood in the arteries. Most of hypertension cases are classified as ‘primary’, which means there is no obvious cause, but there is a connection between developing this condition and leading a certain lifestyle. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing arterial aneurysms, chronic kidney disease, heart attacks, heart failure and stroke. With blood pressure even lightly higher than normal, the patient has lower life expectancy. Medications are considered the most efficient way to lower high blood pressure, and the quickest one too. However, they are not the only option you have, as introducing certain changes to your lifestyle and diet can help you reduce blood pressure numbers by several points, which may be enough to increase your life expectancy and eliminate the risk of developing very serious conditions. Choosing the right lifestyle and high blood pressure diet plan can go a long way towards helping you feel better. Diagnosing high blood pressure early and properly is the best way to make sure your health is under control and you can prevent the condition from getting worse.
Why people go for high blood pressure diets
So, when you have high blood pressure, there are basically two choices you can make: one is to take drugs (whether these will be alpha blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics or some other group commonly used for the treatment will depend on your individual needs and will be determined by your doctor); the second choice you have is trying a high blood pressure diet menu specially designed for people with this condition. Of course, just eating certain foods is not going to help you lower the blood pressure, because you do need to revise your entire lifestyle and become more active physically. However, starting to eat foods from a high blood pressure diet is the first step to success, and an important one too. People decide to go for high blood pressure diets because they are a natural way to deal with their condition. When you take prescription drugs, there is always a chance you may develop side effects and undesired reactions to the treatment. You may also not be able to take some other drugs you may need for some other health condition you have, due to interactions. When you change your eating habits, you are basically eating more healthily and there are no side effects or interactions.
Which foods to include in your high blood pressure diet plan
If you are going to follow the general guidelines for consuming foods likely to lower your blood pressure, you need a personal high blood diet. For starters, you can explore a few websites that focus on cooking food from ingredients that are going to lower your blood pressure, or at least not going to elevate it. You should avoid red meat, whole milk and dairy products high in fat, processed foods and luncheon meats, as well as canned products with added sodium (as they tend to contain too much of it). When it comes to foods rich in potassium, fiber and magnesium, you will want to include the following ones in your everyday diet: oranges, peaches, low-fat dairy products, broccoli, tuna, carrots, potatoes, tangerines, grapes, apricots, dates, apples, spinach, tomatoes, squash, green beans, raisins, collards, grapefruit, grapefruit juice, bananas, melons, beet greens, green peas, sweet potatoes, mangoes, strawberries and pineapples. With that in mind and some additional research, you can easily come up with your own diet for high blood pressure that your entire family will enjoy and benefit from.
Is there a diet for high blood pressure that really works?
There is a popular diet known as the DASH diet. The four letters stand for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This is a lifelong approach to healthier lifestyle and eating habits that can prevent high blood pressure or help you lower it by several points. The DASH diet emphasizes cutting down on salt and including more foods in your diet that are rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium. This amazing diet for high blood pressure can also help you lose some weight (because it represents a very healthy approach to your eating patterns), especially if you exercise and enjoy a more active lifestyle in general. Unlike most high blood pressure diets that focus on rare and costly foods and supplements, the DASH diet regulates the amount of sodium you consume and recommends a number of widely accessible foods that you are supposed to include in your menu. You are supposed to consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day while enjoying a variety of whole grains, low-fat dairy products, vegetables and fruits, as well as legumes, poultry and fish. Although you can still enjoy fats and sweets, it’s best if you reduce their amount significantly. The diet also specifies how many servings of grains, fruits, vegetables and other products you are supposed to eat during the day, just to help you plan your meals better.