In 2019, hypertension was the contributing factor or cause of over 500,000 deaths in the U.S. One-third of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure). Of that third, about half do not have their blood pressure under control. There are a lot of causes of high blood pressure and there are a lot of medications to treat high blood pressure. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension and you are hesitant to take the medications offered, what else can you do? Here are the top 7 things you can do on your own:
- Exercise
- Improve your diet
- Lose weight
- Lower stress levels
- Limit sodium intake
- Limit alcohol intake
- Stop smoking
The list seems simple enough, but nothing changes if nothing changes. If you are suffering with high blood pressure, take action first. Medicine as a first choice first gets a lot of us in trouble– and we all see the lengthy lists of side effects that accompany every medication. Also, make sure you have a reliable blood pressure monitor at home so you can get consistent readings!
Don’t forget that Ryan Peters, Massage Therapist, is available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday should you need additional stress management!
Make a commitment to your health today.
Stay well adjusted,
Dr. Dan Kammer