Want to improve your blood pressure? Change your lifestyle. These are some of the best habits to improve blood pressure.
High blood pressure (or hypertension) is known as the “silent killer” since it virtually has no symptoms and sneaks up on you. So if you’ve taken your blood pressure and realized it’s high, you may be wondering what the next step is for you.
First, don’t panic. Second, start taking your blood pressure health seriously and make the necessary changes in your life. By reducing your blood pressure, you’re protecting yourself from a potential heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and cognitive decline.
“It is well documented that lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure as much as pills can, and sometimes even more,” says Dr. Naomi Fisher, director of hypertension service and hypertension innovation at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
While making these changes can be challenging, there are ways to make them easier to follow. The following are some of the best and simplest habits to develop if you want better blood pressure.
1. Lose Weight
According to Fisher, the most effective way to lower your elevated blood pressure levels is to lose weight. In fact, you don’t even have to lose that much to start seeing a difference. By losing even just 10 pounds, you will begin to reduce your levels.
2. Read Nutrition Labels
The American diet is high in sodium, which increases blood pressure levels. To start reducing your sodium intake, begin by reading the nutrition labels of the foods you consume and choose low-sodium options.
Furthermore, the American Heart Association considers certain foods particularly high in sodium. The “salty six” include bread and rolls, cold cuts and cured meats, pizza, poultry, soup, and sandwiches.
3. Get Physically Active
You don’t need to be able to run a marathon to be physically fit and healthy. In fact, you can make a big difference by just exercising for 30 minutes, 5 days per week.
“Make sure you’re doing something you love, or it won’t stick,” says Fisher. “For some that means dancing; for others, biking or taking brisk walks with a friend.”
The Outlook
By following these guidelines and adopting healthy habits into your life, you’ll reduce your blood pressure in no time. Of course, there are other habits you can do, like adding weightlifting to your exercise regimen, drinking only in moderation, and practicing stress management techniques.
You can also take supplements like L-arginine Plus for an extra boost to your heart health. It contains ingredients that can effectively promote your blood flow, blood pressure health, and more.
If you’re ready to give your blood pressure health the support it deserves, then follow these tips and take L-arginine Plus.