Health: What Can We Do To Maintain A Healthy Blood Pressure?
This is the fourth of five posts looking at blood pressure. These will conclude with an article on why leading a paleolithic lifestyle can contribute to maintaining a healthy blood presure.
You can view the previous articles here:
2. Why is high blood pressure (hypertension) important?
How can we control blood pressure?
There are a few factors that will help to lower blood pressure to normal levels:
- Weight control: If you are overweight slow steady weight loss will help;
- increase fruit and vegetable intake, to several portions a day;
- avoid prolonged periods of stress;
- increase activity levels: hormonal changes that occur during and following exercise cause blood vessels to relax and therefore lower blood pressure;
Salt
- Cutting down on salt is worth considering in helping to reduce blood pressure, especially in those who suffer from high blood pressure;
- Cutting down on salt also has other health benefits including protecting bone health;
Cigarettes
- The nicotine in cigarettes causes your blood vessels to constrict and your heart to beat faster, which temporarily raises your blood pressure.
Alcohol
- Some people have an increase in blood pressure when drinking, reducing the amount of alcohol drunk or complete abstinence can reduce blood pressure.
Upcoming blog post:
5. Will a Paleolithic lifestyle help to lower hypertension?