How to reduce hypertension by following these simple steps – Brinkwire

In the UK, more than one in four adults will suffer from high blood pressure, even if they may not realize it.

The symptoms of the disease may go unnoticed and the only way to find out is to have your blood pressure checked.

But there are ways to reduce high blood pressure, called high blood pressure, told Daily Star Online pharmacist Anhu Kaura of Lloyds Pharmacy.

The health expert says that there are six reasons why your blood pressure can be high.

"Hypertension becomes more common with age"

Anshu Kaura

Age:

High blood pressure is more common in people over 60 years old.

Anshu explained, "Hypertension is becoming more common as you get older and you are particularly at risk if you are over 65 years old.

"Research suggests that this is probably due to the fact that the blood vessels" harden "naturally with age, which makes them lose their elasticity.

"If you are under 80 years old, your doctor will probably prescribe medication to help lower your blood pressure, such as a calcium channel blocker, which can reduce blood pressure by widening the blood vessels."

Lack of sleep:

Sleep deprivation may cause hypertension that may increase the risk of hypertension.

Anshu suggests having regular sleep hours each night and making sure to relax before going to bed.

She added, "Relaxation such as light yoga can help you feel more relaxed before going to bed, or a warm bath can help your body reach an ideal temperature for sleeping.

"If you suffer from insomnia, consult your pharmacist for advice."

To be overweight:

Overweight not only increases the risk of developing various diseases, but is one of the major contributors to hypertension.

"Being overweight has many risk factors for your health, including high blood pressure and poor health," Anshu said.

She added, "This is probably related to poor diet and lack of exercise, two factors that can lead to various diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and even poor mental function.

"Simple exercises such as swimming and walking can help reduce blood pressure, as well as weight loss, which is essential for improving heart health.

"You should also try to make simple dietary changes, such as reducing sugary drinks and eating high fiber foods."

Too much salt:

High levels of salt are known to cause high blood pressure, as they can reduce your kidneys' ability to absorb water and overload your blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure.

Reducing your salt intake is one of the fastest ways to lower your blood pressure. It is therefore recommended to always check the food labels.

An underlying health problem:

High blood pressure is sometimes caused by underlying health problems or by taking certain medications badociated with them.

Anshu suggests that you consult your local GP if you think your condition is underlying.

Excessive consumption of alcohol:

Too much drinking of alcohol is another known cause of hypertension.

Make sure you do not consume more than 14 units of alcohol a week and try to spread your alcohol intake over a few days.

"Regularly drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure over time, so it is highly recommended to stay within the recommended limits to reduce your risk," concluded the pharmacist.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is recorded with two digits. Systolic pressure (high number) is the force through which the heart pumps blood throughout the body.

The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to blood flow in the vessels.

If you are worried about being hypertensive, the NHS recommends that you consult your GP for a check-up.