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SELF-CARE AT HOME
The management and control of high blood pressure involves two major options, lifestyle modification and medication.
LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS TO MANAGE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
WEIGHT CONTROL
Aim for a healthy weight range for your height and body type. Your health care practitioner can help you calculate a healthy target weight.
Even a small amount of weight loss can make a major difference in lowering or preventing high blood pressure.
You must burn more calories than you take in to lose weight.
Crash or fad diets are not helpful and may be dangerous.
Some weight loss medications also carry major risks and may even elevate blood pressure, and great caution is advised in using these drugs. Please ask your health care practitioner or pharmacist for help in deciding if a weight loss medication is appropriate for your situation.
EXERCISE OR INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Physical activity reduces total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein or LDL) and raises the good cholesterol (high density lipoprotein or HDL).
Both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.
Physical activity includes many daily activities such as cleaning the house, raking the lawn, and walking. Other possible sources of activity can include using the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator, walking for errands instead of driving a car, and participating in a sport or social activity such dancing.
OTHER THERAPY
Alternative therapies may be helpful to people trying to control their blood pressure.
Acupuncture and biofeedback are well-accepted alternative techniques that may help some people with high blood pressure.
Techniques that induce relaxation and reduce stress are recommended. These include meditation, yoga, and relaxation training.
These techniques alone may not control high blood pressure for many people. They should not be used as a substitute for medical therapy without first consulting with your health care practitioner.
Dietary supplements and alternative medications and therapies are sometimes recommended for high blood pressure.
Examples include vitamins, garlic, fish oil, L-arginine, soy, coenzyme Q10, herbs, phytosterols, and chelation therapy.
While these substances may be beneficial, the exact nature of their benefits is not known.
Scientific studies have produced no evidence that these therapies lower blood pressure or prevent the complications of high blood pressure.
Most of these substances are harmless if taken in moderate doses. Most people can take them without problems.
Talk to your health care practitioner if you are considering any of these treatments. Substituting these therapies for medical therapies that have been shown to lower blood pressure and the risk of complications may have a harmful effect on your health
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