High blood pressure is an abnormal increase in blood pressure on the lining of the arteries. This chronic disease, which affects almost 20% of the population, can have serious health consequences (increased risk of stroke and myocardial infarction in particular).
If the treatment is not curative, it will keep the tension “in normal.” It settles without being noticed and ends up tiring our hearts. The cure to hypertension involves following a few rules of healthy living. So let’s adopt these very simple reflexes to bring our tension down.
Measure your blood pressure
People who have hypertension must check their blood pressure regularly. The measurement is carried out with a blood pressure monitor (available in pharmacies), which indicates two values. Systolic pressure (higher number) and diastolic pressure (lower number).
The best time to measure your blood pressure is in the morning (before you have taken your hypertension medicines) and once in the evening.
Take your antihypertensive treatment regularly
In addition to dietary and dietary measures, medication may be prescribed to control your hypertension. These drugs can act on several levels:
- On hormones that regulate blood pressure (ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA II);
- On the flexibility of the arteries (calcium channel blockers)
- On eliminating excess salt and water from the body (thiazide diuretics)
- On heart rate and blood pressure directly (beta-blockers)
Treatments for high blood pressure must be taken throughout life and on a very regular basis. It is all the more crucial since hypertension is a silent disease: patients who suffer from it do not always experience its symptoms.
Adherence to treatment remains essential to ensure its effectiveness. To facilitate this compliance, take your medicine at a fixed time each day so that it becomes a ritual and not to be forgotten.
Monitor your diet in case of hypertension
The priority in high blood pressure is to limit salt intake. World health organization’s daily recommendations are to limit consumption to 5 g per day, a teaspoon. Contrary to popular belief, the complete removal of salt from the diet is not essential for all hypertensive patients. The salt-free diet can cause dehydration. It must be followed medically before starting it. Your general practitioner will be able to guide you on which diet is best suited for you.
Other general dietary advice also applies in cases of hypertension:
- Consume five fruits and vegetables per day
- Consume whole seeds
- Favor lean meats
- Limit fats especially saturated fats
- Consume foods rich in potassium (see foods richest in potassium)
- Drink regularly, between 1.5 and 2 liters of water per day
- In general, it is better to maintain a “healthy weight,” a BMI between 18.5 and 25. Overweight can indeed be a cause of elevated blood pressure.
General lifestyle advice
Physical activity is essential when you have high blood pressure. Adults should have a moderate physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day.
On a daily basis, try to follow these few tips that will help you keep your blood pressure within normal limits:
- No smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Prevent other health problems like diabetes
- Practice yoga
- Sleep for 7 to 8 hours
High blood pressure cannot be cured, but it can be very well controlled if you follow these tips. The disease is then balanced, and the patients can live quite normally. All the same, regular medical checks are essential.
If you experience any discomfort or any unusual sensation, it may be a sign that your treatment is no longer entirely suitable. Do not wait for your next appointment if it is scheduled for several months. Ask to see your doctor soon to reassess your treatment.