Hypertension – Understanding Blood Pressure
Millions of Canadians have high blood pressure and will have no idea they have it until a cardiovascular episode actually happens. Consequences of elevated blood pressure can include stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) and eye and kidney damage.
There are a number of factors that most experts agree as possible causes: lack of exercise; smoking; a high processed; high sodium diet with low fibre; excessive alcohol intake; poor stress management and obesity.
Understanding Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
My Top Tips for Reducing Blood Pressure
- Minimize consumption of restaurant and packaged foods, including canned soups and frozen entrees.
- Moderate alcohol intake and absolutely NO SMOKING!
- Strive for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.
- Find calming ways to decrease your stress such as deep breathing, yoga and meditation.
- Hawthorn berry, omega-3s, magnesium and CoQ10 can all be effective ways to manage and reduce blood pressure.
Happy Heart Month!
