Hypertension is a highly preventable disease. Although risks come from family history, hypertension can still be mitigated by following a healthy and active lifestyle.
As a nephrology & hypertension care clinic, we at Carolinas Nephrology and Hypertension Associates have advised countless patients on how they can manage their high blood pressure. Aside from regular medication, hypertension can still be kept at bay by following these tips:
- Follow a healthy diet. Reduce your salt intake and consume plenty of fruits and veggies. Salt causes an increase in blood pressure. The more salt you consume, the higher your blood pressure will be. A low-fat diet rich in fiber, such as wholegrain rice, bread, and pasta, as well as plenty of fruits and vegetables, can help decrease blood pressure.
- Limit your alcohol intake. Aside from damaging your liver and kidneys, alcohol is high in calories, which will make you gain weight and can further increase your blood pressure. Our nephrologists in North Carolina would like to remind you to drink responsibly.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Get active and try to lose weight. Achieving normal weight levels for your body type is key to preventing or mitigating hypertension. Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your blood pressure. Adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week.
- Cutting down on caffeine and quitting smoking are also key tips to maintain normal blood pressure levels. Although smoking does not directly cause high blood pressure, it puts you at a much higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Take better care of your health today. Get in touch with our kidney specialist in Charlotte, North Carolina, for more health tips.
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