Blood Pressure
You’ve likely heard the words ‘blood pressure’ used quite a bit, but many people still don’t understand what it is and how it works. Despite almost 50% of American adults suffering from hypertension and less than 25% having control of it, it’s still a mystery to many. Therefore, we will explore what blood pressure is, the dangers of having high blood pressure, and how lifestyle changes like weight loss in San Diego can help manage your blood pressure.
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. This is an incredibly vital function because your blood vessels and arteries are responsible for carrying blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Without blood pressure, your organs and tissues would not receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients the body needs to survive.
When doctors measure blood pressure, they look at two forces or measurements. Those forces are systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the most important, and it looks at the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. On the other hand, diastolic pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests and fills with blood. Blood pressure readings will provide the systolic blood pressure number over the diastolic blood pressure number.
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when your blood pressure is higher than normal. When this occurs, the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is too high. As a result, your blood vessels and heart have to work much harder. Over time, the friction and force from high blood pressure can tear and damage tissue in the arterial walls. Unfortunately, this can lead to more significant issues like heart attacks, strokes, and more.
Although hypertension is not curable, it is treatable and manageable. For instance, if you’re overweight or obese, weight loss in San Diego could be very beneficial.
The Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is commonly referred to as ‘the silent killer’ because signs aren’t always there. Many people can’t tell that anything is wrong, although the damage is still being done. However, some signs of hypertension that you should look for include:
Chest pain
Fatigue/Trouble sleeping
Anxiousness/nervousness
Severe headaches
Difficulty breathing
Visual issues
Nosebleeds
And more
Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure
Naturally, you’re probably wondering what causes high blood pressure. In some cases, hypertension is a result of living an unhealthy lifestyle. For example, smoking cigarettes, following a poor diet, and lacking physical activity can all cause hypertension. Then there are some individuals who are just at a greater risk of developing it. For example, your chance of developing high blood pressure increases as you age. Gender also plays a role because women are more likely to experience hypertension after menopause. Sometimes family history plays a role too. For example, if a parent has high pressure, their kids are more likely to develop it too.
4 Lifestyle Changes To Lower Blood Pressure
If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, your doctor will likely prescribe medication first. The goal of these drugs is to lower your blood pressure to a safe zone, but it doesn’t cure it. It’s also not uncommon for patients to take a combination of blood pressure-lowering drugs. Sometimes people have to try a few of them before finding one that works well for them. However, in addition to medication, you can also make some lifestyle changes, like weight loss in San Diego, to manage your blood pressure. Some other lifestyle changes you could incorporate include:
#1 Manage Your Weight For Better Health
Did you know that obesity is one of the leading causes of high pressure? When your body weight increases, unfortunately, so does your blood pressure. Therefore, weight loss in San Diego could help you reduce your risk of hypertension significantly. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight in the first year of treatment for hypertension can lower your overall risk of health problems. So it’s worth it to shed some weight when trying to manage your blood pressure.
#2 Eat Healthy Foods
Healthy eating can make a world of difference for someone struggling with hypertension. Processed foods, high-sodium dishes, fatty meats, and fried meals are all things that you should avoid. Instead, choose high-fiber foods. Beans, peas, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables are all great choices. High potassium foods are also good for you. Consider bananas, dried fruits, avocados, or black beans, which are all potassium-rich. Be sure to reduce your sodium intake as well because when you consume too much, the body holds extra water. The excess water can cause your blood pressure to rise and puts additional stress on your heart and arteries.
#3 Work Out To Feel and Look Better
Sedentary individuals are much more likely to experience hypertension than someone who’s more active. Therefore, if you want to lower your blood pressure, it’s important to get moving! Your workout can be as simple as going for a brisk walk to something more high-impact like cross-country skiing. Aerobic exercises are great for strengthening your heart and lowering your blood pressure. However, strength training and stretching are good for you too. No matter what type of exercise you choose, it’ll help with both hypertension and weight loss in San Diego.
#4 Manage Your Stress
Everyone experiences stressful situations, but we don’t always consider how that might impact our blood pressure. It turns out that stressful situations can temporarily increase your blood pressure. This is because they cause your heart to beat faster and blood vessels to narrow due to the sudden surge in hormones. In addition, stress sometimes leads to harmful behaviors, like eating unhealthily, smoking cigarettes, or drinking alcohol. If you find yourself dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma, it’s important to speak with a therapist. They can help you manage your emotions and thus lower your blood pressure.
Contact Perlman Wellness For Weight Loss in San Diego
Having high blood pressure is scary and can be detrimental to your health when left unresolved. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to manage your blood pressure better. However, one of the most beneficial techniques for lowering blood pressure is losing weight. If you’re not sure where to start with your weight loss journey, contact the team at Perlman Wellness. You’ll be able to work directly with a medical professional who’ll evaluate your current situation and give you a customized weight loss plan to improve your health. Get started today!