Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure

By Steve Brodie

Excess body weight has a strong correlation with high blood pressure, so aside form the general health benefits of weight reduction, losing some weight can also lead to reductions in high blood pressure, and can improve the effects of blood pressure medications also. Studies have shown that losing even as little as four kilos can help reduce the blood pressure of hypertensive patients who are overweight.

Weight reduction is a key starting point if you are looking to naturally lower your blood pressure. Losing those extra kilos can really be beneficial, you'll be more active and healthy and your lowered blood pressure will reduce the associated risks of heart attack and stroke.

For those who have a mild case of high blood pressure loosing weight may be the only step they need to control their blood pressure and take back control of their lives. Those with severe high blood pressure may be able to reduce their medications and eventually come off them all together with the right weight loss and lifestyle plans. There are two things that matter about losing weight: how much you lose and where the weight is sitting.

Overweight sufferers can benefit significantly from even a small amount of weight loss. Four kilos of weight loss can make a huge difference for hypertension. Weight loss can mean you can take less of your medications, as well as reducing associated risks like cardiovascular disease. For maximum health benefits, overweight blood pressure patients should consult with their doctor to find their weight reduction target.

Carry a few extra kilos can be bad enough, bit it is important also where those kilos are stored by your body. Where the weight goes is usually inherited by your parents, like hair and eye colour. Most men have apple tendencies " carrying weight around the belly, while most woman have pear tendencies, with weight on hips and thighs. Unfortunately for men it is the apple shape that is at greater risk of high blood pressure and other risks like heart attack, although excess weight anywhere in the body needs to be addressed.

Losing too much weight too fast usually requires unsustainable diet plans, so dont try to shed it all at once. Aim to lose about a quarter or a half a kilo a week by making smaller changes that you can incorporate into your daily routine and keep them there " an apple instead of a candy bar, baked chicken or fish instead of fried, salad instead of fries and a brisk walk or two for about fifteen to twenty minutes a day. It may seem small, but for starting it is far more sustainable than going on a crash diet of cabbage soup or something.

Weight loss can be the road to a healthy happy you " there are more benefits than just those of lowering blood pressure. If you keep in mind a balanced approach and slowly start to enjoy more fresh foods and whole foods in your diet you will notice an increase in energy and vitality in your life.

Weight loss can make you more physically active, which will in turn further decrease your blood pressure and give more energy to your life. Moderate exercise helps to improve blood flow in your body and will lead to a slower standing heart rate, which of course means lower blood pressure. The more you loose, the more you can do, the more you can do, the more you can loose! Remember you can beat high blood pressure naturally, so kick start your new life by loosing a couple of kilos and feel the difference. - 14130

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