The Old Gray Mare

High Blood Pressure Part 2 – Understanding the Risk



Posted: Sunday, November 13, 2011

by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com

When talking about high blood pressure, lifestyle becomes a huge factor. In my case, I am a prime candidate for problems. While I am not a smoker, I carry more weight than I should, I have a history in the family, I exercise very little especially with my nagging back pain, I don’t eat right and I carry stress like it was a daily assignment. I will say that I am not as stressed as I was before retirement – my jobs for many years were high stress, big responsibility, and management (including associated problems). Striving for perfection and high achievement weren’t so great either.

Notice I haven’t said anything about my personal life. Talk about stress – from custody battles for the grandchildren to associated personality problems on that other side – none of this plays well into a health chart when the individual has high blood pressure. And I received double wammies.

Back to the lifestyle. Handling of stress, food habits, exercise, smoking, family history and a host of other factors enter into risks. When it comes to making some changes, it may become necessary to alter many of the risks.

Reduce high blood pressure risks –

Select only foods that are very low in sodium (salt). Nix some high-salt snacks, etc.

Keep saturated (animal) fat out of the diet when possible or eat small portions.

Exercise often, at least five times a week, 30 minutes at an absolute minimum. Walk briskly, swim laps, work on the treadmill, add tai chi for relaxation and breath control.

Keep weight under control. Carrying too much weight is a definite risk factor. Lose extra pounds.

Quit smoking.

Don’t drink. Or, do not drink to excess. Men should not exceed 2 alcoholic beverages and women 1 alcoholic beverage daily.

Beware of several additional risks that make matters more urgent –

The individual can protect his or her well-being in addition to treatment programs prescribed by the doctor. Conditions respond well to diet changes, healthier food and weight loss. Always keep set doctor appointments and take tests as recommended. Ask questions; take advice; exercise.

Limiting future health problems to the best of human possibility by the high blood pressure patient is ever important.
The Old Gray Mare of DressYourHorse.com

The Old Gray Mare writes for www.DressYourHorse.com and her Blog sites.
Heidi Rucki brings expertise as a horsewoman, dog lover and stained glass/mosaic artist. She is an accomplished freelance writer in the horse industry. Writing online as The Old Gray Mare, many of her current articles can be found on www.DressYourHorse.com. In the past, Rucki wrote for numerous horse organizations including The Connecticut Horse Council. She took early retirement from Phoenix Home Life where she wrote mutual fund prospectuses and was responsible for their submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Old Gray Mare writes to share knowledge and her love of horses for everyone but especially for novice and new horse owners. Besides her two main websites, she has recently published three new blog sites. Of those, her favorite is www.BeautyOfHorses.com.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by elle kynzer
 188 days 16 hours ago.
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All good advice.
» left by The Old Gray Mare 188 days 12 hours ago.
53 fans. Follow The Old Gray Mare on twitter!
Thanks. I kept the articles short and simple. I find this subject so important that I'd rather have it easy to read - speedread actually - because people are more inclined to go through it if it's short. The messages are really important. I know BP is a vital problem with my health and I continue to have problems even with medication.
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