Men, do you you lead a stressful life, one full of poor diet choices and lack of exercise? If yes, you may be flirting with high blood pressure. Most people understand that high blood pressure can hurt the human body through heart attack and stroke; therefore, reducing high blood pressure is a must. Read on for some important information on how to lower your high blood pressure in order to become the healthy person you were meant to be.
Lower Sodium Intake
Approximately 20 – 40 % of cases of high blood pressure in men can be attributed to ingesting too much sodium. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most adults should have between 1,500 and 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Most of the sodium men consume comes in the form of processed and restaurant food. In essence, one should never add more salt at the table!
Increase Exercise
Being overweight contributes to high blood pressure, so it is recommended that a man strives for being his ideal body size. Most people need to exercise vigorously at least 30 minutes per day, three times per week. Adding strength exercises can help as well. (As always, consult with a health care professional before beginning any exercise program, especially if one has been sedentary for a long time).
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is one way to help reduce high blood pressure. It takes as many as seven attempts to kick the habit, so don’t give up if you have tried to quit in the past and failed.
Anyone who’s quit smoking knows how hard it is. You wish it were like switching a light off, but it’s much more difficult than that. One key piece of advice is to stay away from smoking triggers. That trigger is different for each person. Learn what makes you want to make you smoke, and then do your best to avoid it.
Reduce or Eliminate Alcohol
Many people do not realize that drinking alcohol can increase blood pressure. If a man binge drinks, which means five or more drinks on an occasion, or if he drinks regularly, then his blood pressure will be significantly higher. Cutting back or eliminating alcohol can do wonders for reducing some men’s high blood pressure.
Reduce Stressors
High stress jobs and/or family life can certainly affect blood pressure. Men should reduce the stress that negatively affects their lives, or at the very least, learn how to cope with the stress in positive ways. Natural stress reducers are: deep breathing, yoga, brisk walking, and listening to soothing music. Another popular method of reducing stress is to consume THC products, which are legal in many states. These products are known for having positive effects on the mind and helping to reduce symptoms of anxiety, which ultimately lowers blood pressure. On the contrary, alcohol should not be used as a stress reducer.
Final Thoughts
Although both men and women have equal chances of developing high blood pressure during a lifetime, men under 45 develop it at a greater rate than women under 45 (CDC). Because of this, men of all ages need to know how to prevent high blood pressure before it occurs. By eating right, exercising, and not drinking or smoking, a man will invariably lead a healthier life, one free of high blood pressure.
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