Lowering Your Blood Pressure

Written by Trudy Despain (last updated March 13, 2012)

Remember Yosemite Sam getting so frustrated and angry with Bugs Bunny that he finally has steam spewing from his ears like geysers and his face turning the color of a red pepper? Yosemite Sam is a textbook case for high blood pressure issues. The stress level in his life caused by that long-haired trouble maker has nearly pushed him to the edge of sanity.

Yosemite Sam's high blood pressure issues are solved when the episode ends. But for one out of three Americans, high blood pressure is a concern. If you are one of those statistics, your doctor may choose to put you on medications to avoid complications from dangerously high blood pressure. But medications, with their side effects and cost, are not the end of the road. There are things you can do to eventually control your blood pressure and eliminate the need for medications.

The amount of weight a person carries around his or her waistline has a strong correlation to high blood pressure. Even a weight loss of ten pounds can have a dramatic effect on blood pressure. Your doctor can help you determine a target weight and how to best achieve the desired results.

Tobacco use is so destructive to a person's health that it is no surprise to find that it is linked to high blood pressure. Quitting tobacco is one of the most difficult physical challenges most people face. Tobacco is as addictive as heroin. Prison inmates, whose access to tobacco and drugs is cut off immediately lat the time of incarceration, have overcome their heroin addiction but still crave tobacco. On average, it takes seven attempts to quit tobacco before success is achieved. If you have tried to quit in the past but found it too difficult, seek assistance through support groups. Local health departments usually offer free or low-cost cessation programs. You can also ask your doctor for help. He can prescribe patches and medications that will help you kick the habit.

Chronic stress is also a contributing factor to high blood pressure. Like Yosemite Sam, we all have moments when our blood boils from pressure and stress. Eliminating stressors is the best remedy but for most of us, that isn't an option. Instead, we need to learn to handle it in the most positive way we can. Breathing techniques, yoga, meditation and mental imagery are all excellent stress relievers.

Getting control of high blood pressure won't happen overnight. It usually requires an assault on multiple fronts and assistance from your doctor. By doing the work to lower your blood pressure you are reducing your risk for more serious health problems down the road like heart disease and stroke.

Author Bio

Trudy Despain

MORE FROM TRUDY

Preventing Spring Sports Injuries

Before you pick up the bat, kick the soccer ball or click into your road bike this spring, prepare your body for the ...

Discover More

Home Treatment Options for Rosacea

For those who suffer from rosacea, skin care is of critical. Preventing flare ups and controlling symptoms starts with ...

Discover More

Exercise Plans

Choosing the right exercise plan means getting to know your body, your goals and your abilities. A well thought out plan ...

Discover More
More Health Tips

How to Change Doctors

Finding the right doctor based on unbiased, objective information means a lot of work on the part of the patient. The ...

Discover More

Finding a Specialty Doctor

So many options available can make finding a specialty doctor frustrating and time consuming. However, if you use your ...

Discover More

Health Benefits from the Sun

Everyone has heard about the negative effects of the sun, but everyone has a tendency to forget about the positive ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five more than 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)