Lifestyle and High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle and High Blood Pressure

There has been a direct or indirect link between the incidence of high blood pressure and our lifestyles.

Smoking and Blood Pressure

Nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco related products causes the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to beat faster. This puts a strain on the heart, which temporarily increases the blood pressure. By abstaining from smoking and using tobacco related products you can not only lower your blood pressure but also lower your risk of heart disease.

Read More on Smoking

Alcohol and High Blood Pressure

In some people, alcohol causes the blood pressure to rise whereas in others there is no such effect. If your blood pressure increases with alcohol intake, it is better not to drink. But it if it has no such effect even then it is prudent to consume alcohol only in moderation and this means one drink a day/week for women and two drinks per day/week for men with preferably two days per week abstinence.

Stress and High Blood Pressure

"One way to get high blood pressure is to go mountain climbing over molehills" Earl Wilson

Stress can make blood pressure go up for a while. However, the long terms effects of stress are unclear. Stress management techniques have not had any direct correlation in reducing high blood pressure. Nevertheless, they can have other benefits like making you feel better or help you control overeating.

Exercise and High Blood Pressure

Regular exercise is a good way to stay fit and healthy. It also seems to lower blood pressure. Moderate aerobic exercise is helpful in reducing blood pressure.

Obesity and High Blood Pressure

Being obese can lead to susceptibility to many diseases and conditions including hypertension. If you are over weight, it is better to lose those extra pounds through a healthy diet regime and proper exercise. This will not only help your overall health but will also reduce your hypertension.

References:

1. Hajjar IM, Grim CE, George V, Kotchen TA. Impact of diet on blood pressure and age-related changes in blood pressure in the US population: analysis of NHANES III. Arch Intern Med. 2001;161(4):589-593
2. Ruidavets J-B, Bongard V, Simon C, Dallongeville J, Ducimetiere P, Arveiler D, Amouyel P, Bingham A, Ferrierres : Independent contribution of dairy products and calcium intake to blood pressure variations at a population level. J Hypertens 2006
3. About cardiovascular diseases - (https://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/about_cvd/en/)
4. Risk of high blood pressure in salt workers working near salt milling plants: A cross-sectional and interventional study - (http://www.ehjournal.net/content/4/1/13)
5. DASH Diet and High Blood Pressure - (http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/dash-diet)
6. Potassium lowers blood pressure - (http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0705c.shtml)
7. Dietary calcium intake and Renin Angiotensin System polymorphisms alter the blood pressure response to aerobic exercise: a randomized control design - (http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/4/1/1)
8. Calcium - (http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp)

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