How to control blood pressure? Please share basic information. Change food habit's.
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In a prehypertensive individual, the following things have to be taken care of: 1) Tobacco: While the major effects of tobacco are in the development of atherosclerotic heart disease, its role in the management of hypertension cannot be forgotten. The pressure effect of tobacco is so strong that the blood pressure comes down immediately after stoppage of smoking. Tobacco is one of the agents that induce clustering of risk factors. 2) Body weight: Lowering of excess body weight can lower blood pressure. In one of the studies, it was found that decrease of 1 kg of body weight is associated with an average fall of 1.6 mmHg. Indeed, in many instances, it would be possible to discontinue medications after effective weight control. 3) Dietary Sodium: Restriction of dietary sodium is one of the most useful methods of controlling hypertension. This fact should be emphasized, because of the increasing use of fast foods, which have high salt content. It is admitted that it cannot be achieved easily. Norman Kaplan, a renowned cardiologist, gives the following practical suggestions. Do not add salt during cooking or at the table. Sodium consumption should be less than 1500 mg per day, an average individual consumes 8 to 10 times more sodium than required. If salt is desired, add half sodium and half potassium chloride preparations. Avoid fast foods. Be careful about the sodium content of some medications and specifically read the labels indicating sodium content in your food. 4) Alcohol: Alcohol consumption of more than 30 mL of ethanol is found to increase blood pressure. Hence, moderation is recommended. One of the major hazards of drinking is the usual associated consumption of high salt savories, which is an unseen source of salt. Instead, use less salted food. 5) Exercise: Regular physical exercise has been found to induce reduction in blood pressure. Strenuous exercise should be done 45 minutes a day for at least six days a week.
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