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It's Never Too Early to Think About Your Blood Pressure

Tue, 09/02/2008 - 12:00pm by FitSugar
630 Views - 9 comments

You probably don't give your blood pressure much thought, except when your doctor wraps that velcro cuff around your arm, and pumps it full of air until you feel like your bicep is about to explode. The the doc will tell you it's low, or normal, or if your blood pressure is high, they'll tell you to keep an eye on it. Then you leave, and don't think about it until the next time you have it checked, right? I am hear to tell you that it is never to early to think about your blood pressure. High blood pressure from your young years 20s, 30s, and 40s can cause a slew of health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure later in life. Since you're all such health-conscious folks, here are so simple things you can do to maintain a healthy blood pressure:

  1. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Your shooting for the top number (Systolic) to be 120 or less, and the lower number (Diastolic) to be 80 or less. Normal blood pressure is read as 120 over 80, but as soon as those numbers start to increase, you're on your way to high blood pressure.
  2. Think about your diet. I'm with you when it comes to craving salty foods, but too much sodium is no good. Shoot for a total of 2,300 mg or less (that's equal to 1 teaspoon of salt). Be on the lookout for pre-packaged foods, soups, sauces, and cheese (they have obnoxiously high amounts of sodium). Instead of sprinkling mountains of salt on your food, add flavor with herbs, spices, lemon juice, garlic, or ginger instead.
  3. Your heart wants to know what else you should do so read more.

  4. Chill out. Stress and anxiety can contribute to your high blood pressure so if you feel wired on a daily basis, take more walks, do Yoga, take baths, light aromatherapy candles, take some time off, or speak with a therapist to help resolve stress.
  5. One drink is enough. I'm all for letting loose with a glass of wine or cocktail, but too much alcohol consumption may also contribute to high blood pressure.
  6. Step on a scale. Not only will being overweight make you feel tired and self-conscious, but you guessed it - it can also lead to high blood pressure. Make sure you maintain a healthy weight.
  7. Thin isn't the same as fit. A slender figure can be good for your health, but make sure you include cardio workouts that get your heart pumping every week. You know what they say, "Use it or lose it."

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9 Comments Add a Comment

  • fuzzles's picture
    fuzzles
    1

    Taking off just 10 lbs made a surprisingly big difference in my blood pressure. Penzey's Spices also makes a whole slew of fantastic salt-free seasoning blends for anyone looking to add flavor, not salt, to their food.

    18 weeks 8 hours ago Report Comment
  • Berlin's picture
    Berlin
    2

    I eat ridiculously high levels of sodium b/c my blood pressure is so low! It reaches an all-time high when it approaches 92/65 (which it was today lol). If I don't down loads of salt then I get the "stand up and faint or black out" spells...no fun!

    18 weeks 7 hours ago Report Comment
  • wednesday_adams's picture
    wednesday_adams
    3

    I'm like you berlin, VERY low bp. Last time I got it checked it was 85 over 60. They say this isn't bad, Olympic athletes have very low bp in general. Just make sure that salt is being countered with lots of water or you'll pickle! Smiling

    18 weeks 7 hours ago Report Comment
  • Spectra's picture
    Spectra
    4

    I actually have really low blood pressure too...mostly because I do quite a bit of cardio. Cardio will get your blood pumping and make your arteries stretch out and become very elastic, which reduces the resistance to the bloodflow. I don't watch my sodium intake much because doesn't seem to affect my blood pressure a whole lot.

    18 weeks 7 hours ago Report Comment
  • goatimpact's picture
    goatimpact
    5

    Once one of my doctor friends told me not to worry about lower blood pressure since the 120 over 80 is for 40 year old white males. I'm not entirely sure what her source was and I've never looked up what the blood pressure for a woman in her 20's ought to be. Do you know where your figures are from, Fit?

    18 weeks 5 hours ago Report Comment
  • Brooklynbee's picture
    Brooklynbee
    6

    Yep, I have low blood pressure too! Glad to see I am not the only one. My doc always just says 'Don't worry about it.' I am in good shape, generally, and I get plenty of exercise.

    18 weeks 4 hours ago Report Comment
  • imLissy's picture
    imLissy
    7

    Lucky me, low blood pressure runs in the family Laughing out loud Though I exercise and eat a low sodium diet since my bf isn't so lucky.

    18 weeks 3 hours ago Report Comment
  • ilanac13's picture
    ilanac13
    8

    i've always had severly low blood pressure and my drs only recently started to get 'worried' about it. i guess it's better to have low rather than high - but there are complications for having it too low. i tend to get very light headed quite often, and i get dizzy alot. it's funny since when i go to the dr for bloodwork, i tell him that i heat a lot of sodium/salt and i get stressed and frustrated yet it still doesn't raise my blood pressure.

    my top number is typically under 90...and the bottom is under 60...i had to even take some type of sodium prescription to try to raise it over 100 - but so far ...nothing's worked. (i'm kind of surprised that it's not higher though since my fiance makes me soooo angry sometimes that i'm fuming. that would raise BP right?)

    17 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • carhornsinapril's picture
    carhornsinapril
    9

    i'm another member of the super low blood pressure crew. it's gotten better as i've gotten a little older, but i used to faint/black out frequently when i was in my teens.

    17 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment

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