Did you know that almost half of the US population suffers from Hypertension?
However, only 1 in 4 adults have their blood pressure under control. Well, if your parent has recently been diagnosed with Hypertension or you're struggling to control their blood pressure, here are a few tips that might help you.
1. Routine Check-ups
Uncontrolled blood pressure can cause a lot of complications, including vision loss, kidney failure, stroke, and many more. Therefore, you must take your parent to the seniors' hypertension treatment center regularly for a check-up. This would help keep track of your parent's blood pressure and diagnose the complications earlier for better treatment.
2. Reduce The Salt Intake
Salt's the biggest culprit in raising one's blood pressure. It contains Sodium that holds more water in the blood and makes your heart work more eventually. Therefore, it's essential that you restrict your loved one's salt intake. Instead, you can use ginger or garlic powder, lemon juice, or other herbs for a better taste.
3. Coping With Stress
Stress can raise blood pressure in most people. However, some studies suggest there's no direct link between them. Nevertheless, it can make a person eat more junk foods, smoke a cigarette, or drink alcohol that can raise blood pressure. For this, you need to involve your parents in relaxation activities, like yoga, meditation, etc. You can search for some other ways too for coping with stressors.
4. Avoid caffeine
Caffeine has been known to increase blood pressure levels of even non-hypertensive people. Thus, if your parent is a coffee freak, make sure to restrict them to one to two cups per day. You can even look for alternatives to make them quit their habit.
5. Exercising Regularly
Exercising daily can lower your loved one's blood pressure levels. While there are no particular exercises for Hypertension, any form of exercise can do the trick. You can either walk daily for 30 minutes or use the stairs instead of an elevator. If you're a pool-lover, you can opt for swimming too. You can accompany your parent while they exercise. This would not only motivate them for it, but also strengthen your bond, and boost up your health too.
6. Maintaining A Healthy Weight
Being overweight can increase your blood pressure. Therefore, it's necessary that your parent maintains a healthy weight. This can be achieved through exercise and a healthy, well-balanced diet. Give them plenty of fruits and vegetables, and avoid canned foods. Also, foods with high saturated fats can harm your loved one's health.
The Conclusion
Managing your parent's Hypertension is essential in preventing life-threatening complications. Make sure to get routine check-ups for them. Also, encourage a healthy diet that is low in salt and fats. Moreover, managing the stress, avoiding caffeine, and exercising regularly are vital in controlling your loved one's blood pressure. Hence, if you stick to these measures along with the medications, you'll be able to save your beloved from uncontrolled Hypertension.
