A major issue affecting many adults today is high blood pressure. While the normal range is between 100/65 mm/Hg and 130/85mm/Hg, a rise in these levels can result in very serious, potentially fatal problems. When the heart is pushed to its limits, it causes excessive strain on the cardiovascular system which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Below are some examples of how to control high blood pressure.

Lifestyle:

Lifestyle choices, such as sleep patterns, stress levels, and exercise can have a major impact on your blood pressure levels. Keeping a normal sleep schedule through a busy work week and keeping stress levels low are small steps you can take to keep your BP in a good range. Exercise is also key to controlling blood pressure. Of course you don't have to spend hours in the gym to see the benefits of daily exercise. Simple tasks like walking the dog or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can really help in managing blood pressure. One final piece of advice is to kick smoking habits! Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict, therefore heightening blood pressure levels. Recent studies show that those who gave up nicotine have shown a 65% decrease in heart disease related deaths than those who continue to smoke.

Diet Control:

Diet probably plays a bigger role in managing blood pressure than most of us are aware of. Fatty foods and foods high in cholesterol are definitely on the list of things to keep away from. Another item to add to that list would be foods high in sodium. Snack, canned or fast food, and frozen meals all contain high levels of salt and should be avoided. One last treat to stay clear of is excessive amounts of alcohol. While drinking in moderation appears to have little to no affect on the body, having more than three drinks a day can lead to dangerously high blood pressure.

Medication:

Sometime keeping your diet and daily activities in check may not be enough. There are many different forms of medication that can be used to maintain proper blood pressure levels. Diuretics, Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, Calcium channel blockers, and Vasodilators are just a few types of medication available. Following along with the trends for most prescriptions, however, blood pressure medications can also burn a whole in your wallet. Luckily, there are many generic forms of blood pressure meds, all of which can be found at online pharmacy's such as Global Pharmacy Canada.