Six Habits That May Raise Your BP

Woman Smart Watch

To keep your blood pressure under control, it may take adding a few things to your life, like exercise, to help lower your blood pressure. However, what you may not really know is that physical exercise is also something to avoid and can raise blood pressure. A healthy blood pressure level means your heart won't be attacked or have a stroke.

If you or some of you are one of the nearly 80 million adults in the United States with high blood pressure, there are six things you need to be aware of that can raise your blood pressure and hinder your efforts to maintain a healthy blood pressure range.

1-- salt

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 1.5 grams of salt a day, a level that has been linked to lower blood pressure and reduced the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Because Americans eat so much sodium, even a reduction to 2.4 grams a day can improve blood pressure and heart health.

2-- Swelling reliever (Diuretics)

People with high blood pressure should be aware that taking anti-swelling drugs can raise their blood pressure. Many over-the-counter cold and flu medicines have inflation-reducing agents added to their preparation. Read the labels of over-the-counter medications thoroughly and heed warnings for patients with high blood pressure and those taking hypertension medications.

3- alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. Your doctor may advise you to cut down on alcohol. If cutting down on alcohol is a difficult task for you, ask your health care provider for advice. The American Heart Association recommends that men drink no more than twice a day and women no more than once.

4 - bath and sauna

People with high blood pressure should not alternate baths with hot and cold water, hot tub baths and saunas. This can cause a rise in blood pressure.

5-- Gain weight

There are many benefits to maintaining a healthy weight. For those who are slowly gaining weight, gradually increase the intensity of physical activity (up to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week). Reduce your calorie intake, or until your weight stabilizes. If you're overweight, even losing 5-10 pounds can help lower your blood pressure.

6 - Sitting too much

New research shows that a few minutes of light activity in people with 0type 2 diabetes who sit all day can lower their high blood pressure. A three-minute walk over an eight-hour day can lower systolic blood pressure by 10 points.