There’s a reason you shouldn’t ignore high blood pressure. This silent disease can cause serious and even life-threatening health problems.
Fortunately, it’s easy and painless to find out if you have high blood pressure before something dangerous happens. And, once you do, working with an experienced medical provider can protect your health moving forward.
Dr. Terry L. Franklin takes a whole-body approach to health and wellness care at his practice in Monterey, California. If you have a chronic condition like high blood pressure, he works closely with you to make changes to get things under control, and they often improve your overall health at the same time.
That’s because making the right lifestyle changes can significantly reduce high blood pressure and delay or reduce your need for medication.
If you have high blood pressure, here are a few ways Dr. Franklin can help you reduce your risk of problems moving forward.
First things first. You need to understand your blood pressure readings so you can keep a close eye on them at home and with Dr. Franklin.
When you have high blood pressure — also known as hypertension — your blood puts too much force against the walls of your arteries. When ignored, this can put you at risk of heart disease and stroke.
Dr. Franklin or a member of our medical staff can measure your blood pressure at our office using a blood pressure cuff and explain where your numbers currently fall and where they should be.
We can also offer personalized lifestyle education on how you can measure your blood pressure at home and track your readings moving forward.
Tracking your numbers can help monitor your response to any medications you may take and lifestyle changes you incorporate so you can make adjustments as needed.
Believe it or not, blood pressure commonly increases as your weight creeps up. On top of that, carrying extra pounds also puts you at risk of other health conditions that can increase your chances of high blood pressure, like sleep apnea.
In addition to your weight, pay attention to your waistline. This measurement has a direct correlation to your risk of high blood pressure.
Dr. Franklin can assess your weight and waistline and offer personalized guidance on the healthiest measurements for you, because they can vary among ethnic groups and gender.
It may seem like exercise is risky when you have high blood pressure. But getting regular physical activity actually lowers high blood pressure. For the best results, aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity every day of the week.
Types of exercise that lower high blood pressure include:
Even strength training can help get your blood pressure into healthier ranges. Dr. Franklin can help you develop an exercise plan perfect for you and your fitness goals.
You probably know you should eat a healthy diet, but it can be confusing knowing where to start.
If you have high blood pressure, Dr. Franklin often suggests focusing on whole grains, fruits and veggies, and low-fat dairy products. Similarly, you should also choose items low in salt (sodium), saturated fat, and cholesterol.
And don’t forget to limit alcoholic beverages. They can raise your blood pressure and impact the effectiveness of any medications you may be taking.
Are you ready to explore heart-healthy diets that can lower blood pressure? Start with the Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets.
Getting less than six hours night after night increases your chances of hypertension. For consistent quality sleep, Dr. Franklin recommends:
If you still have trouble sleeping, Dr. Franklin can look for underlying causes, like sleep apnea, insomnia, or restless leg syndrome.
Finally, check your stress levels when you have high blood pressure. While you can’t avoid stress all the time, chronic stress can put your health at risk — and that includes your heart.
Dr. Franklin can identify potential stressors in your life and offer suggestions on how to reduce them, including stress management and coping techniques. Having these tools at your disposal can improve how you handle stress, even when it arises unexpectedly.
If you have high blood pressure, you’re not alone. Dr. Franklin can help you learn the strategies you need to lower your numbers and manage your condition moving forward. Schedule a consultation with Terry L. Franklin, MD, in Monterey, California, for personalized wellness care.
