The coronavirus pandemic has been at the centre of the nation’s attention from the beginning of the year. It’s likely that you have already learned about how underlying health conditions can cause an individual to become seriously ill from the coronavirus. So, for those with high blood pressure, for example, it’s time to take action to lower it.
Thankfully, there are lots of minor lifestyle changes you can make which can not only bring your blood pressure down, but reduce the risk of you getting severely ill from COVID-19. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are some tips that can help.
Opt for Heart-Healthy Foods
If your current diet primarily consists of fatty foods, these will do more harm than good for your body. One of the best ways to reduce your blood pressure is by following the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) which concentrates on fruits, vegetables, and foods like fish, poultry, and whole grains. Making alterations to your diet and taking a healthy approach can also reduce your risk of diabetes, improve cardiovascular health, and help you manage your weight.
Lose Weight
If you are overweight or obese and have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, this can put additional strain on your body and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, losing weight is one of the best ways to lower your blood pressure. If you’re anxious about starting your fitness journey, you may prefer to work out from home, rather than heading to a gym. Thanks to technology, you can use virtual physical activity programs and head onto YouTube, which has an abundance of exercise tutorials you can follow. Once you start shifting the pounds, you should notice a drop in your blood pressure. While the coronavirus pandemic has limited what you can and cannot do, you’re still able to go outdoors and exercise which can boost your mental health too.
Manage Stress Levels
The way you react to stress may have an impact on your blood pressure. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, there are all sorts of worries you may have regarding the future. If you are worried about losing your job or not seeing your loved ones, this can have a major effect on your health and blood pressure. Numerous stress-relieving techniques can slow down your heart rate, promote relaxation, and reduce your blood pressure. Yoga and meditation have proven health benefits that can lower stress and help you manage your blood pressure better.
Avoid Alcohol
With pubs, bars, and restaurants being forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, you may be inclined to have a pint of beer or a glass of wine at home. If you have high blood pressure, it’s advised to avoid or give up alcohol completely. Doing so will decrease your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing more serious medical conditions. What’s more, stopping drinking will benefit your liver and help it function at its best. Consistent binge drinking can result in chronic hypertension that will do you no favours should you contract the coronavirus.
Stop Smoking
Those who smoke are at a higher risk of developing heart disease and having a heart attack. If you have high blood pressure, packing in the habit will lower your heart rate and blood pressure within an instant. Also, your risk of having a heart attack will deteriorate within 24 hours. If you have decided it’s time to quit, there are many online resources and guides that can help you on your journey.
Lower Your Salt Intake
If you’re the type of person who adds salt to every meal, you may not be aware of the health dangers this presents, especially if you have high blood pressure. While salt helps balance your fluid levels, too much of it can raise your blood pressure and put you at a major risk of having a stroke. Instead of relying on takeaways during COVID-19 which may be full of salt, making your own food from scratch will help you keep a closer eye on your salt consumption.
Plan Ahead
Many people who have high blood pressure are at an increased risk of falling seriously ill from the coronavirus. Should you contract the virus, and the worst happens, you will want to know your loved ones are financially stable. Therefore, comparing high blood pressure life insurance quotes is advised. I’m Insured have a guide on helping individuals find the right life insurance quote for their circumstances and condition, whether that’s high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety or depression. I’m Insured offer a free, secure and fast service, working in partnership with hundreds of reputable life insurance providers across the UK to find you the best policy.
It’s estimated that roughly 12.5 million people in the UK have high blood pressure. If you fall into this statistic, there are numerous lifestyle changes you can make during the coronavirus pandemic that can lower your blood pressure levels, boost your activity levels, and increase energy.
