High blood pressure is counted among the ‘silent killer’ conditions. Therefore, as a person living with high blood pressure, it’s important to monitor your numbers. Although high blood pressure seriously affects your health, it normally does not cause symptoms. This makes it difficult for one to seek treatment or measures to manage it. It is among the leading causes of death. It is also among the leading causes of other serious diseases such as stroke and heart attack. It also exposes one to an increased risk of suffering from conditions such as dementia and kidney failure.

The large death tolls as a result of high blood pressure are frightening. Even more shocking is the fact that the diseases, deaths, and disabilities that are caused by high blood pressure are preventable. This is possible by regulating your blood pressure. This then could ultimately lead to saving your life. Below are three helpful things for a person living with high blood pressure that could help save your life.

Helpful tips for a person living with high blood pressure

• Knowing your numbers through regularly monitoring your blood pressure.

It’s important for you to keep a close look at your numbers while at home. You can monitor your blood pressure using devices such as the automatic blood pressure cuffs that are wrapped around your upper arm. Currently, there are mobile phone applications that also check for blood pressure at home.

You may be tempted to rely on the blood pressure reading taken during your doctor’s appointments. This is advised against because most often than not, they may be inaccurate as they only show your state at a given time. It is therefore very important to regularly check your blood pressure at home or in your workplace.

This will help you to be your own blood pressure expert. It will also help in guiding your doctor in picking the best option for the treatment of your blood pressure. While taking your blood pressure readings, always ensure that you sit quietly for about five minutes before taking it. Check your blood pressure regularly. Regular checks are highly recommended for people living with high blood pressure.

Ensure that you empty your bladder before taking your readings and if you are from exercising, drinking caffeine, or smoking, you should wait for at least 30 minutes before taking the readings. Observing the above measures will help you to have more accurate readings of your blood pressure.

• Treating the causes of your high blood pressure.

This is mainly done by eliminating the triggers that cause an upshot in your blood pressure. If you have a continuously running tap in the kitchen, the solution would be to turn off the tap instead of bringing a mop.

You can follow this example for treatment and control as a person living with high blood pressure. Once you have identified the cause or trigger of your blood pressure, the best treatment would be to eliminate the cause. The following are among the common causes of high blood pressure:

• A sedentary lifestyle- engaging in any level of activity, even the most modest, can help lower your blood pressure and in turn minimize the medicines needed;
• Eating foods that are highly processed especially those containing high amounts of sodium is recommended for anyone living with high blood pressure;
• Unhealthy weight- cutting around 5-10 percent of your weight is more effective in lowering your blood pressure than any medication;
• Excess alcohol- the limit is a drink a day, more than that can increase your blood pressure.
• Untreated sleep apnea– most people living with high blood pressure also have sleep apnea, most cases untreated. Sleep apnea is seen by snoring at night, waking up feeling tired, and stopping to breathe temporarily at night.
• Primary aldosteronism- it is a hormone problem. It causes the high blood pressure patient not to respond well to medication that controls the blood pressure.

• Strictly take your medications as prescribed.

By not strictly taking your blood pressure medicine, you put yourself at a higher risk of suffering a heart attack, stroke, and even death.