Expert warns: Every day more than 25 thousand people die from this disease
Cardiology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Selim Topcu said hypertension is a chronic disease that can cause serious health problems due to high blood pressure. Topcu said: “It can lead to many health problems, such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, eye damage, vascular damage. Therefore, it is important to treat and control hypertension.
CAN BE CONTROLLED BY LIFESTYLE CHANGE
Topcu stated that some lifestyle changes should be made to reduce the risk of hypertension, and made the following suggestions for protection:
“Eat healthy: A healthy and balanced diet should be followed, with sufficient amounts of fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grain products, lean foods, fish, unsaturated fatty acids (such as olive oil), little red meat and saturated fatty acids. In addition, foods high in sugar, processed foods, and fast foods should be strictly avoided.
Limit salt consumption: Salt consumption should be limited as much as possible. While a healthy person’s daily salt consumption should be around 5-6 grams; It should be limited to 2-3 grams in patients with hypertension. However, according to the research of the Turkish Society of Hypertension and Kidney Diseases, the average daily salt consumption per person in our country is about 18 grams. Unfortunately, in our country we consume 3 times the amount of salt that should be consumed.
Increase physical activity: Regular exercise can be beneficial for both the prevention and treatment of hypertension. Try walking, jogging, cycling, yoga, swimming, or strength training for 30 minutes 2-3 days a week, 5-7 days a week.
Control your body weight: Being overweight increases the risk of hypertension. Therefore, if you are overweight, try to lose weight, and if you are at the ideal weight, try to maintain it.
Quit alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption increases blood pressure.
Deal with stress: Stress can increase blood pressure. That is why regulation of behavior is important. Meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques can be tried to manage stress.
Do not smoke: Smoking raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective measures to reduce the risk of heart disease.”
Emphasizing that lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of hypertension and should be implemented, Cardiology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Selim Topcu said: “If target blood pressure cannot be achieved despite lifestyle changes, or if there are other cardiovascular conditions (such as diabetes, coronary heart disease), drug treatment should not be delayed. That is why regular check-ups by the doctor are important.