Although High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease are two separate health conditions, there is a direct link between them. As it turns out, when your blood pressure is high, your blood vessels become constricted and narrow, which weakness and damages them throughout the body including in the kidneys. Damaged kidneys do not work properly and cannot remove the necessary waste and fluids. Over time this can lead to kidney failure. High Blood Pressure is the leading cause in kidney failure and almost 1 in 2 adults will have high blood pressure. These two health conditions coming together is very deadly. Now, you can prevent or slow down kidney disease by utilizing these seven ways to lower your blood pressure.
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7 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure:
1. Medicines
Taking the appropriate medicines can slow down the progress of kidney disease.
There are two that will help such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs. Finding the right medicine is lifesaving and requires an important conversation with your physician.
Personally, I am prescribed to Amlodipine which is taken daily.
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2. Physical Activity
Getting regular exercise can help lower your blood pressure. Try and aim for about two hours a week of aerobic activity that raises your heart rate and produces faster breathing. You can start in increments of 10 mins (without breaks) a week and gradually up the time.
The activities below are a starting point:
- Biking (with helmet)
- Swimming
- Brisk walking
3. Body Weight
Maintaining a healthy body weight is another avenue. Using the Body Mass Index, you can screen to see if you are over, under or are at a