Lower blood pressure by exercising regularly

Hypertension or high blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer, because there are usually no symptoms until blood pressure reaches dangerous levels. Recent statistics reveal that at least 10 crore people in India are suffering from this disease. It has become the single most important factor causing strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, blindness and paralysis, high BP affects 30% of the country's urban population and 10% of the rural folk. This piece of news is alarming and certainly a cause for concern.

Dr. Chapman says: "Most cases of hypertension are gradual -- you don't shoot up into a high blood pressure range overnight. That's why we urge people -- especially those at risk -- to have their blood pressure checked frequently." High blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors. It runs in families, and can be caused by lack of exercise, smoking or a poor diet. Recent studies have pinpointed stress, coffee, and salt as triggers for high blood pressure.

So those of you who have been diagnosed with this disease, along with your daily dose of prescribed medicine, amend your current sedentary lifestyle. Don’t seek refuge under excuses like lack of time. Do manage to squeeze in a few hours for yourself in your hectic jam-packed work schedule. Health should be your first priority and your primary concern. After all, if health is lost, all is lost. (with appropriate changes in the original proverb.)

Pranayamas (especially, Kapalabhati and Anulom-vilom) along with regular exercise, like yoga or even brisk walking will show marked improvement in your condition. All this coupled with other positive change in your erratic lifestyle and food habits will pave the way for lowering your blood pressure. Recent studies have confirmed this.

Even low levels of weekly exercise drive down blood pressure and boost overall fitness, suggests a small new study. To stave off ill health, adults are currently recommended to indulge in 30 minutes of moderately strenuous exercise on at least five days of the week.

Couch potatoes and procrastinators, especially, pay heed to this piece of advice and work to get rid of your abhorrent habits.