{"id":1264,"date":"2017-11-16T07:23:37","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T07:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=1264"},"modified":"2021-03-15T20:43:12","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T20:43:12","slug":"12-lifestyle-changes-cope-pulmonary-hypertension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/12-lifestyle-changes-cope-pulmonary-hypertension\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Lifestyle Changes to Cope With Pulmonary Hypertension"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Pulmonary hypertension is a relatively rare condition that can cause severe symptoms and be very unpleasant for those struggling with it.<\/p>\n

This is a form of high blood pressure that affects the lungs and can lead to coughing and spluttering. In particular, it is caused by high blood pressure that is affecting the pulmonary arteries. These blood vessels are responsible for bringing blood from the right heart ventricle into the lungs. As blood pressure builds up, these arteries can become narrow and blocked and the heart needs to work harder to get the same result.<\/p>\n

This can then in turn lead to inflammation and swelling as the arteries become larger and weakened. In the worst case scenarios, this will lead ultimately to heart failure and death. This also leads to the alveoli filling up with fluid, which creates the persistent cough.
\nThis is why it is so important to make sure that you look out for the symptoms and then make the necessary lifestyle changes as soon as possible. In this post, we will countdown some of the best ways to cope with the condition.<\/p>\n

1. Reduce Stress<\/h3>\n

There are many different things you can do to reduce your high blood pressure and therefore ease the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.<\/p>\n

One of the most important changes is to try and avoid stress where possible. Stress<\/a> has profound effects on the body and can cause the muscles to contract, the heart rate to increase and the vision to narrow. What many people don\u2019t realize is that it also causes the blood to actually thicken which is intended to reduce the chances of bleeding out after injury. The aim is to encourage the blood to clot and form scabs if you are hurt.<\/p>\n

But when stress becomes chronic, it only adds to the swelling.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Seek Out the Right Nutrients<\/h3>\n

The DASH diet is often recommended for pulmonary hypertension. This diet recommends that you avoid sodium while increasing your intake of potassium, magnesium and calcium<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some of the best foods you can use to get these benefits include:<\/p>\n

– Peanuts
\n– Tofu
\n– Broccoli
\n– Bananas
\n– Dried fruits
\n– Egg shell
\n– Milk<\/p>\n

Try and seek these nutrients out where possible and you should find that your circulatory system begins to operate more smoothly.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Carbs and Sugars<\/h3>\n

Meanwhile, you should also try to avoid a number of other unwanted elements in your diet. One of the best changes is to try and limit your intake of carbs and sugars. Carbs are simply sugars in different forms and the problem with sugar, is that it leads to inflammation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve already seen how inflammation is at least partly what\u2019s responsible for some of the symptoms of hypertension, so not to get more than you need.<\/p>\n

Things like soda drinks are among the very worst offenders for causing inflammation. After all, soda drinks can contain as much as five teaspoons of added sugar per glass!<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Get the Good Fats<\/h3>\n

Older advice will tell you to avoid fats but this is something that is being challenged more and more by modern studies. Whereas fat was once believed to be linked to high blood pressure and cholesterol, it is now generally held that the right kind of fat<\/a> will do more good than harm.<\/p>\n

In particular, that means seeking out natural sources of saturated fat such as eggs, beef etc.<\/p>\n

These types of fat have been shown to raise HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) which is the good kind, while lowering the bad kind: LDL. Do speak with your family physician before making this change though.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Reduce Your Intake of Sodium<\/h3>\n

Likewise, you should try to limit your intake of sodium as mentioned. Sodium<\/a> causes us to retain fluids and this can cause us to become puffy and swollen \u2013 not ideal for dealing with pulmonary hypertension. It also negatively affects our balance of electrolytes.<\/p>\n

To reduce your salt, look for items in your local store that are labelled as low in salt. Likewise, avoid adding table salt to your food and stay away from smoked, cured and salted meat products.<\/p>\n

Most importantly of all: avoid foods that are high in sodium.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Drink More Water<\/h3>\n

This is another matter that may be contested by some advice and so as always, the best option is to check first with your GP. However, drinking water is likely to improve your blood pressure by helping to dilute your blood<\/a>. More to the point though, drinking more water will also help you to keep flushing your system and to avoid holding onto water which can lead to the oedema.<\/p>\n

Finally, drinking lots of water is crucial to prevent dehydration. Over a third of the Western population is dehydrated and this leads to numerous unwanted effects \u2013 several of which contribute to high blood pressure.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Stop Drinking Alcohol<\/h3>\n

Alcohol<\/a> is very bad for your health and the more you drink, the worse the effects become. If you are diagnosed with a condition such as pulmonary hypertension, then this is a strong sign that you need to cut back on such excesses.<\/p>\n

Alcohol is bad because it is dehydrating, leading to inflammation and worsening the effects of oedema. Because it\u2019s a toxin, the body will try to drive it out and that increases blood pressure and heart rate. And because it is a depressant, it will also relax the muscles and the blood vessels and negatively affect blood flow.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Stop Smoking<\/h3>\n

What should also go without saying, is that you need to stop smoking. Smoking<\/a> raises your blood pressure and is one of the most common causes of hypertension full stop.<\/p>\n

At the same time, smoking also damages your lungs, causing tiny amounts of damage and irritation that can add up to cause further coughing and spluttering.<\/p>\n

Smoking will worsen your symptoms and worsen the root cause \u2013 so take this as one more reason to give up as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Caffeine<\/h3>\n

Maybe you read those last two entries feeling smug that you don\u2019t drink or smoke. But not so fast: if you drink caffeine<\/a> then you might still be causing problems. That\u2019s because caffeine is a stimulant, meaning that it will raise the heart rate and thereby directly elevate your blood pressure.<\/p>\n

At the same time, caffeine will also cause vasoconstriction, meaning that your blood vessels get narrower.<\/p>\n

More force and with narrower passages. That is pretty much a recipe for high pressure and the result can be devastating for your health!<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Exercise<\/h3>\n

One of the most common problems that leads to high blood pressure is a general lack of activity and exercise<\/a>. This can lead to weight gain and also cause the heart to become weaker.
\nThe best form of exercise if you want to reduce the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension, is to go for long runs.<\/p>\n

Long runs will help you to strengthen the heart and increase the size of the left ventricle. This in turn means that more blood can be pumped around the body more easily and at the same time, you\u2019ll also be improving your VO2 max and become more efficient at using oxygen.<\/p>\n

Just be very careful: high blood pressure can make exercise dangerous unless you ease yourself into it. Seek advice from a healthcare professional before you begin any new course of exercise.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Be Careful<\/h3>\n

When exerting yourself in any way in fact, it is very important that you proceed with caution. You should restrict lifting and pushing to things that are less than 20 pounds, as otherwise you\u2019ll be increasing pressure in your system.<\/p>\n

Likewise, when running you need to avoid exceeding a specific heart rate. That means you shouldn\u2019t sprint or exert yourself hard \u2013 in fact the very best form of cardio<\/a> is walking. Go for long walks and you can keep the intensity down while going far enough to help burn calories and improve fitness.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. Compression Socks<\/h3>\n

Compression socks can be useful for helping to maintain normal circulation. If your extremities get cold or if you notice them looking very red or tingly, then this can help a fair bit. It\u2019s also useful for varicose veins which commonly co-occurs.<\/p>\n

There are likewise other things you can do to maintain normal blood flow. For instance, try to prop yourself up slightly when you sleep. This also prevents your lungs<\/a> from getting so full which can wake you throughout the night.<\/p>\n\r\n

<\/div>