High blood pressure is a serious matter. Without proper treatment, this health issue can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and circulatory diseases. Unfortunately, this problem affects more than 75 million Americans. If you have been diagnosed with high pressure, it is not a death sentence. With proper diet and exercise, and the help of a physical therapist, high blood pressure can be controlled and prevented. Here’s your guide to treating high blood pressure through physical therapy.
Important High Blood Pressure Facts
Chronic high blood pressure is often referred to as hypertension, and as you get older, your risk of hypertension increases. In fact, three out of four people over the age of 60 have high blood pressure. The problem lies in the fact that not very many people are aware that they have this issue. For reasons like this and many others, the death rate of strokes and heart attacks has grown by 40 to 60 percent over the last 30 years. Luckily, this issue can be helped through moderate exercise. You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to beat hypertension.
Physical Therapy can Help
When you go to your physical therapist, they’ll help you design an exercise program that keeps you motivated and healthy as a long term solution. When you exercise, your heart gets stronger. A stronger heart exerts less energy as it pumps blood throughout your body. When your heart expends less energy, there is less force on your arteries, thereby lowering your blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy weight is another important way to you can impact your blood pressure. Once you start exercising regularly, it can take about three months before you see a significant impact on your blood pressure, but it’s important that you stick with it. The benefits of exercise can only be enjoyed as long as you keep exercising. For many people, the positive change experienced as a result of a physical therapist’s exercise plan can completely eliminate the need for high blood pressure medication.
Life Fitness Physical Therapy
If you would like help working on your overall-well being or would like more information about physical therapy, the friendly staff of Life Fitness Physical Therapy can work with you on creating a custom program. The longer you wait to improve physical ailments, the more your body will suffer down the road. Call today at 410-368-1026, or find a location online.
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