Type 2 Diabetes - Steps To Help Lower Your Blood Pressure

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Having high blood pressure can be especially concerning for those who are dealing with Type 2 diabetes. One of the first things your health care professional does when you visit is to check your blood pressure as the reading will tell a lot about your health at that moment. A healthy reading is considered to be 120 to 140 mmHg systolic (top number) and below 90 mmHg diastolic (lower number). When your reading is chronically high, it requires treatment as it can lead to serious health problems such as stroke or heart attack.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help you manage your blood pressure. Fortunately, they will also help you better maintain healthy blood sugar levels as well...

1. Get Moving. Over time, any exercise will work to help you reduce your blood pressure reading. It does not have to be intense training preparing you for the next marathon. Regular, even moderate to medium-level exercise has a significant effect on diabetic management and your blood pressure.
A walk around the block a few times every night can work wonders at helping you get your blood pressure down to a reasonable range. What is most important is you find a form of exercise you enjoy as then you are more likely to include the exercise in your day on a regular basis..

2. Cut Back On Alcohol. While many people tend to think the odd glass of wine can help their heart health, the fact is alcohol, in general, can boost the blood pressure reading, so you are better off limiting your alcohol intake.
Remember what helps to boost your heart health with wine is the grapes wine is made from, not the alcohol itself. So get the benefits without the cost. Alcohol is not the best choice for any element of your health - except perhaps helping reduce your stress levels. But there are other ways to reduce your stress level beyond taking a drink or two, or three...

3. Practice Deep Breathing. Finally, consider practicing deep breathing as often as you can throughout your day. Too many people get caught up in the busy pace of life and forget sometimes they need to slow down. Statistics reveal 25 to 40 percent of workers experience workplace burnout from stress.

Take a deep breath. Focus on how good it feels just to be alive. Then carry on. This can help you better manage your stress, which in turn can help you cut your blood pressure significantly. People with Type 2 diabetes should look at stress as an enemy that needs to be eliminated: it has been found mental stress affects blood sugar control.
There you have some of the key points to think about when it comes to managing your blood pressure. You are in control here, and the everyday activities you do will influence your health in no small way.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

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