Millions of people suffer from high blood pressure, which is why it is one of the most recognized health concerns. High blood pressure is also called hypertension, and it can increase your risk of suffering from health problems like heart disease and stroke.
When you are diagnosed with high blood pressure your doctor will give you certain orders to change your daily routine, exercise more, watch what you eat, and take certain OTC products. The over the counter medications you are prescribed are sometimes safe, but some can make your blood pressure worse.
When you have high blood pressure it is definitely important to read the labels on any over the counter medication you're taking, especially if your blood pressure is more than 120/80 mmHg. Take a look below at the kind of over the counter medications you should avoid taking when you have high blood pressure.
Cold Medicines
When you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure you should use caution when taking common cold medications like decongestants. Decongestants work to help your cold by narrowing the blood vessels within your nose and sinuses.
However, when you have high blood pressure it may make your condition worse by narrowing blood vessels in other places in your body. If you are taking over the counter medications for your high blood pressure some ingredients that can be found in cold medicines like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine will interrupt your treatment.
Over The Counter Medications with High Sodium Content
Taking over the counter medications that have a high level of sodium can have adverse side effects when pared with your prescribed blood pressure medications. The high sodium content will make your blood pressure worse by making your body keep in water.
Before you take any OTC medicine make sure it doesn't have ingredients in it that are labeled soda or sodium. If you are taking a certain medication that has a high level of sodium look for a similar version that has a sodium level that's lower. If you have high blood pressure some over the counter medications will have more sodium than your daily allowance so you have to be-careful.
What Foods Should You Avoid
Along with the certain medications you should avoid taking, you should also watch the type of foods you eat. There are some foods that will reduce your high blood pressure and some that will make it worse. If you have high blood pressure or if you’re at risk of developing it you should remove the following food items from your diet.
Soda
Drinking less soda is important if you are suffering from high blood pressure due to sugar content of these beverages. Even drinks like sweet tea can increase the rate of your high blood pressure. Instead of drinking sodas look for more unsweetened drinks like water or natural fruit juices that don't have any sugar added.
Alcohol
Another beverage to remove from your diet includes alcohol. If you really have to consume alcohol it is important to keep it to a minimum to avoid increasing your hypertension.
Coffee
Just like alcohol, and beverages with excessive sugar, coffee can make your high blood pressure worse. Instead of consuming caffeinated beverages everyday replace them with a healthier choice like herbal tea or green tea.
Processed Meats
As mentioned earlier, high levels of sodium is your enemy if you have high blood pressure, and processed foods are extremely salty. Avoid processed meats like sausage, bacon, and hot dogs which will make your hypertension condition worse due to their high sodium content. Replace processed meats in your diet with lower sodium alternatives like chicken breast, turkey breast, and lean beef.
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