Doctors discount lifestyle changes for high blood pressure
lifestyle changes for high blood pressure are getting short shrift by many doctors. The problem is that many people say they will improve their lifestyle but they never do. So doctors presume that everyone is like that and they think “why waste time with lifestyle changes that never happen? I’ll just prescribe medication now”.
This strategy is not only unfair but dangerous because blood pressure medications have a lot of risks and side effects. They should be used only as a last resort after all other methods like lifestyle modication have failed.
The fact is that most people are prepared to make lifestyle changes if they are given a sensible plan and realistic expectations. But when you look at “expert” lifestyle advice for lower blood pressure you see a long list of taboos and restrictions such as “cut out salt, alcohol, saturated fat and fast food”. And then they tell you to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
No wonder many people are overwhelmed and fail. What’s more, some of these recommendations, especially the dietary ones, have no scientific basis. On the other hand, if you tell people to just eat a sensible, balanced diet and start getting active by walking 15 minutes a day they will usually take action. And just these small, first steps are often enough to start lowering blood pressure and encourage people to adopt more lifestyle changes.
