Halt High Blood Pressure and Enjoy a Long, Healthy Retirement

Cut your sodium intake. Your body needs only about a teaspoon a day. However, between processed foods and that salt shaker on your table, you are likely getting three or more times that amount. Salt constricts the blood vessels which in turn hinders blood flow.

While high blood pressure aka hypertension can happen at any age, it seems that adults 55 years of age and older seem to get diagnosed more frequently. However, there are many things you can do, no matter how old you are, that can make a difference and greatly prolong your life. You just have to have to commit to follow through.

1.  If you are overweight, lose the excess pounds. The extra pounds can weigh heavily (pun intended) on the heart. If your heart has to work harder in order to pump oxygen throughout your body, you will have a high blood pressure because of it. Changing your eating habits and incorporating exercise goes a long way toward having a healthy heart and losing weight.

2.  Cut your sodium intake. Your body needs only about a teaspoon a day. However, between processed foods and that salt shaker on your table, you are likely getting three or more times that amount. Salt constricts the blood vessels which in turn hinders blood flow. Your heart has to work overtime then in order to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body, thus raising blood pressure. Be sure to read food packaging for lower sodium options and hide that salt shaker!

Continuing Care Retirement Communities In addition, senior retirees may not notice the depression in themselves. What is important is that there are some signs of depression that are often misdiagnosed or mistaken for something else. Everyone assumes that appetite, sleep troubles and forgetfulness is a part of growing older. However, many older adults have no issues whatsoever. Therefore, you have to think back to whether these problems were ever present before retirement. Continuing Care Retirement Communities

3.  A heart healthy diet is important. This means first and foremost, plenty of vegetables, especially the dark and leafy green variety. Fibrous fruits, low fat dairy, lean meats, plenty of fish and whole grains are exceptionally healthy. Natural foods are optimal - nothing processed is usually healthy. Raw vegetables make for great snacks and remember the "no white" rule. This rule states that most foods made with white flour as opposed to whole wheat should be shunned. White bread and pasta have a high calorie and high carbohydrate count. There are plenty of whole grain substitutes that offer a healthier version.

4.  Exercise is important. If you live a rather sedentary life, you will need to introduce cardiovascular exercises gradually. Walking is perhaps the easiest way to get started. As your stamina increases, weight and strength training can be beneficial as well. When possible, take the stairs or park your car far from a store entrance. Take up gardening. Anything that gets your heart pumping and your body losing fat is important. This means sex too!

5.  Smoking is a big no-no for adults who have high blood pressure or pre-hypertension. Smoking not only robs your blood of essential oxygen, it causes cancer and constricts your blood vessels as well.

6.  A few alcoholic drinks like red wine can be good for your. However, excessive consumption is not. Men should have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day while women should only have one. Too much alcohol can enlarge your liver or damage your kidneys. This in turn can affect blood pressure.

The best defense is a good offense. Therefore, you should really take care of your body using the steps above when you are young. However, it is never too late to adopt new, healthier habits. You can keep from getting high blood pressure if you are still diagnosed in the pre-hypertension stages. You can also effectively lower your blood pressure and keep it at a healthy level once you adopt some better lifestyle choices.

Living a Healthy Retirement

07/22/2008
Retire Smart: Health-care costs on record pace (The Columbus Dispatch)
A couple retiring today at 65 could need $295,000 in savings just to cover premiums for health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses in retirement.

Retire Smart: Health-care costs on record pace (The Columbus Dispatch)

07/23/2008
Top 10 Tips for Living in Retirement (Westerly Sun)
Financial advisor Robert Henderson of Edward Jones in Mystic offers his 10 tips for living well in retirement.

Top 10 Tips for Living in Retirement (Westerly Sun)

07/23/2008
California's Farmers and Ranchers Hit Hard by Health Care Costs (Centre Daily Times)
A new report, issued by The Access Project and commissioned by The California Endowment, that surveyed more than 1,700 California family farmers and ranchers finds that approximately one in three must purchase health coverage through the costly individual market because they have no access to lower-cost group coverage. Furthermore, these family farmers and ranchers who purchased health coverage ...

California's Farmers and Ranchers Hit Hard by Health Care Costs (Centre Daily Times)

07/22/2008
Top 5 healthiest hometowns for retirement (MSNBC)
The place you choose to live during retirement could have a big impact on your health and longevity. AARP The Magazine lists five great cities that could make all the difference during the golden years.

Top 5 healthiest hometowns for retirement (MSNBC)

07/22/2008
Unwise Spending Can Sandbag Retirement Security (Carteret County News-Times)
(ARA) - When it comes to financial health in retirement, how much you set aside for your senior years is only half the story. Equally important is how you invest and spend what you've saved, and a recent survey indicates more than 50 percent of retirees aren't spending wisely.

Unwise Spending Can Sandbag Retirement Security (Carteret County News-Times)

07/22/2008
Unwise Spending Can Sandbag Retirement Security (Carteret County News-Times)
(ARA) - When it comes to financial health in retirement, how much you set aside for your senior years is only half the story. Equally important is how you invest and spend what you've saved, and a recent survey indicates more than 50 percent of retirees aren't spending wisely.

Unwise Spending Can Sandbag Retirement Security (Carteret County News-Times)

07/22/2008
Retire Smart: Health-care costs on record pace (The Columbus Dispatch)
A couple retiring today at 65 could need $295,000 in savings just to cover premiums for health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses in retirement.

Retire Smart: Health-care costs on record pace (The Columbus Dispatch)

07/23/2008
Top 10 Tips for Living in Retirement (Westerly Sun)
Financial advisor Robert Henderson of Edward Jones in Mystic offers his 10 tips for living well in retirement.

Top 10 Tips for Living in Retirement (Westerly Sun)