10 Key Recommendations for Hypertension Patients

10 Important Recommendations for Hypertensive Patients

Dr. Ulaankhuu Batgerel, Cardiologist at Acıbadem Kadıköy Hospital, explained 10 rules to be observed in hot weather and provided important warnings and recommendations.

Drink at least 8 glasses of water

To avoid being negatively affected by excessive heat, our bodies begin to perspire. The increase in fluid loss in the body, combined with the effects of diuretic medications used to regulate blood pressure, can lead to serious hypotension in hypertensive patients. As a result, important problems such as fainting and kidney dysfunction can develop. For your health, never neglect to drink a minimum of 8 glasses (2 liters) of water.

Quit smoking

Smoking reduces the efficiency of antioxidants needed by the body and impairs the elasticity of blood vessels. Alcohol consumed in small quantities has a vasodilatory effect that lowers blood pressure. However, if alcohol consumption increases in amount and frequency and is combined with smoking, it raises blood pressure.

Warning! These hours are high risk

During summer months, avoid going outside between 10.00 – 15.00 hours when the sun's rays are most directly hitting the earth. If you remain in the sun during these hours, the constrictive effect of heat on blood vessels will lower your blood pressure and fluid loss due to perspiration will increase.

Avoid tea and coffee

Especially during summer months, you should avoid consuming tea and coffee containing caffeine as much as possible due to their diuretic effects. You can drink 1-2 cups of tea and 1 cup of coffee per day.

Exercise in the evening

Exercise is vital for heart and cardiovascular health. Cardiologist Dr. Ulaankhuu Batgerel emphasized that you need to perform exercise regularly, at the right time and in adequate amounts throughout your lifetime, stating: "Especially during the summer season, these rules are very important. Because when exercising in hot weather, fluid loss resulting from perspiration combined with the diuretic effect of hypertension medications leads to inevitable hypotension. For this reason, you should avoid exercising between 10:00-15:00 hours when the sun is most direct, and you should take care to exercise in the evening and 2 hours after meals."

Be careful with cold/hot showers

Cold water constricts and narrows blood vessels, which results in a slight increase in blood pressure values. If your blood pressure is under control and you are taking your medication regularly, there is no problem with showering in cold water. However, if you have uncontrolled blood pressure, cold showers are not recommended as they will further elevate your blood pressure values. Additionally, if you are taking medication and exercising intensely, your fluid loss will be greater. If you do not consume enough fluids and shower in hot water, your blood pressure values may drop excessively.

Prefer moisture-absorbing clothing

If you must go outside, choose breathable, cotton and light-colored clothing to compensate for fluid loss from perspiration. Since the feet are one of the areas that perspire most, choosing summer-appropriate and breathable footwear will be the right decision. Do not neglect to protect your head with a sun hat. Use creams with sun protection factor suitable for your skin.

Fiber and pulp-rich foods are very important

Summer months are also vacation months, so hypertensive patients' eating patterns can be disrupted, and consumption of processed and shelf-life-extended (salted) foods increases. However, every product with a long shelf life and packaged contains excessive amounts of salt. This situation leads to water and sodium retention in the body, which in turn causes an increase in blood pressure. During summer months, consuming easily digestible fiber and pulp-rich foods such as wheat and oat bran, fruits (fresh, dried, boiled, cooked) and leafy green vegetables, and preferring plant-based proteins over animal proteins will benefit both blood pressure control and intestinal health.

Do not neglect doctor visits

During summer months, medical check-ups often get disrupted due to prolonged vacations. As a result, especially in elderly patients taking multiple medications and with multiple chronic diseases, medication side effects can develop and serious decreases or increases in blood salt values can occur. Therefore, if you are taking multiple medications including diuretics and have kidney problems related to blood pressure or have another chronic disease, you should visit your physician at least once a month.

Bring your medications with you

When embarking on long journeys or during your vacations, do not forget to bring your medications and blood pressure monitor with you.