How to Reduce High Blood Pressure After Surgery

If you've just had cardiovascular surgery, it's imperative that you keep your blood pressure in check. If blood pressure becomes too elevated, post-surgical complications such as an aneurism or rupture may occur. If you suffer from regular hypertension, you're already aware that there are several techniques for lowering and controlling blood pressure. The standard, healthy blood pressure is 120 over 80, the first number representing the systolic pressure of your circulatory system and the second representing the diastolic.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat right. A proper diet is essential in maintaining a healthy blood pressure. Avoid fatty foods such as red meat and sweets. Instead, fill your diet with vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

• 2

  Take medication. A variety of medical options is available for lowering and controlling blood pressure, including beta-blockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers. Beta-blockers work by lowering your heart rate; diuretics eliminate excess fluid and sodium from the body; calcium channel blockers, similar to beta-blockers, relieve stress on the heart. Talk to your doctor about which medication is right for you.

• 3

  Exercise. Regular, light exercise is key to lowering your blood pressure. Simply jogging or swimming a few times a week, when paired with proper diet, may keep your blood pressure within a healthy range.