How to Cut Down on Drugs for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Type 2 Diabetes
How to Cut Down on Drugs for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Type 2 Diabetes
What if you could cut back on the prescription drugs you take for blood pressure, cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes? It may be possible, with your doctor's support.
The trick is to make lifestyle changes that have a big impact on your health. These seven steps will help.
1. Make better eating convenient.
Heart-healthy eating boils down to a few simple steps:
It sounds so simple, right? But first, you need to get those items in your pantry, fridge, car, workplace, and anywhere else you spend a lot of time.
What's in there right now? Is it supporting your goals for how you want to eat? If not, it's time to rethink and restock.
2. Read when you shop.
Check the nutrition facts label on anything that comes in a bag, box, or can. Packaged foods can have a lot of sodium in them, and there are often lower-sodium options you could buy instead.
Making that shift, and reaching for the saltshaker less often, can make a big difference. Cutting back on sodium can start to improve your blood pressure quickly -- in about a month, says Houston cardiologist John Higgins.
3. Strengthen your most important muscle.
It's your heart. And the way you make it stronger is just like any other muscle: Make it work harder.
You do that by moving more. It can be a formal workout, or it can just be part of your day.
Maybe you take your dog on a hike, or take a dance break when you're doing your chores at home. Maybe you try an online yoga video, or dust off the bike in your garage.
Whatever you do, you're making your heart stronger, helping to lower your blood pressure, and starting to get your blood sugar level to where you want it to be.
Moving more can cut down on the amount of insulin you need, lower your insulin resistance, and cut down on the number of pills you take for your blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol and other blood fats, Higgins says.
Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes-Savvy Dining
23 Foods That Can Save Your Heart
The trick is to make lifestyle changes that have a big impact on your health. These seven steps will help.
1. Make better eating convenient.
Heart-healthy eating boils down to a few simple steps:
- Cut back on saturated fats.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Stay away from refined sugars.
- Eat more nuts, fiber, and fish, which are sources of healthy fats.
It sounds so simple, right? But first, you need to get those items in your pantry, fridge, car, workplace, and anywhere else you spend a lot of time.
What's in there right now? Is it supporting your goals for how you want to eat? If not, it's time to rethink and restock.
2. Read when you shop.
Check the nutrition facts label on anything that comes in a bag, box, or can. Packaged foods can have a lot of sodium in them, and there are often lower-sodium options you could buy instead.
Making that shift, and reaching for the saltshaker less often, can make a big difference. Cutting back on sodium can start to improve your blood pressure quickly -- in about a month, says Houston cardiologist John Higgins.
3. Strengthen your most important muscle.
It's your heart. And the way you make it stronger is just like any other muscle: Make it work harder.
You do that by moving more. It can be a formal workout, or it can just be part of your day.
Maybe you take your dog on a hike, or take a dance break when you're doing your chores at home. Maybe you try an online yoga video, or dust off the bike in your garage.
Whatever you do, you're making your heart stronger, helping to lower your blood pressure, and starting to get your blood sugar level to where you want it to be.
Moving more can cut down on the amount of insulin you need, lower your insulin resistance, and cut down on the number of pills you take for your blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol and other blood fats, Higgins says.
Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes-Savvy Dining
23 Foods That Can Save Your Heart
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