Learning that your spouse has high blood pressure can be alarming.
As a supportive partner, you will want to do everything you can in order to help them gain and maintain control of their high blood pressure.
However, most people do not know where to start.
One of the most dangerous habits, especially for a person with high blood pressure, is smoking.
One of the best things a person with high blood pressure can do is quit smoking.
However this is easier said than done.
You can be a great help to your spouse by supporting them in their efforts to kick the habit.
If you smoke, it is an excellent idea for you to quit smoking as a show of support.
Remember, second hand smoke can be just as damaging as smoking an actual cigarette.
A smoke-free home is the first step in the right direction.
Your spouse will also have to incorporate exercise into the daily routine in order to lower their blood pressure.
Again, your spouse will need your support.
Make a plan to exercise with your spouse.
This does not mean that you have to hover over your spouse.
Join a gym together and make a plan to go at the same time.
If your spouse decides to use the pool, take an exercise class or use the circuit.
Both of you will benefit by getting more exercise and will feel good about accomplishing something together.
Your spouse may also need to lose weight as part of a plan to lower high blood pressure.
If you have ever been on a diet, you know how difficult this can be.
You can be a great support by following the same dietary restrictions as your partner.
This means limiting the amount of junk food in the house and following the DASH diet.
This means that you will have to increase the amount of fiber, fruits, and vegetables in your diet and eliminate bad fats from your daily diet.
You may even want to visit a nutritionist with your spouse in order to support them in lowering their blood pressure.
You can also support your spouse by helping them reduce the amount of stress they experience on a daily basis.
This may mean that you will have to help your spouse out more than you have in the past.
If you know that they have a particularly stressful week at work, you could take on a few of their regular household tasks in order to lighten their load.
Or, you may even need to encourage them to find hobbies that will help them relieve stress.
In fact, many people report that just knowing that they have their spouse's unwavering support lowers their stress levels significantly.
You are your spouse's best support system.
By taking these few steps in order to assist your spouse in lowering their high blood pressure, you are helping your spouse live a longer, happier, and healthier life.