Does sodium affect hypertension in a 55-year-old woman?

Hello.

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

To control blood pressure, I would suggest you consider the following measures:

1. Avoid smoking and other addictive substances.
2. Reduce salt intake in your diet.
3. Cut down on fatty foods, junk foods, and saturated fats.
4. Minimize stress and anxiety through relaxation techniques.
5. Engage in regular moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking for 30 minutes.
6. Ensure proper sleep, aiming for at least eight hours per 24-hour period, including a minimum of six hours of uninterrupted sleep at night.
7. If overweight, strive to lose weight, even if within the normal range.
8. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
9. Incorporate deep breathing exercises and meditation into your daily routine.

When measuring blood pressure, I suggest you do the following:

1. Ensure you are completely relaxed.
2. Sit quietly in a room for five minutes without speaking to anyone.
3. Empty your bladder and bowels before checking blood pressure.
4. Avoid consuming tea or coffee 30 minutes before checking blood pressure.
5. Sit on a chair with feet on the ground, back supported, and hands resting on a table.
6. Position the cuff at the level of the heart.
7. Take multiple readings: Check blood pressure, wait five minutes, then repeat.
8. Repeat the process on the other arm.
9. Remain relaxed and quiet throughout the procedure. The arm with higher readings indicates your blood pressure.
10. Take at least two or more readings, and calculate the average for your actual blood pressure.

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and renal failure. I would suggest you consume a low-sodium diet, with a maximum of 2300 mg of sodium per day, equivalent to about 5 g of salt per day, or 1 teaspoon. Ensure adequate potassium intake, aiming for at least 5 g per day. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. Consider having a lipid profile and HbA1c levels done to assess the risk of future cardiovascular disease. These steps can help in managing and controlling blood pressure effectively.

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.