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"Ahem, I have to tell you that I haven't eaten any meat since I was diagnosed with high blood pressure three years ago!" Ms. Liu said to her friend Li Hong, who was sitting next to her, on a park bench.
Liu Mei, a 59-year-old accountant, has dealt with countless accounts and financial statements throughout her career, but when she was diagnosed with high blood pressure, her lifestyle also required a "financial audit."
The doctor's advice is clear: reduce your intake of salt and oil, especially animal fats. From that day on, Liu Mei decided to become a strict vegetarian.
"You know, high blood pressure is a chronic disease that needs to be managed for a long time," Ms. Liu said, shaking her head slightly, as if that would add weight to her words. She goes on to tell that her diet has changed, from braised pork and chicken wings on her table to a variety of vegetables and soy products.
The change was not an easy task for her, but she persevered. "I walk every day, get enough sleep, and pay special attention to what I eat. She explains that these habits are not changed overnight, but are implemented gradually.
Her daily diet is rich in whole grains, nuts and seeds, which are all good ingredients to lower blood pressure. Three years have passed in the blink of an eye. Liu Mei's blood pressure has changed significantly. It's not just because she doesn't eat meat, but also because her overall lifestyle has been adjusted.
She began to focus more on holistic health management, not just on diet. One day, she went to the hospital for a follow-up check-up, and the doctor was very pleased with her changes.
The doctor, an experienced cardiologist, told Liu Mei that while dietary changes are the foundation, overall lifestyle changes are the key. "We see a lot of patients who, despite changing their diet, often struggle to control their blood pressure in the ideal range if they are not accompanied by appropriate physical activity and psychological adjustments. ”
The doctor explained that he had encountered many cases similar to Liu Mei, and one of the patients was also a strict vegetarian, but due to high work pressure and lack of sleep, his blood pressure was never effectively controlled.
Liu Mei very much agrees with the doctor's point of view. Over the past three years, she has not only changed her diet, but also insisted on at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise such as brisk walking or yoga every day. This all-round lifestyle adjustment has allowed her blood pressure to stabilize at a healthy level.
In her life, she also began to practice a method called "psychological stress reduction". Every night, Mei takes time for meditation and deep breathing exercises, which help her manage stress and improve her mental health.
She found that these simple mental relaxation techniques not only improved her blood pressure, but also improved her quality of life. Her friend Li Hong listened attentively and asked, "Do you think that not eating meat will help you improve your blood pressure the most, or is it another lifestyle change?"
Liu Mei smiled and replied, "Not eating meat has helped me reduce my intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, which is good for cardiovascular." However, without exercise and mental adjustment, it is difficult to achieve such an effect with diet alone. ”
Li Hong mentioned a relative of hers who also has high blood pressure, and although she has tried various dietary changes, her blood pressure has not dropped significantly. Liu Mei advises her friends not only to pay attention to their diet, but also to consider their lifestyle as a whole, such as increasing the amount of exercise, improving sleep quality, and managing stress reasonably.
She explains that these factors combine to form an effective blood pressure management network.
"Actually, everyone's situation is unique," Liu added, "and some people may be particularly sensitive to certain foods, such as caffeine or too much salt, which can be hidden factors that can cause blood pressure to rise." So, I advise everyone to try to find out what best suits their lifestyle. ”
As the afterglow of the setting sun faded, the two friends got up and left the park. At the time of separation, Li Hong suddenly asked a question: "Do you think that if you start from now on, no matter how old you are, it will be too late to change your diet and living habits?"
Improving diet and increasing physical activity can significantly improve quality of life and reduce many health risks, regardless of age. Such lifestyle changes are not only good for blood pressure, but also improve overall physical and mental health, increase vitality, and improve well-being in life.
What do you think about high blood pressure?