If you have just had surgery, your doctor may advise you to improve your health condition by lowering your blood pressure. dietary and lifestyle changes can help you with this. After surgery it is extremely important to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your daily routine; he is able to tell you what your body can handle.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making Changes in Nutrition When You Can't Be Physically Active
Step 1. Reduce the amount of sodium
This is basically the salt: therefore by decreasing the amount of salt, you reduce the sodium intake. Eating salty foods is an acquired habit to improve their taste; some people who are used to enriching their dishes with a lot of salt can consume up to 3500 mg per day. If you have high blood pressure and need to keep it low following surgery, your doctor will most likely advise you to reduce your sodium intake considerably. This means you should be eating 2300 mg or less per day. Try the following tips:
- Carefully review the snacks you eat. Instead of picking salty ones, like potato chips, pretzels, or salty nuts, choose an apple, banana, carrots, or green pepper.
- Among canned products, opt for those that are not preserved with salt or those that are labeled "low in sodium" on the package.
- Drastically reduce the amount of salt you add to dishes as you cook them or avoid using it at all. Instead, try seasoning dishes with other more appropriate types of spices, such as cinnamon, paprika, parsley, or oregano, for example. Remove the salt shaker from the table to remind yourself that you don't need to add any more salt.
Step 2. Help your body heal by eating whole grains
They contain more nutrients, fiber and satiate more than products made with refined flours. You should try to get the most calories from whole grains and other complex carbohydrates. Aim to consume 6-8 servings a day. One serving corresponds to 50 g of cooked rice or a slice of bread. You can assimilate whole foods:
- Eating oats or semolina for breakfast. Add some fresh fruit or raisins to make them sweeter;
- Checking the labels on the packages of the bread to verify if it is made with whole wheat flour;
- Buying wholemeal pasta and flour instead of white ones.
Step 3. Preferably opt for fruit and vegetables
The recommended daily amount of these foods is 4-5 servings per day. A portion of fruit corresponds to about 150 g, a portion of cooked vegetables to about 250 g, while a portion of salad about 50 g. Fruits and vegetables are rich in minerals, such as potassium and magnesium, which help keep blood pressure in check. Here's how you can increase your intake of these foods:
- Start the meal with a salad. By eating it at the beginning, you reduce the sense of hunger when it is at its maximum. You don't have to wait until after a meal to eat it, because by then you will already be full and won't be able to consume much of it. Enrich the flavor by adding different types of fruit and vegetables. Don't go overboard with salted nuts, cheese, and seasonings, as they are usually very high in salt. Season them with oil and vinegar instead of using ready-made sauces, as they are naturally low in sodium.
- Always have fruits and vegetables on hand for quick snacks. Take carrot sticks, slices of green peppers or an apple with you when you go to work or school.
Step 4. Reduce your fat intake
A high-fat diet helps clog arteries and increase blood pressure. However, there are many ways to lower the amount of fat and still maintain the nutrients needed to recover from surgery.
- Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, provide calcium and vitamin D, but are often high in fat and salt. Choose milk, yogurt and low-fat cheeses. Make sure the cheeses are also low in sodium.
- Eat lean poultry and fish instead of red meat. If the steak has some fat on the edge, cut it up. Do not eat more than 170g of meat per day. You can make it healthier by cooking it on the grill, oven, or roast, rather than frying it.
- Limit your consumption of extra fats, which include butter and mayonnaise on sandwiches, dishes cooked with cream, or solid toppings like butter or margarine. Don't eat more than three tablespoons a day, even better if less.
Step 5. Limit the amount of sugar
By consuming processed sugars, you are likely to overeat because you are not providing your body with the nutrients it needs to feel full. Try not to eat more than five sweets a week.
Artificial sweeteners can satisfy cravings, but you should try to replace these snacks with other healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables
Method 2 of 3: Establish a Healthier Lifestyle after Surgery
Step 1. Stop smoking
Smoking and / or chewing tobacco can harden and thin the arteries, causing blood pressure to rise. If you live with a smoker, you should ask him to smoke outside so that you don't expose yourself to secondhand smoke. This is especially important during convalescence. If you are the smoker and need help quitting, you can:
- Contact your doctor to choose an effective treatment for you;
- Contact an online support group, such as a helpline, support group, or addiction counselor;
- Try drugs or nicotine replacement therapies.
Step 2. Don't drink alcohol
If you have recently undergone surgery, you will certainly need to take medications to manage the situation and promote healing; alcohol can interact with many types of medicines.
- Also, if your doctor has advised you to lose weight, remember that alcoholic beverages are high in calories and may hinder your attempt to lose weight.
- If you need help stopping drinking alcohol, talk to your doctor about starting drug treatment and finding the right support. He will be able to recommend the best care, support groups and counseling service to help you.
Step 3. Manage stress effectively
Convalescence after surgery is a rather stressful time, both physically and emotionally. There are several relaxation techniques that you can use even when mobility is limited; among these you can consider:
- Meditation;
- Music or art therapy;
- Deep breathing;
- Viewing calming images;
- Progressive muscle relaxation of each muscle group in the body.
Step 4. Exercise, if authorized by your doctor
Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress and lose weight. However, when recovering from a surgical procedure, it is important not to exert more effort than the body can handle.
- Walking every day is a safe exercise to do after many types of surgeries, so ask your doctor if it is an appropriate activity for you and when you can start it.
- Talk to your doctor and physical therapist to set up a safe exercise program for your specific condition. Go to your doctor's and physiotherapist's check-ups on time to check your progress.
Method 3 of 3: See Your Doctor
Step 1. Contact your doctor if you are concerned your blood pressure is rising
Most people with hypertension are unaware that they suffer from this disorder, because they often have no symptoms. However, some signs may be:
- Shortness of breath;
- Headache;
- Epistaxis;
- Blurred or double vision.
Step 2. Monitor your blood pressure with medication if your doctor feels it is necessary
He may determine that this is an important cure for you to heal properly from surgery. As some medicines may interact with others you are taking, it is essential that you discuss this with your doctor; these could include over-the-counter medications, supplements and herbal remedies. Your doctor may prescribe you:
- ACE inhibitors. They help relax blood vessels; these drugs in particular can interact with many other medicines, so you must tell your doctor about any other products you are taking.
- The calcium channel blockers. They help dilate the arteries and lower the heart rate. Keep in mind that you cannot drink grapefruit juice during this treatment.
- Diuretics. These drugs lead to more frequent urination and lower sodium levels.
- The beta blockers. They help slow the heartbeat and make it gentler.
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about the other medicines you are taking
If you are concerned that the drug therapy you are on or that you will need to follow after surgery may increase your blood pressure, you should contact your doctor. You must inform him of whatever product you are taking, so that he can prescribe the best treatment for you. Don't stop taking your medications without first discussing it with him. Those that can raise blood pressure are:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers. Among them are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen and others). Consult your doctor before taking them to manage pain during recovery;
- Some birth control pills;
- Various decongestants and cold medications, especially those containing pseudoephedrine.
