If you have recently had surgery, your doctor may advise you to maintain your health by lowering your blood pressure. You can do this by changing your diet and lifestyle. After undergoing surgery, it is very important to consult a doctor before making any changes to your daily routine. The doctor will suggest any activity that suits your body condition.
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Method 1 of 3: Changing Your Diet If You Can't Be Physically Active
Step 1. Consume less sodium
Sodium is in salt, so cut back on salt to reduce your sodium intake. Eating salty food is part of the taste. Some people who are used to savoring food using a lot of salt can consume up to 3,500 mg of sodium (salt) a day. If you have high blood pressure and need to lower your blood pressure after surgery, your doctor may advise you to drastically reduce your salt intake. This means you should consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day. Try some of the following:
- Research the snacks you eat. Instead of eating salty snacks like chips, nuts, or pretzels (salty cookies), replace them with apples, carrots, bananas, or green peppers.
- Buy canned foods that are not salt-preserved or are low in sodium on the packaging.
- Reduce the amount of salt you use in cooking food, or stop using salt altogether. Instead, season your dishes with other appropriate spices, such as cinnamon, parsley, paprika, and oregano. Remove the salt container from the table so you don't add it to your cooking at a later date.
Step 2. Energize your body so it can heal by eating whole grains
Whole grains contain more nutrients, more fiber, and are more filling than refined white flour. Most of the calories you consume should come from whole grains and other complex carbohydrates. Try to eat 6 servings a day. One serving means half a cup of rice or one slice of bread. Increase your intake of whole grains by:
- Eat grits or oatmeal for breakfast. Complete with some fresh fruit or raisins for sweetness.
- Check the packaging of the bread to see if the ingredients are whole grains.
- Buy pasta and flour made from whole grains, not white flour.
Step 3. Focus your diet on vegetables and fruits
The recommended amount of vegetables and fruits in a day is 4 to 5 servings. One serving is half a cup. Vegetables and fruits contain several minerals such as magnesium and potassium which are useful for controlling blood pressure. Increase the amount of vegetables and fruits you consume by:
- Start the meal with a salad. By eating a salad before eating, you can reduce hunger when you feel very hungry. Don't put off eating the salad at the last minute so you can feel full and don't overeat afterward. Make an interesting salad by adding different vegetables and fruits. Use salted nuts, cheese, and salad dressing in moderation as these ingredients are usually high in salt. Instead of salad dressing, use vinegar and oil as they naturally contain less sodium.
- Always provide vegetables and fruits if you want a snack at any time. Take a sliced carrot, green bell pepper, or an apple with you when you go to school or work.
Step 4. Reduce fat intake
Foods that are high in fat can clog arteries and increase blood pressure. However, there are many things you can do to reduce your fat intake without losing the delicious taste, and still get the nutrients you need so you can recover after surgery.
- Some dairy products, such as cheese and milk, are high in vitamin D and calcium, but are often high in fat and salt. Choose low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Also choose cheese that does not contain a lot of salt.
- Eat lean poultry and fish to replace red meat. If there is fat around the edges of the meat you purchased, slice it and remove the fat. Do not consume more than 170 grams of meat in a day. Make your meat healthier by grilling or grilling it instead of frying it.
- Reduce the amount of extra fat you consume. This added fat can be in the form of mayonnaise and butter on sandwiches, cooked using heavy cream, or shortening in solid forms, such as Crisco or butter. One serving is one tablespoon. Try to eat no more than three servings a day.
Step 5. Limit the amount of sugar consumed
Eating refined sugar makes you more likely to eat more because sugar doesn't have the nutrients you need to feel full. Don't eat more than five sweets a week.
Artificial sweeteners like NutraSweet, Splenda, and Equal can help satisfy your cravings, but try replacing sugary snacks with healthy foods like vegetables and fruit
Method 2 of 3: Living a Healthy Lifestyle after Surgery
Step 1. Quit smoking
Smoking and/or chewing tobacco can make arteries narrower and harder, so blood pressure will rise. If you live with a smoker, ask them out if they want to smoke so you don't get exposed to secondhand smoke. This is especially important when you are recovering from surgery. If you want to quit smoking, try the following:
- Consult with your doctor to make a treatment plan that is right for you.
- Get social support from a smoking hotline, support group, or counselor.
- Try medication or nicotine replacement therapy.
Step 2. Don't drink alcohol
If you have recently had surgery, you will most likely have to take medication to restore your health and help your recovery. Alcohol can interact with a variety of drugs.
- In addition, if your doctor advises you to lose weight, you will find it difficult to lose weight because alcoholic beverages contain lots of calories.
- If you want to stop drinking, talk to your doctor about treatment and support to help you. Your doctor may advise you on treatment, join a support group, and seek counseling.
Step 3. Manage stress effectively
The recovery period from surgery can be stressful, both emotionally and physically. You can use some relaxation techniques that are widely used, even if you have limited physical mobility. Some of these relaxation techniques include:
- Meditation
- Music or art therapy
- Breathe deeply
- Visualizing calming images
- Tenses and relaxes every muscle group in the body progressively
Step 4. Do the exercises if permitted by the doctor
Exercise is a great way to lose weight and reduce stress. However, if you are recovering from surgery, you should not do activities that are too strenuous.
- Walking is a safe exercise after you have had any surgery, so talk to your doctor about whether this activity is suitable for you who have just had surgery, and when you can start doing it.
- Consult with your doctor and physical therapist to design an exercise program that is safe for you. Make sure you attend all follow-up appointments with your doctor and physical therapist so they can check whether the exercise is beneficial for you or not.
Method 3 of 3: Consult a Doctor
Step 1. Call your doctor if you suspect you have high blood pressure
Most people with high blood pressure don't know they have it, because the condition often has no symptoms. However, there are some symptoms that you can observe:
- Hard to breathe
- Headache
- Bleeding from the nose
- Blurred or ghosted vision
Step 2. Control blood pressure using medication if your doctor deems it necessary
Your doctor may ask you to take medication while you are recovering from surgery. Because this can interact with other medications, it's a good idea to discuss all medications you take with your doctor. This includes over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and supplements. Your doctor may prescribe:
- ACE inhibitors. The way this drug works is by relaxing the blood vessels. In particular, this drug can interact with a variety of medications, so make sure you've spoken to your doctor about everything you're taking.
- Calcium channel blocker. This medicine widens the arteries and can lower the heart rate. Be careful, you should not drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
- diuretic. This medicine makes you urinate more often and reduces salt levels in the body.
- Beta-blockers. This medicine makes the heart beat softer and slower.
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about any other medications you are taking
Talk to your doctor if you are afraid that other medications you are taking or want to take after surgery are making your blood pressure worse. Your doctor must know everything you are taking so that he can prescribe the best medication for you. Do not stop using the drug without consulting your doctor first. Some drugs that can increase blood pressure include:
- Painkillers without a doctor's prescription. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg Ibuprofen and the like). Consult your doctor before taking this medication for pain relief while you are recovering.
- Certain birth control pills
- Various cold medicines and decongestants, especially those containing pseudoephedrine.
