Over time, high blood pressure (a.k.a. hypertension) can cause serious damage to your body. Long-term risks include kidney problems, dementia, heart failure, and even heart attack or stroke. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep your blood pressure levels healthy. That includes making several changes to your lifestyle. There are many common bad habits you may be doing every morning that could be leading to higher blood pressure and taking a toll on your health.
To discover a couple of the worst, blood pressure-spiking morning habits that you should kick immediately for a healthier body, we spoke to Dr. Ramit Singh Sambyal, MD. He told us that having too much caffeine and skipping breakfast are two major mistakes to avoid. Read on to learn more.
1. Too much caffeine
Sorry, coffee lovers! We get it: there's nothing like a hot cup of joe in the morning. In fact, drinking coffee can even be good for you, with health benefits that include weight loss. However, Dr. Sambyal warns consuming too much caffeine in the morning could lead to unhealthily high blood pressure.
He says you should especially be careful of your caffeine consumption if you're over 60. "Consuming caffeine in the morning may seem like a good way to get your day started, but for people over 60 it can be dangerous," he tells us. "Caffeine is known to raise blood pressure levels and over time it can cause permanent damage to your cardiovascular system. I recommend avoiding any caffeinated beverages first thing in the morning and instead opt for non-caffeinated options such as warm lemon water or herbal tea. These drinks are much lower in caffeine and don't come with the same risk of elevated blood pressure." Got it!
2. Skipping breakfast
Whether you're busy, find it hard to work up an appetite in the morning, or are trying to cut back on calories, there are many reasons you might find yourself skipping breakfast. However, you know what they say: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It's crucial to your health that you eat something in the morning for several reasons. As it turns out, Dr. Sambyal says it can help you maintain healthy blood pressure. "Not eating a proper, balanced meal in the morning can cause your body to go into starvation mode which will raise your blood pressure levels significantly," he says.
However, what you eat is also crucial. "Eating something high in sugar can also be just as bad as not eating anything at all because it could still trigger a rapid rise in blood pressure," Dr. Sambyal warns. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy breakfast options to choose from. He recommends something with both protein and complex carbs, like health benefit-packed Greek yogurt. "This combination will give you sustained energy throughout the day while keeping your blood pressure levels stable," he concludes.
The bottom line
It's important to keep a close eye on your blood pressure and make an effort to keep your levels healthy, especially as you age. One of the best ways to do that is by making changes to your routine. When you ensure you don't consume too much caffeine and that you fit a healthy breakfast into your morning, you'll be on track to a healthier heart.
READ MORE: The Scary Sign You May Be Suffering From High Blood Pressure, According To Doctors - SHEfinds
