Tips to lower blood pressure

How do you lower your blood pressure?
(20 Jun 2007)

When the heart pumps blood into the arteries, it creates a pressure within the arteries. This is called the blood pressure. We need a specific level of blood pressure to keep the blood circulating in the body.

But the high levels of physical and mental stress that we face these days increases the adrenaline in the blood stream, shooting the blood pressure upwards. When the blood pressure becomes high and the small blood vessels are narrowed, it puts strain on the heart to pump blood through the blood vessels. This is when a person suffers from high blood pressure, also called hypertension or the silent killer. A patient of high blood pressure suffers from symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, pain in the region of the heart, fatigue, and breathlessness. Stressful life is not the only culprit of hypertension. Obesity, heredity, age, excessive smoking and drinking, too much intake of salt, and sedentary lifestyle are all just as responsible for high blood pressure.

If you want to prevent high blood pressure, a good lifestyle is the answer. Get adequate exercise, be stress free, and eat healthy! Even if someone does suffer from high blood pressure, there are many natural ways to lower the BP. Firstly; the intake of salt should be as minimal as possible. Garlic is one product that is beneficial in bringing the pressure down. If the patient chews on two to three cloves of garlic everyday, it will harden arteries, lower the blood cholesterol and expel gases. To get immediate relief from high blood pressure, squeeze half a lemon in a glass of water and consume every two to three hours. Vitamin P is beneficial in lowering the blood pressure. Other than lemon, Vitamin P can be found in grapefruit as well. Papaya and watermelon also help in lowering blood pressure. Eat papaya every morning on an empty stomach for about a month to see positive results. The dried seeds of watermelon can be roasted and taken in liberal quantities everyday. The substance in the seeds has desirable effects on the pressure.

Rice and potato are also known to be good for lowering blood pressure. Potatoes boiled with their skin, especially, absorb minimal salt. Potatoes have rich content of potassium as well, a nutrient that is helpful in lowering blood pressure. Vegetable juices like carrot and spinach can be taken in combination or separately to treat high blood pressure. Mix 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice and take the decoction daily.

answered by G M on 4 Mar 2010, 5:24:57

By making some changes in daily life we can control and prevent high blood pressure.

Avoid obesity

Reduce calories by choosing low fat foods and eat smaller portions of food at a time.

Regular exercise even 30 minute aerobic exercise such as walking, running, cycling, swimming helps to manage body weight and keeps blood pressure normal.

Prefer to have white meat like fish, chicken instead of red meat.

Try to take milk, curd of low fat option.

Increase dietary fiber. Try to get 20-35 grams of fiber daily

Reduce the sodium (salt intake) in daily diet

Always try to have fresh vegetables and fruit in daily diet.

Avoid adding salt at the table in any dish.

Avoid pickles and pappad as they contain lot of salt in it.

Increase foods that are high in potassium

As potassium may be helpful managing high blood pressure.

Eat at least 4-5 servings a day of whole fresh fruit and 4-5 servings a day of vegetables to provide potassium to our body.

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as they are harmful to body and may elevate blood pressure.

Dr.Tabassum Patel (Homoeopath)

http://www.moinhealthcare.com/

answered by Dr on 25 Jun 2007, 6:52:36

Tips to lower blood pressure

How do you lower your blood pressure? (20 Jun 2007)

How do you lower your blood pressure?
(20 Jun 2007)