Natural Cures For High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the commonest illnesses today, and according to some studies, almost every third adult in the United States suffers from high blood pressure. Unfortunately, high blood pressure, or hypertension isn’t a disease that you suddenly contract one fine day, like an infection or a cold. It’s a disease that develops over years of unhealthy living and unnatural stresses. Because of our lifestyles today, more and more people are prone to this dangerous condition.
A person can have high blood pressure for many years before they experience any symptoms. It’s a good idea to get your blood pressure checked regularly. If your systolic/diastolic pressure is 140/90, then you may be suffering from hypertension. As you get older, the risks from hypertension go up, and you need to take more care of yourself.
Unfortunately, there isn’t any medicine that can immediately bring your blood pressure back to normal. Your doctor may prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure, but unless you make significant changes in your lifestyle, medication is only a temporary solution. Similarly, natural remedies will help to bring your blood pressure down, but it’s only a healthy lifestyle that will keep it down in the long run. If you find yourself with high blood pressure, consider it as a wakeup call to change your lifestyle: if left untreated, you run the risk of heart attack, brain hemorrhage, kidney failure, stroke, and even loss of vision.
Natural Cures For High Blood Pressure:
Exercise: Excess weight is the number one cause of hypertension. Fat deposits put pressure on the arteries, making the heart pump harder to get the blood circulating. You need to exercise at least four to five times in a week, and your exercise must include strength training, aerobic training, and flexibility training. For the first two, a gym will provide you with weights as well as aerobic classes. For flexibility, it’s a good idea to take up yoga, which will also keep your internal organs healthy.
Stop Smoking and Drinking: Alcohol and cigarettes encourage the development of hypertension. Try to stop smoking immediately, and cut down your alcohol consumption to just a few glasses a week.
Cut Stress Levels: Stress is one of the biggest causes of hypertension. In this day and age, it is difficult to get rid of stress, but there are ways to cope with it better. You can take up meditation, which will help you relax your mind and deal with it better. It’s difficult to say no when your boss asks you to stay late, but keep in mind that you have a responsibility to yourself, and spending some quality time with your family will make you feel better and stay healthier.
Garlic: It may smell bad, but it is great for blood pressure. Garlic is used liberally in many traditional home remedies, and it thins the blood, making it easier for the heart to pump. Fish oil and folic acid. Both these substances have been shown to modestly decrease high blood pressure.
Diet: After exercise, diet may be the most effective factor in the treatment of high blood pressure. Include servings of fresh fruit and vegetables in every meal. You diet should also contain whole grains, lentils and low-fat dairy products. Cut down on red meat and other high-cholesterol food, and it is imperative that you stay away from junk food.
