High blood pressure cures can be useful for people suffering from this dangerous condition. High blood pressure or hypertension is usually diagnosed when the blood pressure is consistently 140/90 or more (including being over one of those measurements but not the other).
Normal pressure is defined as between 90/60 and 120/80. Between 120/80 and 140/90 there is a gray area where you have a slightly increased risk of the complications associated with hypertension (including stroke, heart attack and kidney failure) but not so much that hypertension would be diagnosed.
If you are in this band you should have your blood pressure checked regularly and take steps to lower it.
High Blood Pressure Cures
There are many things that you can do to help control your high blood pressure. The best is to combine them all.
High Blood Pressure Cures – Reduce Weight
There is a strong link between obesity and hypertension. If you are over your doctor will already have suggested that you try to lose some . However, it is best to lose slowly and you probably want to deal with your hypertension fast. So it is good news that there are other high blood pressure remedies that you can try too.
High Blood Pressure Cures – Reduce Stress
Stress is well known to lead to high blood pressure. There are many stress busting techniques that you can learn but one of the best for lowering the blood pressure consistently is meditation. A few minutes of deeply relaxing meditation morning and evening can have a big effect on your stress levels throughout the day.
You can learn meditation with a local class or on your own from a CD. Most Buddhist groups teach meditation but it is not only a Buddhist practice. Many yoga teachers include meditation in their classes or you may find relaxation classes which will be based around meditation.
High Blood Pressure Cures – Avoid Salt
Salt can cause or contribute to high blood pressure when the levels of salt in the diet are too high for the kidneys to process quickly. How much difference salt makes to blood pressure depends on the individual and how efficiently their kidneys deal with salt.
Some people are salt sensitive and even a diet that is moderate in salt will contribute to hypertension. But most of us eat high levels of salt and a reduction will help almost anybody who has high blood pressure.
This does not necessarily mean you have to stop using salt completely. A pinch of salt in a pan of vegetables will not give you much sodium. However, you should not add salt at the table or eat foods that are high in salt – including most packaged foods.
So throw out the TV dinners and start cooking from fresh. A diet based around fresh vegetables, fruits and grains with some beans and low fat dairy products will be best for your hypertension. Check the sodium content on any frozen, canned or packaged foods. Cut down on meat, fats and sugar as well as salt.
If your diet has not included many fruits and vegetables until now, it may also help to increase your potassium consumption to balance out some of the sodium. High potassium foods include bananas, cantaloupe, spinach and yogurt.
High Blood Pressure Cures – Other Substances To Avoid
Alcohol can make hypertension worse. Subject to what your doctor says about your individual condition, you can probably have the occasional alcoholic drink but you should avoid drinking a lot at one time or drinking regularly. Some people find it easier to quit completely.
Licorice raises the blood pressure so you should always avoid liquorice if you suffer from hypertension. This may sound easy but licorice can be found as an ingredient where you might not expect it. It is often used in medications, e.g. for coughs, sore throats and peptic ulcers, so always check labels.
You should also avoid non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin and Ibuprofen.
Consult with your doctor to have your blood pressure checked and ask about high blood pressure cures for your individual case.
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