Naturopathy Treatment For High Blood Pressure

Hypertension – The High And Low Of It

Keep calm and say no to hypertension

Hypertension which is commonly termed as high blood pressure is a lifestyle disease that is affecting millions of people across the world. What was earlier perceived to be a health issue that affected only the elderly is now detected even in children as well as teenagers.

According to experts, the main reason for the increase in the number of reported cases of hypertension is the wrong choice of diet and lack of physical activities. However, this is not to be taken lightly, given the serious repercussion it causes.

When is a Person said to have Hypertension?

This is definitely the first question that pops into your mind as soon as you hear the word “hypertension”. Well, the blood pressure refers to the exerted by the blood on the walls of the blood vessels. This pressure is generally defined by the amount of work done by the heart and the resistance offered by the blood vessel walls.

The normal blood pressure level of a human is 120/80mmHg. When this rises beyond 140/90mmHg, a person is diagnosed with hypertension.

The Factors

Here is a list of the possible factors that can cause hypertension.

Growing age is one of the main reasons of hypertension. Since the arteries get stiffer with age, the blood exerts more pressure on the walls of the blood vessels
Obesity and being overweight can cause increase in blood pressure
Excess salt intake in daily diet
Sedentary lifestyle i.e. lack of exercise can also be a cause for hypertension
Low potassium intake
Excessive use of alcohol and tobacco
High stress levels
Other health issues like chronic kidney problem, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol etc
Heredity

The Symptoms

Believe it or not, one the most dangerous thing about hypertension is that there are no pronounced symptoms for it. This is one of the reasons why health experts recommend regular checkup of blood pressure.

However, in cases when the blood pressure really shoots up, there are some symptoms like

Fatigue
Severe headache
Problems in vision
Breathing issue
Chest pain
Irregularity of heartbeat
A feeling of pounding in the ear, neck and chest

The Risks

Hypertension when left unchecked can be really serious. It can lead to issues like

Heart attack
Heart diseases
Stroke
Renal failure
Eye problems

The Treatment

When the blood pressure levels are high and might be threatening for your well being, the doctor is likely to prescribe a medicine to regulate it. However, if the BP level is well within the controllable range, the doctor would recommend a few lifestyle changes. These would include

Losing excess weight
Engaging in physical activities every day
Reducing stress
Getting ample rest
Reducing the intake of salt
Avoiding processed food items
Eating a healthy and balanced diet
Limiting the amount of alcohol intake
Avoiding smoking and other tobacco products
Cutting back on the caffeine intake
Regular monitoring of blood pressure levels

Natural Remedies to Prevent and Cure Hypertension

There is no denying the fact that prevention is better than cure. Here are some natural ways in which you can prevent hypertension and even cure it if your BP levels are not too high.

Get Enough Potassium: Potassium which is also known as “unsalt” is one of the best remedies for regulating the blood pressure levels. Thus, eating potassium rich foods like spinach, avocados, bananas, lima beans and cantaloupes is a great way to fight any signs of hypertension.
Packing in Some Additional Flavours: There is no way you can reduce BP unless you cut down on your salt intake. In case you are worried that this may leave your food bland and boring, don’t be. Adding in some stronger flavours like freshly ground pepper, garlic, lemon, basil etc will make up for the lack of salt and give your food a delicious and healthy twist.
Go for Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds are rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids and thus help in lowering the systolic blood pressure. Consuming 4 tablespoons of flaxseed every day is what you need to do. You can mix it with water, oatmeal or yoghurt for breakfast or your salad or soup for dinner.
Say Yes to Tea: If you just can’t do without that much needed caffeine kick opt for tea instead of coffee. It is believed that tea has the ability to reduce the diastolic as well as systolic blood pressure. However, it is important to keep an eye on the number of cups you have each day. More than 4 cups is just not recommended.
Dark Chocolates It Is: Dark chocolates are rich in flavonoids that have the ability to make the stiff arteries agile. Thus consuming it in moderate quantity can help in reducing the BP levels in elderly people.

Conclusion

Hypertension is a serious lifestyle disease that can lead to serious repercussions while also being fatal at times. The best way to avoid it is to rethink your diet, get active and find ways to reduce your stress levels. Seeking the solution in nature is what will get you there.