You've just been told you have high blood pressure. Now what? Well, there are a few natural approaches you can take to reduce your blood pressure. Here we look at some that may help.
The Lowdown on High Blood Pressure
It's easy to prevent, yet causes nearly a quarter of deaths in the United States. That's because high blood pressure can cause stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, aneurysms and other chronic illnesses. Some medications can cause serious side effects. So before you take any blood pressure medication, ensure you understand the possible side effects and consider the following natural approaches.
Go for a Walk
Sounds easy, doesn't it? That's because it is! According to a recent study, people with hypertension who went for regular, brisk walks reduced their blood pressure by almost 8 mmhg over 66 mmhg. This is because working out increases your heart rate and boosts your heart health. In this way, you don't need to take in as much oxygen and your body doesn't work as hard to pump blood around the body. Make walking a daily habit and see if it makes a difference to your blood pressure. The trick is to exercising regularly and increasing your exertion to keep your heart working well.
Meditate and Breathe
Is there anything meditation and a bit of good breathing can't fix? Studies show that proper breathing, yoga, qigong and meditation reduce your stress hormones. Begin by meditating for a few minutes each day and build on it. You could also try a beginner's yoga class and see a breathwork practitioner.
Pass the Potassium
Potassium is great for your ticker. At least that's the latest research to come out of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medical. Potatoes are great sources of potassium, as are bananas, kidney beans, raisins and rockmelon.
Skip the Salt
Some of us have sodium sensitivity, causing blood pressure to skyrocket. The best way to combat this is to reduce your intake of the salty stuff. A good trick is not to add salt to meals, and aim to halve your intake. Pre-packaged meals and processed foods are also high in salt, so always check the label before tucking in.
Originally published on Oct 16, 2013
