High blood pressure is called a silent killerĀ as it has no prominent symptoms but is lethal enough to be a killer. Blood Pressure refers to the pressure inside arteries as the blood courses through in response to the hearts pumping. When a doctor checks the blood pressure, both the pressure when the heart pumps and when it is at rest that are measured. Uncontrolled blood pressure can affect several vital organs and the damage it causes is irreversible. Left unchecked over time,high blood pressure can damage blood vessels corrugating its inner surfaces. The target organs for damage are kidneys, heart and eyes. The fine blood vessels in the brain that have weakened can burst leading to cerebral hemorrhage or stroke.
Factors That Contribute To Hypertension
There are certain factors that put you at risk of developing hypertension. These factors are age, race, weight, heredity, cigarette smoking, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol use, sodium consumption and use of oral contraceptives. High blood pressure comes with very few unmistakable symptoms. And that is why most people miss it. Look for frequent, severe headaches that may be mistaken for migraine, dizziness, ringing or buzzing in the ears, fatigue, thumping in the chest, flushed face and nosebleeds. If you have any of these, in isolation or combination, over a period of time, you must schedule a consultation with your doctor. After 40 years of age, it is a good idea to go for regular checkups so that you can catch a climbing blood pressure.
Garlic is a potent weapon in the fight against high blood pressure. Garlic serves the dual purpose of controlling blood pressure and reducing cholesterol. Garlic can be had both raw and cooked. Garlic is best consumed slightly crushed. Crushing it lightly helps to retain the hydrogen sulfide that it produces. This compound encourages better flow of blood within arteries. It also removes flatulence which agitates the heart as it presses against the diaphragm. Those who cannot stomach eating crushed garlic can have a few drops of plain garlic juice in a tablespoon of water twice a day.
Optimal Dietary Changes
There are dietary changes you can make to stop hypertension from developing. A healthy diet is low in saturated fats, but big on fruits, vegetables and whole grain products. There is emphasis on fish, poultry and nuts but it discourages meats and other high calorie foods like sweets and sugary drinks. The fruit and vegetable rich diet ensures you get boosts of potassium, calcium and magnesium as well as fiber. This diet is a great combination for lowering blood pressure. Those who are genetically predisposed to high blood pressure should cut back on salt and sodium rich foods. Sodium encourages retention of fluid in the body. The kidneys then have to work extra hard to get rid of the sodium. When sodium builds up in the body, it tries to dilute the sodium by conserving fluids. This, in turn, puts pressure on your blood vessels that need to move more blood around.
The Goodness Of Bananas
Though all vegetables and fruits are good as a part of a low cholesterol, low salt diet, there are some which are packed with extra goodness and go a long way to keep blood pressure within acceptable limits. Banana is one such fruit. Banana is rich in potassium but low in sodium and it has no cholesterol raising factor. If you have no issues with diabetes you can eat two a day. Along with bananas, you can have apricots, currants, zucchini, raisins, cantaloupe, spinach, pumpkin, boiled sweet potatoes and winter melon.
Celery And Blood Pressure
Celery controls blood pressure using the phytochemical present in it. Regular consumption of celery will be result in a sure fall in blood pressure. Celery can also reduce stress levels that are linked to high blood pressure. Stress hormones constrict blood vessels affecting smooth flow of blood. Consume at least one stalk of celery every day. If that is not possible have celery seed extract in capsule form. Celery can be cooked or eaten raw. As a vegetable, the nutrients contained in celery do not degrade as a result of cooking.
Fenugreek To Normalize Blood Pressure
remedies for high blood pressure
Fenugreek is a spice that is extensively used in south Asian cooking. It is said to have a cooling effect on the body. It has an important position in nature therapy. For blood pressure also it is said to be beneficial. Fenugreek can be had cooked or raw. To have it raw, simply powder it and have a teaspoonful stirred into half a cup of water. If you prefer it cooked, boil 2 teaspoons of it in a cup of water for five minutes. Add a tablespoon of honey and have it first thing in the morning. Fenugreek is also rich in calcium.
Cayenne pepper or any other hot pepper has the effect of making the circulation improve. An improved circulation will help reduce blood pressure. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper inhibits platelets from clumping together and forming clots. Clumping of platelets is the precursor of clots. To ensure smooth blood flow, have cayenne regularly. The quercetin that onions contain is an antioxidant that has the ability to prevent heart disease and strokes. Onions can be had both raw and cooked. Onion is the vegetable that is consumed the most in the world.
Olive oil has been touted as the healthiest oil in the world. This is based on the assumption that people who follow the Mediterranean diet are the healthiest people in the world. They consume more fruits and vegetables and very little grains. Olive has a large percentage of polyphenols that can reduce cholesterol which in turn reduces heart disease. Cholesterol directly impacts blood pressure as the plaque from cholesterol gets deposited on the inner surface of blood vessels reducing their span. Olive oil has to be used judiciously if one is to get full benefit of its goodness. Hawthorn is a herb that has been used in folk medicine extensively. Studies have shown that hawthorn extract is effective in bring down the diastolic readings in diabetes patients.
