What is hypertension?

Hypertension or high blood pressure is defined as blood pressure readings of 140/90 and above the first figure, or systolic pressure, represents the amount of pressure on the artery walls; the second number, or diastolic pressure, represents the lowest level of pressure. if blood pressure remains too high, this condition can lead to heart disease and stroke, as well as diabetes, eye problems, and kidney damage.

Causes include

1. Diets high in fat, salt and sugar.

2. Obesity.

3. Physical inactivity.

4. Alcohol, caffeine and stimulant use.

5. Smoking.

6. Heavy metal toxicity.

7. Pregnancy and certain medical conditions.

8. Stress and lack of sleep.

Lifestyle Changes

Aim for 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise 4-7 days a week. Since dehydration helps to raise blood pressure, drink a glass of water every 2 hours.

Dietary Factors

A diet low in saturated fat and high in complex carbohydrate is recommended. Such a diet includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, fish, soy products, onions, garlic, foods rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium (carrots, spinach, celery, alfalfa, mushrooms, lima beans, potatoes, avocados, broccoli, and most fruits), and restricts salt.

Fatty fish, rich in omega 3's helps to lower blood pressure. Foods high in potassium like apples, asparagus, bananas, cabbage, kelp, oranges, tomatoes are also beneficial. Celery, garlic, onions and parsley have also been linked to lowering blood pressure.

Heart Healthy Supplements

Some mecical doctors recommend 1000 mg of calcium a day, and 500 mg. of magnesium, since these minerals have shown to lower blood pressure.

Avoid certain herbs like Panax Ginseng, if you have hypertension

If stress is a factor, chamomile, oat straw, passionflower, and valerian may be useful.
Grape seed extract has also shown to lower blood pressure. Meditation has also shown to be very useful to lower blood pressure.

One study found insufficient sleep can contribute to increased blood pressure in hypertensives. The researchers theorized this may be due to increased sympathetic nervous activity during the night.
Try and get a good night's sleep.



Some, but not all of this information comes from
the Whole Food market magazine.

Thank you for the information Inda.

Elevated blood pressure is a serious problem and needs to be controlled.
A great number of North Americans are on prescription blood pressure pills. These medications can have many adverse side effects, so a natural approach is always better.

Love,
yoko

I found an excellent website which gives you more information on natural approaches to lowering your blood pressure

http://altmedicine.about.com/c...k/a/Hypertension_2.h

Thank you for the post Inda.
This is very useful information.
People are taking too many pills, however, blood pressure has to be kept under control. It is always good if it can be done with natural products and lifestyle.

Sincerely,
Gisele

Thank you Inda.

A number of supplements may lower blood pressure, as well. “Herbs such as hawthorn (500 to 1,500 mg), green tea (50 to 100 mg), and ginger (25 to 50 mg) are safe to use in the management of high blood pressure,” says cardiologist Stephen T. Sinatra, MD. He also suggests taking garlic supplements (500 to 1,000 mg) daily. “Garlic has an ACE-inhibiting quality that helps to lower blood pressure,” he explains. “In addition, garlic reduces stickiness, therefore lowering your risk of developing clots.”

Almost 80 percent of dietary sodium comes from processed foods and restaurant meals, claims the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The AMA is calling for those amounts to be cut in half. When you’re shopping, select unsalted or no-salt-added broths, soups, canned vegetables, and nuts, and avoid salty snacks. Enhance the flavor of your home-cooked recipes with herbs and spices, and ask to have your food prepared without salt when dining out.

http://www.life123.com/health/...ypertension.p2.shtml

Thank you girls.

I found another interesting website

http://www.webmd.com/hypertens...pertension-naturally

"Meditation, not medication," is the advice Robert Schneider, MD, gives when it comes to high blood pressure treatment. It's not his only advice, but it's right up there at the top of his list.

There is some interesting information here as well:

Physical and Psychological treatments
Physical treatment is helpful for hypertensive patients. Meditation is one of the methods that hypnosis the brain for thorough relaxation and peace of mind. This in turns helps lowering the blood pressure. Nevertheless, this treatment should be conducted under the guidance of experienced experts or specialists.

The patients should keep their minds in peace and free from any confusions in order to attain psychological balance. Negative emotions not only harm human health, but may also give rise to the level of blood pressure. Therefore, it is always better to go for positive thinking as it helps to improve the blood pressure. The emotion of either “too sad” or “too excited” may indirectly cause the rise of blood pressure, so patients should keep a balanced and tranquility mind by adopting moderate lifestyle.


http://www.healthmad.com/Condi...d-Hypertension.73979

"Negative emotions not only harm human health, but may also give rise to the level of blood pressure".

Thank you yoko. This is very good information that you have posted for us.

Love, Inda

Thank you for this post Inda,
somehow I missed it. There is a lot of good advice here.

Love,
Vicky