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How To Lower High Diastolic Blood Pressure

How To Lower Systolic Blood Pressure

High Diastolic Blood Pressure | What Causes High Diastolic Blood Pressure & How To Lower It

High blood pressure is one of the biggest concerns of Americans today. At its simplest, blood pressure is necessary for the human body as it measures the rate and strength at which the heart pumps blood throughout the body. Two numbers make up blood pressure: systolic and diastolic. Both numbers are a measure of your overall health.

When To See A Doctor

A blood pressure reading is typically taken as a normal part of a doctors visit. Many people find out they have hypertension in this setting. If you have hypertension, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan thats optimal for you.

There are also many types of blood pressure monitors available for purchase so you can take your blood pressure at home. If you choose to do this, bring your monitor to your next doctors appointment so they can show you how to properly use it to obtain accurate readings.

A single high blood pressure reading at home shouldnt be a cause for concern. Be sure to log the reading and continue taking your blood pressure on your normal schedule. If you continue to receive high readings, make an appointment with your doctor.

Decrease Your Salt Intake

Salt is the enemy of high blood pressure, says Dr. Desai. When you eat too much salt, it increases the amount of fluid that enters the bloodstream and arteries from the surrounding tissue, which raises the pressure in the arteries.

While you may not have to remove salt from your diet completely, avoid foods very high in salt like chips, french fries, salted nuts, soups, store-bought salad dressings, processed foods and cheese.

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Ways To Lower Diastolic Pressure

Health experts with Mayo Clinic emphasize the important role of a healthy lifestyle in maintaining normal blood pressure. Controlling blood pressure with healthy habits can help reduce the need for taking medications. Here are some natural ways to lower diastolic pressure.

1. Improve Daily Habits

It is important to improve your daily habits to avoid increasing your diastolic blood pressure. This includes giving up tobacco and reducing your intake of alcohol and salt. Reducing salt intake even a little significantly lowers diastolic pressure. Consuming small amounts of alcohol can lower blood pressure but taking more than one glass can increase your blood pressure. Caffeine causes spikes in blood pressure, but scientists are not sure if effects are long lasting. Inhaling nicotine from smoke or even secondhand smoke has been proven to raise blood pressure.

2. Have Beneficial Foods

How to lower diastolic pressure? Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products has been shown to reduce blood pressure by as much as 14 mm Hg. Avoid foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol to lower your blood pressure. Known as DASH diet, this eating plan also includes:

3. Lose Extra Weight

4. Exercise Regularly

5. Manage Stress

6. Get Support

Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure

Diastolic Pressure Definition

1. Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight is a major risk factor for high blood pressure. You will need to maintain a body mass index between 18.5-24.9 kg/m2.

2. Reduce central obesity

Having excess fat around the waistline puts you at risk of hypertension and related heart disease. You can reduce the fat around your middle through various exercises, including jogging, walking, hiking, rowing, swimming and high-intensity interval training .

3. Stay physically active

The American Heart Association recommends doing 90-150 minutes of physical activity spread throughout the week or at least 30 minutes each day for at least 5 days a week.

4. Quit smoking

Smoking causes the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels that leads to high blood pressure. Try to quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Ask your doctor if you need help figuring out the best way to do this. Joining a program designed to help you quit smoking may help.

5. Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep increases your chances of developing health conditions that cause high blood pressure. Try to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep each night.

6. Manage stress

Stress releases hormones that temporarily raise blood pressure. Learn to manage stress by doing activities that relax you and make you feel good. These may include simple things like taking a long walk in nature, listening to music, or pursuing hobbies you enjoy. You can also try deep breathing and meditation techniques.

7. Eat heart-healthy foods

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What Is Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.

Your blood pressure reading uses these two numbers. Usually the systolic number comes before or above the diastolic number. For example, 120/80 means a systolic of 120 and a diastolic of 80.

How Can I Lower My Diastolic Blood Pressure Quickly

If you would like to try something that could immediately impact how well your heart is pumping and moving blood through your body, consider cayenne pepper!

Cayenne pepper has been shown in studies conducted by scientists from the University Of Saskatchewan College Of Medicine to increase peripheral circulation.

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What Are The Symptoms Of High Diastolic Blood Pressure

When diastolic numbers are above ninety, or if they have risen rapidly without any changes in diet or exercise, there are likely other issues at play besides your cardiovascular system not working correctly.

Some common high diastolic blood pressure symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue after minimal activity, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

What Is The Easiest Way To Lower Diastolic Blood Pressure

How To Reduce Diastolic Blood Pressure (Fast and Naturally)

If you are seeking professional guidance and support to lower your diastolic blood pressure quickly, the Diabetes Freedom Program by George Reilly is an excellent resource.

George Reillys customized program includes meal plans, recipes, and helpful lifestyle tips.

This comprehensive resource is not just for people with diabetes. Its designed to improve health and wellness among all individuals seeking help.

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Study On Diastolic Blood Pressure Could Change How Doctors Treat Some Patients With Hypertension

Intensive lowering of diastolic blood pressurethe bottom reading in blood pressure measurements does not appear to be linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes, according to a large new study. The findings could change how physicians interpret this reading and how some patients with hypertension are treated in the future, researchers suggest.

Maintain A Healthy Weight

Having overweight or obesity increases strain on the heart muscle and can lead to a rise in blood pressure.

The AHA recommend that people keep their body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9. If a persons BMI is too high, they should take steps to reduce their weight.

According to the AHA, a loss of just 10 pounds in weight is enough to reduce blood pressure readings in people who have overweight.

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Question: How To Lower Diastolic Blood Pressure Number

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Follow the 20 tips below to help lower your overall blood pressure, including diastolic blood pressure. Focus on heart-healthy foods. Limit saturated and trans fats. Reduce sodium in your diet. Eat more potassium. Lay off the caffeine. Cut back on alcohol. Ditch sugar. Switch to dark chocolate.

Try Cutting Back On The Salt

25+ bästa Blood pressure idéerna på Pinterest

Reducing your sodium intake can play an important role in lowering your systolic blood pressure. The average American consumes more than 3,500 milligrams of sodium daily, which is well above the American Heart Association‘s recommendation of less than 2,300 milligrams per day.

“I think we all know that adding salt to your food is bad for your blood pressure,” Dr. Berger says. “But what we don’t always know is that when you eat food from a can or a box, it is filled with sodium.”

Dr. Berger recommends following a reduced-sodium diet called DASH , developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which also emphasizes a reduction in trans fats and refined sugar, as well as a sufficient intake of magnesium, potassium and calcium.

Because everyone responds differently to dietary changes, it may take some fine-tuning to find the right diet for your specific heart health.

“Everyone’s sodium responsiveness is a bit different,” says Howard Weintraub, MD, the clinical director of the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, at NYU Langone Health in New York City. “So if you’re going to take the time to modify your nutrition, you shouldn’t only reduce how much salt you use, but also make it more healthy in general.”

In other words, Dr. Weintraub says, leaving the salt off but continuing to eat French fries probably isn’t going to help.

Read more:10 Effortless Ways to Finally Cut Down on Salt

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What Causes High Systolic Blood Pressure

Before taking a look at what causes high systolic pressure, lets look at what is normal systolic blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 mmHg, with 120 considered the normal systolic number. Systolic pressure below 120 is also considered normal, but only to a certain extent. When the systolic pressure drops below 90, its considered hypotension, or low blood pressure. Low blood pressure is dangerous, too, as the body will not get enough oxygen, sometimes resulting in death. A systolic pressure of 120 to 129 is considered elevated blood pressure, while a number from 130 to 139 is considered Stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension occurs when the systolic number is 140 or higher, and the diastolic number is 90 or higher.

A hypertensive crisis, defined as a sudden blood pressure spike higher than 180/120 mmHg, requires medical attention. Patients who experience chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness, back pain, change in vision, or difficulty speaking with an accompanying blood pressure spike should get emergency medical help.

High blood pressure generally develops over time as a result of genetic factors or due to unhealthy lifestyle choices. Risk factors include:

  • Smoking

  • Diabetes or a family history of the disease

  • An unusually high amount of triglycerides, cholesterol, and/or fat phospholipids

  • A poor diet consisting of high salt and fat content, process food, and alcohol intake

  • So You Have High Blood Pressure What Else Could Be Wrong

    If you have high blood pressure, get checked for diabetes and high cholesterol. Most people who have high blood pressure also have some of the other risks for heart disease and stroke, such as not getting enough physical activity, having unhealthy eating habits, smoking, being overweight or drinking too much alcohol. Ask your doctor to test your kidney function through a blood and urine test, and through the electrolytes in your blood kidney problems can cause high blood pressure.

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    Have Your Blood Pressure Measured Regularly

    Have your blood pressure measured regularly and know what your blood pressure is. Remember that both numbers are important. If either the systolic or diastolic number is high , then your doctor will need to further check your blood pressure. A blood pressure measurement of less than 120/80 mmHg is very good unless it causes dizziness.

    What Causes Top Number Of Bp To Be High

    How to Lower Diastolic Blood Pressure Without Medication

    As you age, your arteries lose some of their natural elasticity and are less able to accommodate the rush of blood. Plaques, which are fatty deposits on the artery wall, can also contribute to stiffening of the arteries. Blood pressure particularly systolic blood pressure naturally tends to increase with age.

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    Buying A Blood Pressure Instrument To Measure Your Blood Pressure At Home

    Blood pressure instruments can be purchased in most pharmacies. Buy a blood pressure instrument that has been approved by the Association for the Advancement in Medical Instrumentation , the British Hypertension Society or the International Protocol . These labels will be marked clearly on the box. If you are unsure whether an instrument is approved, ask your pharmacist for help. Once you have bought the instrument, ask your doctor or pharmacist to check it to make sure the instrument measures your blood pressure accurately.

    Can Dehydration Cause High Blood Pressure

    Hypertension- High blood pressure is common in people who are chronically dehydrated. When the bodys cells lack water, the brain sends a signal to the pituitary glad to secrete vasopressin, a chemical that causes constriction of the blood vessels. This causes blood pressure to increase which leads to hypertension.

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    Drugs Vs Lifestyle Change

    First, keep in mind that drugs have limited success. Most studies on diuretics and other blood pressure-lowering drugs suggest they lower the risk of cardiovascular events among those with blood pressure between 140/90 and 159/99 by 15 to 20%.3 The problem is, with this range of blood pressure, the risk of cardiovascular-related deaths has increased by 300 to 400% compared to people with normal blood pressure.

    So, while treating hypertension with drugs is generally better than no treatment, it is far from a cure, asserts Dr. Fruge.

    The ‘bottom’ Blood Pressure Number Matters Too

    Study shows risk for younger adults with isolated systolic ...

    HealthDay Reporter

    THURSDAY, July 18, 2019 — When it comes to blood pressure readings, the “top” number seems to grab all the attention.

    But a large, new study confirms that both numbers are, in fact, critical in determining the risk of heart attack and stroke.

    Blood pressure measurements are given as a “top” and “bottom” number. The first reflects systolic blood pressure, the amount of pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts. The second reflects diastolic blood pressure, the pressure in the arteries between heart muscle contractions.

    For years, systolic blood pressure has been seen as the one that really matters. That’s based on studies — including the famous Framingham Heart Study — showing that high systolic blood pressure is a stronger predictor of heart disease and stroke.

    At the same time, though, doctors measure both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and treatment guidelines are based on both. So just how important is that diastolic number?

    “The idea behind this new study was to address the confusion,” said lead researcher Dr. Alexander Flint, an investigator with Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s division of research.

    Using medical records from 1.3 million patients, his team confirmed that, yes, high systolic blood pressure was a stronger risk factor for heart attack and stroke. But those risks also climbed in tandem with diastolic pressure and people with normal systolic readings were still at risk if their diastolic pressure was high.

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    If You Need Two Medications

    Many types of blood pressure drugs work best when taken together. When taking two drugs together, diuretics have been shown to lower blood pressure with a beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor and an ARB. A calcium channel blocker lowers blood pressure with the same drugs that work well with a diuretic. Other drug combinations are necessary when taking three or more blood pressure medications. There may be other reasons why your doctor may prescribe two blood pressure medications. For example, after heart attacks, doctors will prescribe a beta-blocker and an ACE inhibitor, but this is not primarily to reduce blood pressure.

    Diastolic Blood Pressure In The 50s

    Is 50 a normal diastolic number? A diastolic number of 50 is not normal diastolic blood pressure. It is considered low blood pressure. Any diastolic blood pressure number under 60 mmHg is considered low blood pressure.

    Low diastolic blood pressure can occur with a low systolic or with a normal systolic pressure. When diastolic is low but systolic isnt, its called isolated diastolic blood pressure. This can be dangerous for your heart 7.

    Unlike the rest of the body, your heart receives blood during diastolic, when its not beating. This can lead to symptoms of a weakening heart.

    The American Heart Association or the American College of Cardiology hasnt determined a set number range for low blood pressure. Most experts consider low diastolic pressure under 60 mmHg 8.

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    Which Is More Important Systolic Blood Pressure Or Diastolic Blood Pressure

    Both indicators of blood pressure are important when predicting cardiovascular diseases, but once a person passes age 50, systolic pressure becomes far more important when it becomes a greater indicator of problems such as congestive heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, renal failure, and mortality. For those aged 60 and older, increased systolic blood pressure and lower diastolic blood pressure can increase cardiovascular risk.

    Question: How To Lower Your Diastolic Blood Pressure Number

    Increased Diastolic Pressure – Tips to lower blood pressure
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    Follow the 20 tips below to help lower your overall blood pressure, including diastolic blood pressure. Focus on heart-healthy foods. Limit saturated and trans fats. Reduce sodium in your diet. Eat more potassium. Lay off the caffeine. Cut back on alcohol. Ditch sugar. Switch to dark chocolate.

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    Take Control Of Your Weight

    If you are suffering from obesity, try to achieve a healthy weight. Increased body weight increases your risk of developing high blood pressure.

    How to maintain a healthy weight?

    Check with your healthcare practitioner to determine what your ideal body weight should be. If your body weight is higher than normal, try to follow a healthy eating plan and engage in more physical activity.

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