Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
Although apple cider may not lower blood pressure immediately, it could help treat some types of hypertension.
Most of the medicinal properties of apple cider vinegar come from its content of acetic acid. One study found that acetic acid helps to inhibit certain enzymes that can cause high blood pressure. Scientists found that acetic acid solutions had a positive effect on blood pressure levels.
You can learn more about the therapeutic effects of apple cider vinegar to help cure hypertension without medication.
How Often Should I Have My Blood Pressure Checked
Its recommended that Australian adults have their blood pressure checked by their doctor at least every 2 years. Some people may be advised to have more frequent checks for example, people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
People with diabetes should have their blood pressure checked at least every 6 months if its normal and every 3 months if they have high blood pressure.
All Australians aged 45 and over and 30 and over for those of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent are eligible for a regular, 20-minute heart health check with their GP or nurse. This checks your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Your health professional will be able to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years.
Heart health checks are covered by Medicare and free at practices that bulk bill this service.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Having overweight or obesity increases strain on the heart muscle and can lead to a rise in blood pressure.
. If a persons BMI is too high, they should take steps to reduce their weight.
According to the , a loss of just 10 pounds in weight is enough to reduce blood pressure readings in people who have overweight.
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Increase Your Dietary Fibre
Many studies have shown that increasing the amount of fibre in your diet lowers both blood pressure and cholesterol.
Fibre is a type of carbohydrate, which is indigestible. However, it plays an important role in digestion as it bulks out intestinal contents, stimulates the transit of food through the gut, and prevents constipation. In the small intestine, fibre binds to cholesterol from food and prevents it from being absorbed into the bloodstream. Replacing refined grains with whole grains which have a much higher fibre content, will help lower your cholesterol.
Fibre-rich foods include whole-grain bread, rice, and pasta brown foods, pulses, nuts and seeds, and many fruits and vegetables including potato skins.
Olive Oil Helps Manage Hypertension In Men
Olive oil is one of the best foods to take to help lower blood pressure naturally and improve your cardio health.
One study found that people who regularly consumed olive oil in their diet had a lower risk of hypertension. Interestingly, scientists noted that olive oil helped treat hypertension in men, not in women. However, this may be because women, in general, suffer from high blood pressure less than men.
Other studies have shown that consuming olive oil daily can help treat high blood pressure in elderly people. Researchers also noted that olive oil consumption helped lower high cholesterol at the same time.
Learn more about the benefits to your heart from consuming olive oil every day.
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What Is Systolic Blood Pressure
When your doctor measures your blood pressure, you hear two numbers. The first is your systolic blood pressure, the amount of pressure that your heart exerts against the walls of your arteries with each pump. The second number, your diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure that your heart exerts between beats.
Many factors can push systolic blood pressure beyond normal, or above 120 millimeters of mercury, according to the American Heart Association. One factor is age. Over time, plaque can build up in the walls of your arteries, requiring the heart to exert more effort with each pump. But diet, weight, exercise habits and stress can exacerbate the problem.
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Berries Should Be In The Blood Pressure Diet
A high blood pressure diet should include plenty of servings of berries to help boost your cardiovascular health.
Berries such as blueberries, bilberries, black currants, and cranberries contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that have a positive effect on blood pressure.
Researchers have found that a diet rich in berries can help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Consuming berries is also good to keep your heart healthy and lower your risk of developing chronic diseases.
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How To Sleep Better
Follow these tips for a better nights sleep
- Make having enough time to sleep a priority.
- Have a bedtime routine and stick to it.
- Make sure you have a comfortable mattress and bedding, and a dark, cool, bedroom.
- Turn off computers, TVs, mobile phones, and any other electronic devices at least 2 hours before bedtime. Blue light from these devices stops the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
- Wind down for bedtime have a hot bath or shower, practise relaxation techniques.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol 4-6 hours before bedtime.
If you are not making progress, see your GP. You may have a sleep disorder, for example, sleep apnoea, which needs treatment.
What Risks Are Increased By High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure also puts you at higher risk of complications such as nerve and eye damage.
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Monitor Blood Pressure At Home
A person can use a blood pressure monitor to regularly check their blood pressure at home.
According to the , people who have a diagnosis of high blood pressure should check that their blood pressure stays below 130/80 millimeters of mercury . If someone has an elevated systolic or diastolic pressure reading, they should contact their doctor.
What Can I Do If My Blood Pressure Goes Up Right Before Doctors Visits
Have you ever heard of white coat syndrome? Its what happens when you typically have normal-ranged blood pressure but significantly higher blood pressure in medical settings like hospitals or doctors offices. This is often caused by feeling nervousness or anxiety around medical settings. Unfortunately, this means your health provider might think your blood pressure is higher than it really is.
White coat syndrome isnt uncommon. In fact, one study suggests that 15% to 30% of people who have high blood pressure readings might suffer from white coat syndrome. In cases like these, some patients wonder whether its possible to quickly lower their blood pressure before a reading. If youre in this situation, the safest and most effective thing you can do is try your best to relax.
Here are a few relaxation methods you can try:
If you or your doctor suspect white coat syndrome, your doctor may send you home with a blood pressure monitor that will check your blood pressure periodically throughout a normal day. This gives a more accurate reading of what your blood pressure really is and helps the doctor figure out whether the stress of a physical trip to a medical facility is affecting you.
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Avoid Drinks That Raise Bp
Excess Alcohol: If you are trying to lower blood pressure excess alcohol should be avoided. Besides raising blood pressure, it can lead to heart failure, irregular heartbeat and stroke.
The recommendation is to not drink more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. The following are guidelines for what is considered 1 drink:
- 4 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits
- 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits
Sugary Drinks: Theres plenty of evidence excess sugar can raise blood sugar and insulin levels. This can lead to an increase in heart beat and BP. A study showed an increase in systolic and diastolic BP with a diet high in sugar 19.
This is more than what is seen with higher sodium. Avoid these 10 high sugar drinks:
Limit Saturated And Trans Fats
The AHA recommend that people limit their daily intake of saturated fats. According to the AHA, saturated fats should make up no more than of a 2000 calorie-per-day diet.
The also recommend avoiding trans fats, which can increase bad cholesterol levels while decreasing good cholesterol levels. Like high blood pressure, trans fats increase a persons chances of developing heart disease and stroke.
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Lose Weight To Manage Hypertension Naturally
Getting and maintaining a healthy body weight puts less strain on your heart and helps to lower blood pressure.
Getting enough exercise and enjoying a healthy, well-balanced cardiac diet help to lose weight and also treat hypertension. One study found that combining the DASH diet with exercise had a positive effect on both body weight and elevated blood pressure.
One study involving over 13,000 obese individuals found that losing weight was a major factor in reducing the risk of uncontrolled hypertension.
Losing weight can also help to lower high blood pressure quickly. Over a 10-week period, people who lost 5% of their body weight experienced a notable drop in blood pressure.
You can start on a program to lower your blood pressure today if you take measures to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.
Get Moving And Shed A Few Pounds
“The more you exercise, the better off you will be, and your blood pressure will drop accordingly,” says Dr. Berger.
You don’t have to suddenly start training for a triathlon to see positive effects on your blood pressure. From jogging to cycling to Zumba classes, engaging in moderate-to-high intensity exercise for about 30 minutes five days a week can help.
In terms of lowering your systolic blood pressure through weight loss, Dr. Weintraub says that recommendations vary, depending on your baseline weight. But as a general rule of thumb, losing 8 percent of your body weight can have significant benefits.
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How Long Does It Take To Come Down
The length of time it takes to lower blood pressure will vary from person to person.
In addition, some methods for lowering blood pressure will work for some people, but not for others. A person should start seeing changes within a few days to weeks of making the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes.
High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms. People may only discover that they have high blood pressure during a routine visit to their doctor, or after developing complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Some symptoms that may be indirectly related to high blood pressure include:
- blood spots in the eyes
Its Not Only Your Diet That Affects Your Blood Pressure Its Your Lifestyle Overall
How active you are, whether you smoke and how much alcohol you drink, for example, all make a big difference. In this section, we look at what affects your blood pressure and the best things you can do to lower your blood pressure naturally.
The best part is, all these changes will work together to keep your heart and your body healthy.
See if what you drink is within the recommended guidelines and find out how many units your favourite drinks contain its often more than you think.
Being overweight can raise your blood pressure and put extra strain on your heart. By keeping to a healthy weight, you can look after your blood pressure and your heart.
Exercise can keep you healthy, but it doesnt have to mean running marathons. See how you can be more active and keep it going in the long term.
Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your blood pressure and your overall health. Find out about the benefits and who can help.
Think your high blood pressure is all down to stress? See what the science shows.
Did you know that the amount of sleep you have can affect your blood pressure?
There are lots of simple changes you can make to what you eat to lower your blood pressure, such as eating more fruit and veg and choosing foods low in salt.
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May Relieve Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint condition in the United States, causing painful and stiff joints .
In one study in 45 people with osteoarthritis in the knee, taking 100 mg of cats claw extract for 4 weeks resulted in reduced pain during physical activity. No side effects were reported.
However, there was no change in either pain at rest or knee swelling .
In an eight-week study, a supplement of cats claw and maca root a Peruvian medicinal plant reduced pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis. In addition, participants needed pain medication less frequently .
Another trial tested a daily mineral supplement alongside 100 mg of cats claw extract in people with osteoporosis. After 12 weeks, joint pain and function improved compared to those not taking the supplements .
However, after eight weeks, the benefits were not sustained.
It should also be noted that it can be difficult to determine the specific actions of cats claw in studies that test multiple supplements at once.
Scientists believe that cats claw may ease osteoarthritis symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory properties (
Reduce Your Sodium Intake
Itâs a prime offender in raising blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends that people with hypertension keep it under 1,500 milligrams a day. Check your food labels to see how much youâre getting. If you cut back gradually, youâre less likely to notice the difference. Limiting sodium to just 2,400 milligrams per day can lower your number 2 to 8 points.
One way to cut back is to prepare your food at home. Seventy-five percent of your sodium intake comes from eating out and packaged foods. Use more spices for flavor instead of salt. Eating more potassium helps move sodium out of your body. A small effort can bring blood pressure down as much as two to eight points.
Ways to cut out sneaky salt and add healthy flavor:
- Read labels. Look for “salt,” “sodium,” “sea salt,” and “kosher salt.”
- Rinse salty canned food such as beans or tuna before using it.
- Substitute herbs and spices for sodium and salt when cooking.
- Avoid instant or flavored side dishes, which usually have a lot of added sodium. Instead, try cooking plain rice, pasta, or grains without adding salt. You can add other flavorings or a bit of salt when you serve them.
- Look for “low sodium” on food labels.
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Get Enough Sleep Each Night
Although sleep may not directly lower a persons blood pressure, it is vital for physical health and mental wellbeing. A lack of good quality sleep can increase the risk of chronic health conditions, some of which may increase a persons blood pressure.
The exact amount of sleep a person needs will vary from person to person. However, adults should be aiming to get between 79 hours of good quality sleep each night.
How To Lower Your Blood Pressure Without Medication
All the suggestions on the list below have been shown to lower blood pressure. However, you wont be able to do them all at once. Pick one item from the list and try it put it into action. Once thats established, pick a second one, and so on. Maybe try a new one, once a month. Think how far you will have come by this time next year!
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Treating For Multiple Conditions
The type of blood pressure medication your doctor prescribes may depend on what other health problems you have. For example, if you have coronary artery disease and high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker. If you have had a myocardial infarction due to CAD, a beta-blocker can lower your blood pressure and decrease your overall risk of death.
If you have diabetes, your doctor may choose an ACE inhibitor or an ARB. Thats because these drugs can help protect the kidneys from diabetic damage by lowering the blood pressure in your kidneys.
The Dash Diet Helps To Lower High Blood Pressure
You can bring down your blood pressure naturally by following the principles of the DASH diet.
The DASH diet is the âDietary Approach to Stop Hypertensionâ and includes dietary guidelines if you have hypertension. The main principles of the diet to treat high BP is to eat more vegetables, fruits, and lean meat and cut down on sodium.
Foods to eat for hypertension on the DASH diet include:
- Complex carbohydrates such as green leafy veggies, whole-grain foods, and legumes.
- Healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, oily fish, and flaxseeds are all recommended to lower blood pressure.
- Low-fat protein that contains essential micronutrients such as fish, eggs, beans, and lean meats.
One study on the benefits of the DASH diet to manage hypertension found that it has great potential to reduce complications associated with heart disease. For example, it is estimated that, if followed, these dietary guidelines could help prevent 400,000 cases of heart disease.
If you are interested in finding out more about what to eat to lower blood pressure fast, read the information about the cardiac diet for improved health.
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