Natural High Blood Pressure Remedies
There are also natural remedies to interject into your daily lifestyle to regulate blood pressure and prevent cases of sudden high blood pressure. Be sure to discuss the use of the following products with your doctor in addition to your health regimen.
1. Celery
To prevent a blockage of blood vessels, consume celery daily. It contains phytochemicals that relax the muscles, allowing a smoother blood flow.
2. Fenugreek Seeds
This spice has fiber to help maintain blood pressure levels. Boil one to two spoonsful of seeds in water to create a paste. Consume one tablespoon per day.
3. Lemons
4. Coconut Water
Drink daily as a source of vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium to lower blood pressure.
5. Garlic
One of natures best immune system boosters, garlic is a blood thinner. Use at least four grams per day.
A person with high blood pressure is at risk for various health conditions including heart disease. If your high blood pressure numbers rise suddenly, it could indicate an underlying condition that requires immediate medical attention. There are certain medications and hormonal changes that can stimulate an increase in pressure without causing alarm.
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes and natural remedies in addition to your prescribed health regimen.
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Living With High Blood Pressure
Controlling your high blood pressure is a lifelong commitment. You will always need to monitor your weight, make healthy food choices, exercise, learn to cope with stress, avoid smoking, and limit your alcohol intake. If you need medicine to control your high blood pressure, you will likely need it all your life.
Additionally, you will need to get used to regular blood pressure checks. Your doctor may want you to come to the office regularly. Or you may be asked to check your blood pressure at home and keep track of your numbers for your doctor. Some pharmacies and retail clinics have blood pressure machines on site. You can buy your own, automated arm blood pressure cuff for use at home. Your doctor may want you to check your blood pressure several times a day. Another option is to use an ambulatory blood pressure monitor.
Drink Alcohol In Moderation
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will increase your blood pressure and raise the cholesterol levels in your blood.
Sticking to the recommended amounts of alcohol consumption is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.
The recommended daily limits of alcohol consumption are:
- 3 to 4 units of alcohol for men
- 2 to 3 units of alcohol for women.
A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure or spirits.
More about drinking alcohol reponsibly
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What Is Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as the heart pumps blood. When a health care professional measures your blood pressure, they use a blood pressure cuff around your arm that gradually tightens. The results are given in two numbers. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, is the pressure caused by your heart contracting and pushing out blood. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure when your heart relaxes and fills with blood.
A blood pressure reading is given as the systolic blood pressure number over the diastolic blood pressure number. Blood pressure levels are classified based on those two numbers.
- Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is systolic blood pressure lower than 90 or diastolic blood pressure lower than 60. If you have low blood pressure, you may feel lightheaded, weak, dizzy, or even faint. It can be caused by not getting enough fluids, blood loss, some medical conditions, or medications, including those prescribed for high blood pressure.
- Normal blood pressure for most adults is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80.
- Elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure between 120 and 129 with a diastolic pressure of less than 80.
- High blood pressure is defined as 130 or higher for the first number, or 80 or higher for the second number.
Eat Healthy High Protein Foods
A long-term study concluded in 2014 found that people who ate more protein had a lower risk of high blood pressure. For those who ate an average of 100 grams of protein per day, there was a 40 percent lower risk of having high blood pressure than those on a low protein diet .
Those who also added regular fiber into their diet saw up to a 60 percent reduction of risk.
However, a high protein diet may not be for everyone. Those with kidney disease may need to use caution. Its best to talk with your doctor.
Its fairly easy to consume 100 grams of protein daily on most types of diets.
A 3.5-ounce serving of salmon can have as much as 22 grams of protein, while a 3.5-ounce serving of chicken breast might contain 30 grams of protein.
With regard to vegetarian options, a half-cup serving of most types of beans contains 7 to 10 grams of protein. Two tablespoons of peanut butter would provide 8 grams .
These supplements are readily available and have demonstrated promise for lowering blood pressure:
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid
Adding omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or fish oil to your diet can have many benefits.
A meta-analysis of fish oil and blood pressure found a mean blood pressure reduction in those with high blood pressure of 4.5 mm Hg systolic and 3.0 mm Hg diastolic .
Whey protein
This protein complex derived from milk may have several health benefits in addition to possibly lowering blood pressure .
Magnesium
Citrulline
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When To Go To The Er For High Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure
Whether you struggle with high blood pressure on a regular basis or have a one-off high reading, it can be difficult to know when to go to the ER for high blood pressure . But since a hypertensive emergency can lead to organ damage, its important to know when to worry about a blood pressure reading and make the trip to the ER.
Fortunately, there are guidelines you can follow. Here is a list of definitive examples of when to go to the ER for high blood pressure, along with answers to top FAQs regarding high blood pressure.
How Does Blood Pressure Affect My Health
Even if you’re only in your 20s or 30s, long-term studies show that having elevated blood pressure significantly increases your risk of developing serious health conditions later in life.
“Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease in middle age, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S.,” says Dr. Nasir. “It’s also a risk factor for stroke, kidney disease and several eye conditions.”
Plus, high blood pressure affects more than just your health there are financial implications, too. A person with high blood pressure spends almost $2,000 a year on the associated medications and health costs. These costs skyrocket if high blood pressure is left uncontrolled and serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, result.
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When You Need To Go To The Er For High Blood Pressure Complete Care Is Here
Knowing when to go to the ER for high blood pressure can help you remain calm in a time of crisis, as can knowing what emergency room to go to when you need help. At Complete Cares freestanding emergency room facilities, we are equipped to take care of all of the emergencies your standard ER handles, but without the wait time. Not only can you rest assured that you will be seen quickly at our facilities, but also that you will be treated with compassion when under our care. We have been nationally recognized for our service.
We have ER locations in both Texas and Colorado . Whether you have an emergency or just a simple health question, we will take complete care of you.
Get in. Get out. Get back to life.
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Who Is At Risk For High Blood Pressure
Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but there are certain factors that can increase your risk:
- Age – Blood pressure tends to rise with age
- Race/Ethnicity – High blood pressure is more common in African American adults
- Weight – People who are overweight or have obesity are more likely to develop high blood pressure
- Sex – Before age 55, men are more likely than women to develop high blood pressure. After age 55, women are more likely than men to develop it.
- Lifestyle – Certain lifestyle habits can raise your risk for high blood pressure, such as eating too much sodium or not enough potassium, lack of exercise, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking.
- Family history – A family history of high blood pressure raises the risk of developing high blood pressure
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Secondary High Blood Pressure
Some cases of high blood pressure are the result of underlying factors or cause and this is known as secondary high blood pressure.
Underlying factors include:
- kidney conditions, such as a kidney infection, or kidney disease
- narrowing of the arteries
- hormonal conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome
- conditions that affect the bodys tissue, such as lupus
- medication, such as the oral contraceptive pill, or the type of painkillers that are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen
- recreational drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystal meth
Occasionally, a rise in blood pressure can result from taking herbal remedies, such as herbal supplements.
What To Do If You Miss A Dose
The answer depends on the type of medication youâre taking. For some drugs, your doctor may tell you to take your medication as soon as you realize you missed a dose. For other drugs, you may be told to just to skip past the missed dose and pick up with the next one.
If you donât know what to do, first call your doctor or pharmacist. If you canât get a hold of them, the information that came with your medication may have answers.
There are also some general rules that apply to missed doses:
If itâs been less than 2 hours since your missed dose, go ahead and take it. Then keep taking later doses as usual.
If itâs been more than 2 hours since your missed dose, the answer depends on how often you take your medication:
- If you usually take it once or twice a day, itâs probably safe to take it as long as your next dose isnât for another few hours. Donât do this with insulin.
- If you take it three or more times a day, itâs usually safe to wait and take your next dose at the regular time.
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What Levels Equal A Hypertensive Crisis
While over time blood pressure can lead to a barrage of urgent medical conditions, when blood pressure enters into a hypertensive crisis state, it can lead to an urgent need for emergency care. For blood pressure to be considered a hypertensive crisis, it needs to quickly rise to a systolic level of 180 or more and a diastolic level of 120 or more.
There are two types of hypertensive crisis, and its essential to know how to approach each one:
- Hypertensive Urgency A hypertensive crisis is considered urgent when it spikes above the 180/120 numbers and stays that way through a second check five minutes later, but there are no other symptoms involved, such as:
- Pain
- Aortic dissection
Diagnosis Of High Blood Pressure
The best way to diagnose HBP is to have it measured. A blood pressure reading, given in millimeters of mercury , has two numbers.
- Systolic blood pressure indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls during heartbeats.
- Diastolic blood pressure indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.
Blood pressure measurements fall into four general categories. The American Heart Associations guidelines are as follow:
- Normal blood pressure: A reading of less than 120 and 80
- Elevated blood pressure: A reading ranging from 120 to 129 and below 80
- Stage 1 hypertension: A reading ranging from 130 to 139 or 80 to 89
- Stage 2 hypertension: A reading ranging from 140 or higher or 90
- Hypertensive crisis : A reading higher than 180 and/or 120
*If you have an electronic blood pressure machine and would like to measure your blood pressure at home, please follow The American Heart Associations guidelines:
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How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure Instantly In An Emergency
This might not be easy if you are worried, but remember that being calm can actually reduce blood pressure. Sit down and focus on your breathing. Take a few deep breaths and hold them for a few seconds before releasing. Take your blood pressure medication if your doctor has prescribed something for you.
How Do You Know If Your Blood Pressure Cuff Is Accurate
Check for accuracy
âIf the systolic blood pressure on your cuff is within 10 points of the monitor, then it’s generally accurate,â he says. Most home blood pressure machines last for about two or three years. After that, check it at your doctor’s office annually to make sure it’s still accurate.
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Tips To Help You Stay On Schedule
Sometimes, it isnât just forgetfulness that keeps you from taking your medications as your doctor prescribed. It may be because your drugs are messy or inconvenient. Or they cost too much. Or you always run out of pills before you can get refills.
Here are some ways to make smart choices to help you stick to your medication schedule.
Pick the best formula for you. Some medications come in different formulas like a pill, a liquid, spray, or something else. If you donât like to swallow pills, ask if the drug comes as a chewable tablet or syrup. If you dislike the taste of medicine, a pill that you wash down with a glass of water may be the way to go. Your doctor or pharmacist can explain your options and help you pick the best one.
Check for a cheaper option. Even with insurance, the cost of your medication especially if you have to take a lot or for a long time may make it hard for you to stick with your treatment. For many drugs, the generic version may work just as well as the name brand for much less money. Ask your doctor if you can switch.
If your drug isnât available as a generic or if your doctor recommends only the branded version, ask for free samples or discount coupons. Many drugmakers supply coupons to doctorsâ offices or have them on their websites. Check with your pharmacist about any discounts before you fill the prescription.
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Do I Have High Blood Pressure
Anyone can have high blood pressure. Some medical conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, kidney disease, and thyroid problems, can cause high blood pressure. Some people have a greater chance of having it because of things they can’t change. These are:
- Age. The chance of having high blood pressure increases as you get older, especially isolated systolic hypertension.
- Gender. Before age 55, men have a greater chance of having high blood pressure. Women are more likely to have high blood pressure after menopause.
- Family history. High blood pressure tends to run in some families.
- Race. African Americans are at increased risk for high blood pressure.
High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms, but routine checks of your blood pressure will help detect increasing levels. If your blood pressure reading is high at two or more check-ups, the doctor may also ask you to measure your blood pressure at home.
There are important considerations for older adults in deciding whether to start treatment for high blood pressure if it is above 130/80, including other health conditions and overall fitness. Your doctor may work with you to find a blood pressure target that is best for your well-being and may suggest exercise, changes in your diet, and medications.
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The Consequences Of Blood Pressure High Enough To Go To The Hospital
I want you to place more importance of making that call to go to the hospital over not making it. To tell you how important making that call is, I want to inform you about the medical issues that you may experience from uncontrolled blood pressure thats over 180 or 120 .
- Stroke: A sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain.
- Loss of Consciousness.
- Heart Attack: When the blood flow to part of the heart is blocked.
- Damage To The Eyes & Kidneys.
- Loss Of Kidney Function.
- Aortic Dissection: This is when there is a tear in the wall of your major artery, aorta, carrying blood out of the heart. This can lead to aortic rupture or decreased blood flow to your organs.
- Angina: Its a severe pain in the chest that is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. The pain can also spread to the shoulders, arms and neck.
- Pulmonary Edema: It is fluid accumulation in the tissue and air spaces of the lungs. it can lead to fatal respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
- Eclampsia: A condition that causes a pregnant woman to develop seizures or a coma.
As you can see these medical problems that can result from having blood pressure high enough to go to the hospital are very serious. Some of them can lead to a fatal ending so please take them seriously and also share this article on your social media or with a friend who might be experiencing high blood pressure.