High Blood Pressure Remedies

Are you wondering about high blood pressure natural remedies? You are not alone. There are thousands of people like you out there who have high blood pressure and are given medication for it.

This article is not about treating high blood pressure with medication. It is about the natural ways available to prevent and control high blood pressure.

Although I was trained in conventional medicine and practiced it for 20 years, I have always combined life style changes and medication when it comes to control high blood pressure.

Often people would say to me, “You know, doc, high blood pressure runs in my family- my mother has it, my granny had it, my sister just had a stroke- there is nothing I can do about it.”

If you are one of those people keep on reading. This is for you.There is nothing written in stone that one can not control high blood pressure even if everyone else in the family has it.

Here is your to do list:

I. Avoid salt

Why?

Salt or sodium chloride retains water in the body and the heart has to deal with a bigger fluid content which increases the blood pressure. It is that simple. You shake the salt dispenser - your blood pressure goes up- there is no mystery here.

Although only 200-1000 mg of sodium a day are essential for health, the average American consumes 10-50 times the amount that is essential for health (200-1000 mg of sodium a day)

Yes, I will repeat this: The average American consumes 10 to 50 times more salt.

I hear you saying: “Well, I have being eating that amount of salt all of my life and my blood pressure is as normal as it could be.”

And you are probably right. Some people are salt resistant and can eat these amounts, however, as many as 40 percent of people with high blood pressure are "salt sensitive." This sensitivity to salt is higher among African-Americans, overweight people, elderly people and those who have a family history of high blood pressure.

Check you

BMI and measure your waistline

If you are over 50 and have other family members with high blood pressure - keep reading.

The British Medical Journal reported that a reduction of sodium from 8 grams down to 5 grams per day will reduce the risk of stroke by 22 percent and heart disease by 16 percent. Now that is something that we all need to think about.

American Heart Association sodium recommendations

Healthy American adults should reduce their sodium intake to no more than 2300 mg per day. This is about 1 teaspoon of sodium chloride (salt). Remember that 75 percent of it comes from processed foods.

How?

Replace the salt with herbs and spices like:

1. Basil Tomato-based sauces and dishes

2. Bay leaf Braised and stewed dishes

3. Chives Salads, stews, and soups

4. Cumin Marinades, chili, and tomato sauce

5. Curry Meats, fish, poultry, and vegetables

6. Ginger Stir-fried poultry, lamb, or meat

7. Mustard Marinades and fish stews

8. Parsley Stocks and soups

9. Rosemary Roasted or grilled chicken or fish

10. Sage Fish, lamb, pork, or poultry

II. Increase minerals intake

Eat plenty of those foods to provide the body with:

1. Potassium

It is important to increase you potassium intake if you are given diuretics (the water pill) to stimulate the excretion of excess fluids.

Foods rich in potassium:

Bananas, apricots, avocados, apples, cantaloupe, oranges, pears, watermelon, raisins, carrots, white and sweet potatoes, winter squash legumes, beets, salmon and sardines.

Recommended daily amounts: 4-6 grams per day

2. Magnesium

The body cannot store potassium without magnesium. In the presence of adequate amounts of both potassium and magnesium, the potassium itself increases the excretion of sodium and excess fluids.

Foods rich in magnesium: Mostly whole grains and leafy greens.

Recommended daily amounts: 300-500 mg

3. Calcium

Up to 30 percent of people with high blood pressure also excrete calcium in their urine. According to Lawrence Resnick, M.D. (the Journal of Hypertension), two grams per day may be effective in lowering blood pressure in people who are salt sensitive.

A JAMA report pointed that African-American men have lower calcium levels partly as a result of lactase deficiency, indicating another use for calcium supplementation.

Food rich in calcium:

Calcium is found in yogurt and other milk products, soybeans, sardines, salmon, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and leafy greens.

Recommended amounts: 2 grams per day

III. Don't forget your vitamins

Eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables. to get enough:

1. Vitamin C

The less vitamin C in the blood, the higher the blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

2. Vitamin E

Evidence suggests that vitamin E also magnifies the blood pressure-lowering effect of vitamin C.

IV. Herbs may also help lower blood pressure

1. Hawthorn

Hawthorn dilates blood vessels by blocking the action of a blood constricting enzyme called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme).

2. Ginkgo biloba

Acts by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow throughout the body and lowers the risk of blood clots.

3. Linden

The blossom is often combined with hawthorn for blood pressure.

4. Parsley

Natural diuretic which lowers blood pressure.

5. Guelder rose bark

Relaxes the cardiovascular system and also helps to relieve nervous tension, often associated with high blood pressure.

6. Goldenseal root

May reduce blood pressure, especially when taken in conjunction with ginger.

7. Garlic

Lowers hypertension 2-7 percent.

8. Cayenne pepper:

The main ingredient capsacine slows arteriosclerosis, which leads to hypertension.

V. Regulate your stomach to control high blood pressure

Regular bowl movement is crucial to control high blood pressure.

1. Psyllium husks

Add this soluble fiber to your carrot or apple juice with your breakfust.

2. Other sources of fiber:

Peas, beans, apples, pears and citrus fruit.

VI. Avoid alcohol

Chronic drinkers, given the same treatment as nondrinkers, do not achieve the same degree when it comes to control high blood pressure. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can produce acute hypertension in some people.

VII. Stop smoking cigarettes

The nicotine actually constricts the small blood vessels, directly rising the blood pressure level.

Check your stress level with this free Stress Level Test that I will personally analize for you.

Copyright Dr. Nelly Stoyanova

Reprint rights: You may repost any article written by Dr. Nelly Stoyanova as long as the article is left intact. Please include the author's bio and a clickable link to our site.

Author's bio: Dr. Nelly Stoyanova is a physician, medical researcher and health behavior expert. She studies the effects of stress on heart disease, type 2 diabetes and sleep. Her website: Belly Fat, Stress and Baby Boomers (http://www.stress-fat-heart-solutions-for-boomers.com) evaluates sources of stress for people over 50 and provides great tips to balance your day-to-day stress and stay healthy. Turn your life around and benefit from her expertise. For individual guidance sessions or to schedule a public speaking event use the Contact page or email at drnstoyanova@gmail.com

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