Control Hypertension Naturally

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is on the rise in Americans. This rise has driven many people to explore natural remedies to control their high blood pressure. There are several natural remedies that have been proven effective to control hypertension, but first it is important to understand what hypertension is.

What is Hypertension?

According to the American Heart Society, blood pressure is classified into normal, pre-hypertension and hypertension. A normal blood pressure ranges from 90/60 – 120/80, pre-hypertension ranges from 121/81 – 139/89, and hypertension is anything in excess of 140/90.

Hypertension has very few warning signs, which is why it is referred to as a silent killer. Hypertension is most often diagnosed during normal preventative check ups. If left untreated, hypertension can contribute to coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, and early death.

How to Treat Hypertension Naturally

There are natural ways to help treat hypertension. These natural ways offer a better alternative than medication that can have severe side effects.

Diet is the most effective way to treat hypertension naturally. Consuming a diet that is low in sodium and saturated fats is imperative. Try to cook meals as often as possible; this way you can determine the amount of salt that is in the food. Prepackage meals contain an alarming amount of sodium and other additives that should be avoided when trying to reduce blood pressure.
Hypertension is prevalent in the obese. Reducing your weight to a healthy range can dramatically reduce hypertension. Your primary care physician can assist you with finding a diet program that is best suited for you.
Limiting alcohol consumption to one drink per week can help lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that heavy drinkers experience high blood pressure more than those who limit their alcohol consumption.
Most physicians recommend exercising for 30 minutes a day, three to fives times a week. Regular exercise makes your heart stronger, which in turn can pump more blood efficiently with less work. When the heart is stronger and works with less effort, this reduces the wear on arteries.
Stress is a trigger for hypertension. Finding ways to reduce and eliminate stress can greatly affect your blood pressure. Going for long walks, meditating, and yoga are great ways to help reduce stress. Many local community centers offer classes designed to assist people in finding the best ways to help reduce stress.

As with any medical condition, you should always consult your health care provider before beginning any type of natural remedy. These natural remedies have been shown to help alleviate high blood pressure, but your blood pressure should still be closely monitored by your health care provider. Since there are rarely symptoms of hypertension it is important to do regular check ups, and follow all orders from your doctor.

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