How to Lower High Blood Pressure Naturally and Easily

On any day in America, a primary care physician faces his patient and carefully explains to him that he is suffering from hypertension which could certainly lead to numerous and very severe health problems that must be addressed immediately. After all, hypertension is the "silent killer". There are many approaches that are used in tandem for the treatment of elevated blood pressure including: medication, diet, exercise, environmental and behavioral modification. The patient, of course has the responsibility of carefully following the doctor's instructions for his own wellness.

High Blood Pressure Pharmaceutical Remedies

Medication is the most common approach. Often when a patient is unable or fails to follow the suggestions that medical professionals might offer, it is sometimes the only approach to hypertension that can be used. Among the types of medications normally prescribed are: ACE inhibitors, angiogenesis II receptor blockers, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Depending upon the patient, a physician might choose one or more of the above medication approaches.

Outside of a pharmaceutical prescription, there are a few natural approaches that are suggested for the treatment of high blood pressure. Other approaches such as chiropractic has been of help to patients. Many use herbs and of course, as suggested above, there is the dietary and exercise which should be mandatory for anyone trying to control blood pressure. The herbal approach is often not as acceptable to the medical establishment because of the lack of strenuous case data supporting the efficacy of natural herbal remedies. Nevertheless, many people will use it, regardless.

Natural Breathing Approach to Lowering High Blood Pressure

One of the most overlooked, yet effective approaches is what physicians or nurses often recommend before placing a blood pressure cuff on a patient: taking deep breaths. The very action of taking a few deep breaths before a blood pressure measurement is taken, will relax the patient enough so that the measurement is more accurate. The concept here is to try to counteract the white coat syndrome. The sight of a doctor or nurse in a white lab coat often increases and distorts blood pressure readings.

More recently, the various online news media have reported that the very act of relaxing in a sitting position, breathing deeply (exhaling and inhaling) for a period of 15 minutes every day will have a long lasting effect on a typical hypertensive patient. Enough of an effect such that the pressure reading can be lowered more than 25 points (according to some) on the systolic (first number) and perhaps 10 to 15 on the diastolic (second number) pressure. For a more detailed instructions, one can check the internet.

Caution and Blood Pressure Medications

Obviously, not everything works for every patient or individual in all situations. Therefore more than likely, the technique can be tried and utilized in conjunction with drugs, dietary and other approaches. In the end, the physician will make the call and hopefully, the technique will work well enough so that the dosage of the drugs, if and when prescribed, may be reduced.

High blood pressure and blood pressure's side effects can be severe and life threatening. The patient must accept responsibility and must work with his or her physician. A treatment program must be individualized to the specific needs of the patient, while at the same time, the patient should work on his own to lower his blood pressure readings using deep breathing and other techniques that are effective.

Sources:
Mayoclinic.com, "Choosing blood pressure medications"
Nbcnews.com, "Breathe deep to lower blood pressure, doc says"