What is
Hypertension?
Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure
which continues over a period of time, is the force that the
blood exerts on the veins and arteries while it circulates
around the body is controlled by many organs such as the
heart, kidneys, brain, the adrenals and of course the blood
vessels.
Systolic pressure measures the pressure
as the heart contracts and pushes blood through the
arteries. Diastolic pressure is taken when the heart
relaxes. While a
normal reading is 120 over 80 or lower, a reading higher
does not mean that you have hypertension.
When your blood pressure remains 140/90 or higher on
a more consistent time frame, your physician will have to
perform other tests to see if in fact you have a chronic
condition.
The causes are not always known; it can
often run in families, indicating a strong genetic
component. Risk
factors include smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, a high salt
intake, lack of exercise, stress and a family history of
hypertension and stroke.
Arteriosclerosis, or a thickening, hardening and
narrowing of the walls of the arteries is also often
associated with hypertension.
It is very important to take steps to control high
blood pressure. If it is left untreated, it can result in
heart disease or even stroke.
There are many natural remedies to
control hypertension such as Crataegus oxyacantha or
Hawthorn, Passiflora incarnate, Viburnum opulus and Ginkgo
biloba. These
herbs have become recognized for their ability to lower
blood pressure and relax the blood vessels.
Because high blood pressure is often
related to lifestyle choices, you can change your health
without prescription drugs, natural remedies have shown to
be exceedingly valuable.
Tips for Using Natural Remedies to
Control Hypertension:
--Eat a healthy and
balanced diet.
--Exercise on a daily
basis or a minimum of three times per week.
--Keep alcohol and
caffeine use to a minimum and omit salt completely.
--Potassium lowers blood
pressure so eat potassium rich foods like bananas, oranges,
zucchini, and spinach.
--Being overweight greatly
increases your chances of hypertension but if you exercise
and follow a healthy diet you will lose the weight.
The result is a much healthier, happier
you and many times these changes are all that is needed to
control your hypertension.
|