Remedies for High Blood Pressure

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, natural remedies for high blood pressure may be something you are interested in trying. Do these herbal remedies work?
Statistics state that one in three adults in America has high blood pressure and one third of that number is unaware of their condition.  People can live for years with high blood pressure and not know it because it is a quiet disease.  On a blood pressure reading the first number is the systolic pressure. The second number represents the diastolic pressure.

• Average blood pressure is under 120/80 mmHg
• Pre-hypertension is between 120/80 and 139/89
• Stage 1 hypertension is pressure between 140/90 and 159/99
• Stage 2 hypertension is pressure that is higher than 160/100

During the early stages of high blood pressure, or also known as hypertension, there are generally no symptoms. However, as the condition develops the symptoms will also.  If you maintain a very salty or high potassium diet, if you smoke, lead a very inactive or stressful lifestyle or are obese you may be at high risk of high blood pressure. Men who are over the age of forty are also at risk. Symptoms are:

• Headache - regular headaches are a good sign of higher blood pressure
• Dizziness-  occasional dizziness that is accompanied with palpitation or sweating
• Nausea- constant uneasiness in your stomach
• Drowsiness-is a major symptom of high blood pressure.
• Loss of vision or Blurred Vision- if you have a sudden loss of vision or blurred vision you should seek immediate medical attention
• Fatigue- If you can not perform daily activities and they drain all of your energy

 Prescription medications for high blood pressure can be expensive; so many people are looking to natural remedies to help lower their high blood pressure.  In most cases natural methods of treating high blood pressure are just as effective, if not more so, as the prescription medications. Natural remedies can be better for your health because there are no chemicals in them. They also treat underlying ailments besides hypertension.

Garlic is a traditional remedy for high blood pressure.

In research studies three out of seven trials showed a great reduction in systolic blood pressure and four out of seven had reduced diastolic blood pressure. The researchers decided to use a garlic supplement in clinical treatment for mild hypertension.People who have taken garlic have also experienced a drop in their cholesterol.

However, garlic can also act as a blood thinner and reduce your blood’s ability to clot properly, so you should stop taking garlic a couple of weeks before any surgery. You should not take garlic if you are taking blood thinners like coumadin. It can also alter the effect of other supplements and drugs so you should only take it under the supervision of your doctor.

Research has shown that hawthorn supplements can help reduce hypertension significantly with out interfering with any other herbs or prescription medications. 

Hawthorn works by dilating the blood vessels and arteries; it also improves the coronary blood flow. It keeps the blood vessels from becoming narrow and constricted. Within the studies, most patients who took this herb experienced reduced blood pressure by ten to fifteen points within an eight week period.

When your blood pressure is reduced, the amount of hawthorn supplements can be reduced also or even stop taking it altogether. Hawthorn can also be used as a diuretic and it strengthens the heart muscles, which helps your heart more forcefully pump blood through your body.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes
There are also several changes that you can make in your life style that will help you lower your blood pressure and maintain it. A healthy lifestyle can go a long way in keeping your body healthy in more ways than just your blood pressure. Here are some life style changes you can make:

• Taking vitamin and mineral supplements- calcium, magnesium and vitamin C have been proven to reduce blood pressure.
• Omega 3- by eating at least three servings of fish or taking omega 3 supplements
• Use garlic when you cook
• Limit the amount of salt that you eat in your food
• Eat eight to ten servings of fruit or vegetables a day
• Reduce the amount of caffeine you consume
• Severely limit your alcohol intake. - When your body metabolizes alcohol your blood pressure increases.
• Losing weight can help a lot
• Do not smoke
• Exercising- even just walking for 30 minutes a day can significantly reduce your blood pressure

The most important thing you can do to is to make sure you take time to relax. Sit back with a good book, or do something else that you enjoy that will allow you to clear your mind of all the stress from work or just your day in general.

Natural remedies for high blood pressure can help you to be healthier with few, if any, of the side effects of chemicals. It is important to always consult with your health care provider before making any changes in your medication or adding a new supplement.