April 2009 Archives

by I Russell

There are two readings linked with high blood pressure. Higher reading is systolic pressure which shows the pressure with which your heart beats. It indicates high blood pressure when its reading exceeds 130. Lower reading is the diastolic pressure which between the contractions shows the number. Its upper acceptable range is 85 over which it denotes high blood pressure. You can lower blood pressure naturally without the need of medication.

The first you would like to do is to lose some extra weight you are carrying. Many among us carry some extra weight. It’s not sure as to what is the relation between being overweight and having higher blood pressure but it has something to do with abnormalities in glucose. It’s advised that people with extra weight must exercise for a minimum of half an hour a day for at least five days in a week. The exercise you do doesn’t have to be anything wild and complicated, either. You can do yourself a world of good by just walking for a half hour each day. Some of the benefits your body will see from your exercise regimen will include weight loss and decreased stress levels. In addition, scientific studies have proven that doing aerobic exercise on a regular basis will make your heart stronger enabling it to more efficiently pump your blood and thus lowering your blood pressure. Therefore, you can see that exercise is a way to lower blood pressure naturally.

Diet is another step to lower blood pressure naturally. It is an important component for lowering high blood pressure. One must strive for a diet high in vegetables, dairy and whole grain products. Red meats and sweets are ok in moderation. A diet full of fruits and vegetables will lower blood pressure in as little as 2 weeks. It’s also important to include supplements proven to lower blood pressure naturally. Your diet should also include supplements which can also help to lower blood pressure naturally. Less intake of Sodium can also lower the blood pressure levels in a natural way. Hence, how much sodium intake you can reduce? It’s advised to lower it down to around 1,500 milligrams a day which is half the National average. One teaspoon of salt has 1,200 milligrams of sodium in it.

Reducing the quantity of alcoholic drinks you take is one sure natural way of lowering blood pressure naturally. To lower your pressure, reduce your alcoholic drinks. You need not cut the alcohol altogether. One drink each day is advised, nothing more. It is better to drink less even if you are not having high blood pressure.

Caffeine is a huge way to increase your blood pressure. So to lower blood pressure naturally, slow down on the caffeine. If you drink three cups of coffee each day, it will increase your blood pressure by 4 mm. The reason caffeine raises blood pressure is because it tightens the blood vessels and causes more stress. When your body is under stress, your heart starts pumping more and therefore you get a huge boost in your blood pressure. If you really need that cup of coffee in the morning, switch to decaf.

Natural dietary supplements are another great way to lower blood pressure naturally and maintain a healthy pressure. Supplements like L-arginine, grape seed extract, lycopene and pycnogenol have been clinically proven to help lower blood pressure. These safe natural supplements will not cause any harmful after effects with the positive benefits of better cardiovascular health. Taking these supplements on a daily basis will be your first step to a healthier lifestyle.

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