Your heart is what keeps you alive. It pumps your body with oxygenated blood and the necessary nutrients for normal bodily functions. Your blood pressure is the force with which the heart pumps the blood. Elevated blood pressure is when the measurements of this force are above the normal range consistently in multiple readings. This condition is known as hypertension and is deleterious for your health.
People with high blood pressure may normally not feel any symptoms. But when this condition persists over long periods of time, it causes harmful effects to the body. This leads to unwanted complications and health issues that may need medical attention. It is basically a silent killer which takes a toll on the lives of millions of people worldwide. While this treatment requires medical attention, at the same time, the best cardiologist in Lahore recommends lifestyle modifications and simple remedies that can help you manage your hypertension well. Let us have a look at some home remedies and pointers that contribute towards managing high blood pressure.
Manage That Stress Of Yours!
When it comes to managing hypertension, stress management is usually recommended by all healthcare professionals. This is not just some talk. Stress may not directly cause hypertension, but it is a major contributing factor to elevated levels of blood pressure repeatedly. This is associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. Taking on abnormal levels of stress may lead to a sympathetic nervous system response in the body which ultimately increases heart rate as well as cardiac output.
Therefore, it is necessary to keep that stress in check. You can adopt stress management techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, light exercises, and meditation. If you have work-related stress, then focusing on the more important tasks first, managing your time and priorities well, will definitely help keep those stress levels controlled.
Limit Sodium Intake
The salt everybody loves to add a little too much to their foods is the leading cause of hypertension. Table salt has a lot of sodium which is responsible for elevating blood pressure by water retention in the body. Processed foods are also packed with sodium. It is essential that you be mindful of your dietary sodium intake. In case of home-cooked meals, you can choose alternate herbs and spices if you do not want to compromise on flavors.
Necessary Dietary Potassium
It is necessary that you increase your potassium intake while simultaneously reducing intake for sodium. Potassium regulates sodium levels as well as fluid balance in the body. Potassium is a remedy for high blood pressure as it regulates appropriate blood flow and relaxes the walls of arteries.
If you eat foods that are rich in potassium, you may not even need supplements. Examples of such foods include bananas, beans, lentils, broccoli, avocados and dried fruits. These may be taken singularly or incorporated in salads and smoothies etc.
Drink Pomegranate Juice And Hibiscus Tea
Instead of taking fizzy drinks or caffeine-containing drinks as liquid in your routine, it is better to incorporate heart-healthy beverages such as pomegranate juice or hibiscus tea. Pomegranate juice reduces your blood pressure naturally by inhibiting serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). This has a direct inhibitory effect on the systolic blood pressure.
It is better to incorporate at least a cup of hibiscus tea in your everyday routine due to its benefit of reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Basically it works by increasing the urine output of the body. This way blood volume is reduced and blood pressure is decreased consequently.
Lavender Aromatherapy
The beauty of lavender oil aromatherapy is that it has a relaxing effect on the body. This essential oil then consequently reduces blood pressure. It is known to alleviate cardiac excitation and has an anti-anxiety effect.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known to stimulate the production of nitric acid. Nitric acid is responsible for dilating the blood vessels, directly causing a reduction in the blood pressure levels. A study claims that apple cider vinegar significantly reduces blood glucose levels after a meal as well.
Put A Stop To That Sedentary Lifestyle
A little lifestyle modification can go a long way while managing hypertension. Regular exercise is known to regulate the working of the heart and increase its performance. Brisk walking, cycling, and swimming are some of the best ways to manage a healthy weight and blood pressure as well. You do not need to engage in strenuous exercises. Regular short walks are a good choice.
Final Thoughts
Lifestyle and dietary modifications along with medicines can help you control that hypertension for a healthier life ahead. Be sure not to indulge yourself in saturated and trans fat containing foods as well as smoking cigarettes. Both these need to be minimized as well. Hypertension is a silent killer, so be sure to follow your doctor’s advice and inform in case you experience any unwanted problems.
