HIgh Blood Pressure
What does it mean to have high blood pressure aka “hypertension”?
Hypertension (HTN) is medically known as high BP. The force of your blood as it rushes through the arteries in your body is known as blood pressure. When your blood travels through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal, you have high blood pressure (hypertension).
Extensively uncontrolled high blood pressure puts you at risk for heart stroke, certain heart diseases. In fatal conditions it may be even worse and lead to heart attack or even kidney failure.
Your blood pressure usually keeps fluctuates throughout the day.
However, if it continues to rise, it’s a matter of much concern.
There are two techniques to check your blood pressure
- The pressure in your arteries while your heart beats is known as Systolic Blood Pressure.
- Diastolic blood pressure, this is the pressure in your arteries in between your heartbeats.
The systolic blood pressure number is on top, and the diastolic blood pressure number is on the bottom, when you get a blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure that is less than 120/80 mm HG is normal.
High blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg or more.
HTN: 90 to 95% of cases are for primary HTN, (high BP) in this no medical cause can be found.
If we discuss about hypertension, it is also of two types:
Primary, essential hypertension: caused by the body’s own mechanism (most common) Secondary high blood pressure is caused by any other already existing medical condition or use of certain medicines.
Primary hypertension: It develops over a long period of time.
It is most likely the outcome of your lifestyle, surroundings, and how your body develops as you get older.
Secondary hypertension: Many factors can cause hypertension, like
Kidney problems
Sleep apnea
Thyroid or adrenal gland problems.
Some medicines
Tension
Stress etc.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypertension?
The majority of people who have high blood pressure don’t show any signs or symptoms.
It is very important to get your routine blood pressure checked on a regular basis (especially after 18 and plus years of age).
In certain people, high blood pressure can induce headaches, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath.
Although, such symptoms can be due to a many other things (serious or non-serious).
When blood pressure has raised to a dangerously high level over time, these symptoms frequently develop.
What factors contribute to high blood pressure?
Your doctor can help you in understanding the source of what underlying conditions are causing your rise in BP:
- A high- salt, fat, and/or cholesterol diet.
- Long- term illnesses such renal and hormone issues, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
- A family history of high blood pressure, especially if your parents or other near relatives have it.
- Insufficient physical activity.
- Growing old (the older you are, the more likely you are to have high blood pressure).
- Obesity, often known as being overweight.
- Ethnicity (non- Hispanic black people are more likely to have high blood pressure than people of other races).
- Birth control pills and other medications.
- Stress.
- Tobacco usage or excessive alcohol consumption.
What is the best way to reveal and understand if you have high blood pressure?
The best time to check your blood pressure is in the morning, 20-30 minutes after you get up. Normal BP: 120 on top and less than 80 on the bottom is considered normal. When monitoring blood pressure in the left and right arms, a difference of more than 10 units indicates that the body has excessive blood pressure that needs to be regulated. Prehypertension values range from 120 to 139 on the upper end and 80 to 89 on the lower end. Stage 1 high blood pressure is 140-159 on top and 90-99 on bottom; stage 2 high blood pressure is 160 or more on top and 100 or more on bottom. After the age of 18, have your blood pressure checked every two years at the absolute least.
Can high blood pressure be prevented or avoided?
The truth is, having high blood pressure is a serious health risk—it boosts the chances of leading killers such as heart attack and stroke, as well as aneurysms, cognitive decline, and kidney failure. What’s more, high blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of death for nearly 500,000 people every year, as per the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, and dancing can all help you lower your blood pressure. Having your blood pressure tested on a regular basis is crucial.
Try high- intensity interval training, which involves alternating brief bursts of intense exertion with intervals of lighter activity.
If you have high blood pressure and want to see rapid results, lie down and take several deep breaths.
This is how you can lower your blood pressure in minutes by slowing your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure.
When you’re stressed, hormones are generated that cause your blood vessels to constrict.
If you have high blood pressure due to lifestyle factors, you can take the following steps to lower your risk
Lose weight
Stop smoking
Eat properly
Exercise
Lower your salt intake
Reduce your alcohol consumption
Learn relaxation methods
Questions to consult with your doctor
What exactly is the source causing me to develop high BP?
Could you suggest me simple workouts?
How can I naturally control my BP?
How much salt is too much salt?
What food should I avoid?
How can I relax?
Treatment for hypertension
The best way to lower down your BP begins with your lifestyle changes and also reduces your risk of heart diseases. Your doctor may also recommend Antihypertensive medications.
The goal of treatment is to get your blood pressure back to where it should be.
This procedure is really effective.
If only medicine is assumed to be the only way to control your blood pressure, you will have to be dependent on take it for the rest of your life.
It’s usual to need more than one medication to keep your blood pressure under control.
Stopping your medicine without first consulting your doctor is not a good idea.
If you don’t, you may increase your risks of having a stroke or heart attack.
There are drugs that can assist relax your blood vessels, reduce the force with which your heart beats, and stop nerve activity that can constrict your blood vessels.
Although blood pressure medications can lower blood pressure, they can also induce adverse effects such leg cramps, disorientation, and insomnia.
The good news is that most people can reduce their numbers without resorting to medicines.
Lifestyle changes are a crucial part of preventing and treating high blood pressure.
Naturally occurring best herbs to cure High BP
Garlic (Allium sativum): It provides antioxidative and antihypertensive effect.
Ginger root (Zingiber officinale): It is commonly used in Asian cooking. It improves blood circulation while also relaxing muscles.
Tulsi/ Basil (Ocimumbasilicum): crude extract of O. basilicum causes a fall in systolic, diastolic BP.
Carrot (Daucus carota): It has been used to treat HTN in traditional medicine.
Radish (Raphanus sativus): The plant radish (Raphanus sativus) has been proven to have antihypertensive properties.
Prickly Custard apple (Annona muricata): The leaf extract of the plant lowers elevated BP.
Green Oats (Avena sativa): A diet containing soluble fiber-rich whole oats can significantly reduce the need for antihypertensive medication and improve BP control. It may significantly reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Cocoa powder (Theobroma cacao): Chocolate, Cocoa Bean, Cocoa Butter etc. are enriched with flavonoid constituents, is used for preventing cardiovascular disease.
Black bean (Castanospermum austral): Crude extract causes a fall in systolic as well as diastolic BP.
Some other herbs which can help to control high BP are
1. Citrus fruits
2. Salmon and other fatty fish
4. Pumpkin seeds
5. Beans and lentils
6. Berries
7. Amaranth
8. Pistachios
9. Carrots
10. Tomatoes
11. Broccoli
12. Greek yogurt
13. Herbs and spices
14. Chia and flax seeds
15. Beets
16. Spinach
17. Green oats etc.
18. Celery (Apium graveolens)
Without taking any drugs in the beginning of BP symptoms, try these natural strategies to decrease your blood pressure.
Those symptoms, however, can be confused for a range of other issues (serious or non-serious).
How is high blood pressure treated?
It is correctly said that – There’s no replacement for a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthily and exercising regularly will do far more efforts naturally in lowering blood pressure.
The most effective treatment for high blood pressure is a maintaining a correct blend of medication and lifestyle changes.
When paired with other lifestyle modifications, a nutritious diet can help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Even scarier? According to the CDC, just 24% of persons with high blood pressure have it under control. If you haven’t had your levels checked in at least two years, see a doctor. High blood pressure is defined as a reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher. (The top number is systolic blood pressure; the bottom number is diastolic blood pressure.)
Anima medicine
This herbal medicine by Yogveda, India is the first line treatment for high blood pressure. It consists of 60 tablets. This formulation is totally made with herbal extracts and it works by:
Reducing high blood pressure
Reducing blood volume and maintaining the optimum amount
Stabilizing the heart rate
Reducingcholesterol
Treatment for hypertension
Sarpgandha (Indian snakeroot): root
Brahmijalneem(Bacopa monnieri)(herb of grace): whole plant
Pippali (Long pepper): fruit
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) Well-known as morning-glory
Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna): bark
Excipients
Indications for use
Dose: one tablet twice a day or as suggested by the physician.
Storage: always store in a dry, cool, and dark place (preferably away from sunlight).
Reviews
It’s a Genuine medicine, the best gift of Ayurveda for an old age person like me
(Anil Kumar from Hyderabad)
I am very impressed with this medicine. Got a very good result in very less time. ( Vishal Shaw from north Delhi)
This medicine is no doubt India’s no.1 ayurvedic medicine for high blood pressure. (Rakesh Gupta from Mumbai)
I want to thank health consultant Ankita Lakhere, mam, from Yogveda. She has changed my life with her complete guidance. She explained everything about my disease better than any allopathic doctor so I started following the diet she mentioned which is very helpful for me. I saw Yogveda’s advertisement on Facebook. So I bought the BP package and now my BP is very stable. Thanks a lot, YOGVEDA. (Sejal Sinha – Bangalore)
Great medicine. First time I’ve ordered via the Website and my overall experience with Yogveda is absolutely special as they treat their patients very well.
Great medicine. My father has high blood pressure and noticed the difference immediately. Great price for this medicine and very quick delivery. I would highly recommend Yogveda’s Anima medicine! (Harick John- Kerala)
I am reordering this item, my blood pressure dropped from 180 to 120 over a month, that too in a natural way, I take this tablet the way my consultant guides me and now my blood pressure stays in a normal range. ( Ishtayaq Ahmed- West Bangal )
Overall, this medicine is a wonder at our home, my mom’s high BP drastically dropped within 2 weeks of usage. Now I got it subscribed with Yogveda people to ensure I have it on time.
This is a natural therapy and there are zero side effects to using this medicine.
I’m so happy about my parent’s good health ❤️
Thank you YOGVEDA♥️- Deepesh Sharma from Orissa.
Ordered my second bottle. It is a good and natural alternative to keep BP levels in control. I want to recommend this to everybody have high blood. Start your day with this medicine for a healthier lifestyle. – Laxmi prasad from Imphal
This Gave me good relief in a few days. – Dev Ahuja from Chennai
General steps to be taken to combat high BP
1. Increase your physical activity
Regular exercise, even as basic as walking, appears to be just as effective at lowering blood pressure as regularly used BP drugs.
A good exercise routine usually makes the heart healthier, making it much better at pumping blood.
On most days, doing 30 minutes of cardioyields good results.
You can keep challenging your ticker by increasing speed, distance, or weights over time. Losing few pounds (even few Kgs) of body weight can ease you in lowering blood pressure.
2. Allow yourself to unwind
Stress causes our bodies to release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
These hormones can increase your heart rate and restrict your blood vessels, causing your blood pressure to rise.
Breathing techniques and practises like meditation, yoga, and tai chi, on the other hand, can assist regulate stress hormones and blood pressure.
Start with five minutes of soothing breathing or mindfulness in the morning and five minutes in the evening, and work your way up.
3. Reduce your sodium intake
Although not everyone’s blood pressure is sensitive to salt, everyone could benefit from reducing their intake. The American Heart Association recommends that you consume no more than 1,500 mg and no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day (about a teaspoon). Avoid packaged and processed foods like bread, pizza, poultry, soup, and sandwiches, which contain hidden salt bombs.
4. Choose foods that are high in potassium
Potassium intake of 2,000 to 4,000 mg per day can help reduce blood pressure.
The vitamin causes the kidneys to excrete more salt in the urine.
Although we are all familiar with the potassium content in bananas, foods such as potatoes, spinach, and beans really contain more potassium than the fruit.
Tomatoes, avocados, edamame, melons, and dried fruits are also good sources.
5. Start eating the DASH diet
Along with the Mediterranean diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which was created specifically to reduce blood pressure without medication, is usually regarded as one of the absolute healthiest eating regimens.
The diet emphasises fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy, with daily salt intake capped at 2,300 mg, with an optimal limit of 1,500 mg.
According to research, DASH can lower blood pressure in as little as four weeks and even help with weight loss.
6. Treat yourself to some dark chocolate
The sweet is high in flavanols, which relax blood vessels and increase blood flow, and studies show that eating dark chocolate on a daily basis can help lower blood pressure.
Experts haven’t found a perfect proportion of cocoa,” but “the higher you go, the more benefits you’ll get. Chocolate shouldn’t be your primary approach for controlling blood pressure, but it is a healthy option when you desire a treat.
7. Choose your beverages sensibly
Too much alcohol is known to elevate blood pressure, but a small amount may have the opposite effect.
Light-to-moderate drinking (one drink or less per day) is linked to a decreased incidence of hypertension.
12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits make up one drink.
The study determined that high amounts of alcohol are un-questionably very very harmful, but that what people call “moderate intake” is rarely heart-protective and mostly may be harmful. You must always drink responsibly if you’re going to drink.
8. Make the switch to decaf coffee
Caffeine in one or two cups of coffee boosts both systolic and diastolic blood pressure for up to three hours, tightening blood vessels and amplifying the effects of stress. When you’re stressed, your heart pumps a lot more blood, which raises blood pressure, causing serious effects on cardiovascular health.
“What’s more, caffeine amplifies that effect.”
Decaf has the same flavour as regular coffee but without the negative effects.
9. Start drinking tea
It turns out that decreasing high blood pressure is as simple as drinking one, two, and three cups of tea.
In a study, adults with somewhat elevated blood pressure who drank three cups of naturally caffeine-free hibiscus tea daily for six weeks saw their systolic blood pressure drop by seven points.
In addition, a 2014 meta-analysis indicated that drinking both caffeinated and decaf green tea is linked to a considerable reduction in blood pressure over time.
10. Don't overwork yourself
According to a study, working more than 40 hours per week increases your risk of hypertension by 17 percent.
Investing some time in working out improves your everyday exercise and healthful cooking.
To get into the habit, set an end-of-day reminder on your work computer and depart as soon as possible.