Effective Natural Remedies Against Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is quite frequent and not only in older adults. You must control your blood pressure to avoid the complications of hypertension. Learn about natural remedies to combat hypertension.

You often hear people worry about suffering from hypertension. In general, they are adults and older. However,  young people, and even children, can also suffer from high blood pressure. To be busy and not worry, it is best to know what foods and daily habits to take into account to prevent or treat hypertension.

Read also How yoga can help control high blood pressure

What is hypertension?

Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels.  It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). High blood pressure means that the pressure of the blood on the arteries is higher than it should be. This is called hypertension or high blood pressure.

High blood pressure has no symptoms. So the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is through regular checkups when you visit your doctor. He will use a meter, a stethoscope, or an electronic sensor and a blood pressure cuff to take your blood pressure.

There are two measurements to take into account to determine if the pressure is high:

• One is the systolic pressure, which refers to the blood pressure during the pumping of the heart.
• The other is diastolic pressure, which is the blood pressure when the heart rests between beats.

Blood pressure is normal when the blood pressure monitor reads 120/80 mmHg. The first number corresponds to the systolic and the second to the diastolic.

Read also The importance of visiting the doctor regularly

Consequences of hypertension

When blood pressure stays high for a long time, it causes the heart to pump harder and work too hard. This can lead to serious health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.

Some of these conditions can be fatal if not controlled or treated in time.

Causes of high blood pressure

Certain factors affect the increase in blood pressure. Some of them are closely linked with bad habits that can be modified:

• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• High sodium diet
• Ingestion of medications such as contraceptives or flu
• Sedentary lifestyle

There may also be genetic factors that cause hypertension. In fact, it is considered that arterial hypertension results from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors.

 Natural remedies against hypertension

Beyond the cause that originates it , certain natural remedies and changing habits can help fight high blood pressure.

Garlic

Garlic is commonly known as the seasoning against hypertension. Some people consume a clove of garlic a day  and this would be sufficient. It can also be used as a condiment. Also, on the market you can buy garlic powder capsules, for those who do not like its taste.

Olive oil

Olive oil has multiple properties and among them is contributing to the proper functioning of the circulatory system. In addition, it helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. Olive oil is a natural source of health-promoting monounsaturated fatty acids.

Dark chocolate

The higher the percentage of cocoa, the more health properties chocolate has.

When it comes to hypertension, more than 70% cocoa and no added sugar is recommended. This is because cocoa contains flavonoids, natural antioxidants that act against hypertension.

Read also The benefits of cocoa on our immune system

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is known to help lower blood cholesterol levels. The increase in cholesterol directly influences the increase in blood pressure.

Oatmeal can be eaten for breakfast. If the case of hypertension or high cholesterol is severe, it can be consumed in another way:

1. First, the rolled oats are soaked overnight.
2. The next morning it is strained and the liquid is drunk.

Apple

Apple skin contains flavonoids, just like dark chocolate. For this reason, when suffering from hypertension, it is recommended to consume it without peeling, to take advantage of all its properties.

The skin of the fruit constitutes, in most cases, the main source of vitamins.

Parsley and lemon smoothie

Parsley is a powerful diuretic. We must not forget that fluid retention can raise blood pressure levels. Therefore, this drink is recommended against hypertension. It also helps to eliminate sodium through urine.

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 1 glass of water
• 2 tablespoons of parsley (30 g)

Preparation

1. First, cut the lemon, without removing the peel, and add it to the blender along with the glass of water and the parsley.
2. Then process for a few minutes.
3. Finally, strain and consume it on an empty stomach.

Pineapple

The diuretic properties of this fruit make it one of the first options when fighting hypertension.

• Pineapple can be consumed both in juice and sliced.
• It is always recommended not to add sugar, since sugar causes overweight and that is precisely one of the factors that affects hypertension.