Top Ways To Regulate Your Blood Pressure

Hypertension or high blood pressure is too common in our society; almost 19 million people in America have been prescribed some blood pressure medication. High blood pressure has been shown to lead to cardiovascular disease, atrial blockage, stroke, and much more. Maintaining healthy blood pressure comes from managing stress, proper movement, and eating the right foods. In today’s article, I will share how you can deal with Hypertension naturally.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension develops when the blood pushes too hard against the atrial walls, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. There are stages to your blood pressure;

- Normal levels of blood pressure are 120/80

- Elevated blood pressure 129/80

- Stage 1 Hypertension 130-139/80-89

- Stage 2 Hypertension 140 or higher/ 90 or higher

Anything above 180/120 is an emergency, and you should seek medical help immediately. High blood pressure can cause a heart attack, stroke, and more if not treated properly. If you do not check it every so often, then being aware of the natural symptoms of higher blood pressure is critical. Those symptoms are tingling in your face, a higher heart rate, feelings of stress or anxiety frequently for no reason, shortness of breath, and severe headache.

How Stress Affects Blood Pressure

When we feel stressed, our blood vessels narrow, and our blood pressure temporarily rises—what if we think emphasized numerous times each day for days? Stress itself may not be directly linked to Hypertension. Still, the hormones that come with overwhelming emotions are what can cause damage to your arteries, and that can lead to Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or even worse. Too much stress can damage our blood vessels, kidneys, and other vital body parts. In addition, people struggle with chronic stress/anxiety; when you feel stressed or anxious each day for endless amounts of time, this can cause systemic inflammation, heart attacks, Hypertension, and much more.

How Food Affects Blood Pressure

Food plays a significant role in our blood pressure; when we consume food, our blood pressure generally drops a little, but when we consume sugary, salty processed foods, it causes our body to retain fluid, raising our blood pressure. Processed foods contain a lot of preservatives and sodium, so they have a longer shelf life. These preservatives and sodium affect our blood by increasing free radicals in the blood, causing our blood pressure to rise. Mix this with a stress-filled lifestyle, and you have a recipe for Hypertension. If you notice, when you feel stressed, you are usually more drawn to foods containing sugar or salt, which causes your blood pressure to rise. Eliminating these foods from your diet is the best way to decrease the chances of your blood pressure getting out of hand. Some of the foods that you should avoid are as follows:

- Frozen tv dinners

- Processed/packaged foods

- Non-organic canned foods

- Non-organic quality pickles

- Deli meat

- Sugar

All these foods contain preservatives and artificial ingredients that have been proven to raise blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Of course, salt is good to have in your diet, but it is recommended by most doctors that you don’t exceed 2300mg a day, which should be combined with exercise so that you use some of that sodium as energy.

How To Heal From Hypertension

If you suffer from high blood pressure or even Hypertension, you can heal from that naturally with the following tips:

- Whole food-based diet- The foods we consume can hurt how our body responds to them. Whole foods are what contain the proper nutrients that help cleanse the blood and prevent inflammation from becoming an issue. A great tip here is to stick to darker-colored fruits and vegetables, quality-sourced meats, and good sources of fats. They contain the most antioxidants, vitamins, and other essential nutrients that help to manage stress and lower blood pressure. Some of the best foods to include in your diet are:

· Citrus fruits

· Salmon

· Swiss chard

· Pumpkin seeds

· Berries

· Carrots

· Celery

· Broccoli

· Greek yogurt

· Chia seeds

· Beets

· Spinach

- Stress management- Our emotions are what control every action we have in life. Stress can dictate every habit to every decision we make; not having it under control can create havoc in our bodies. The best way to manage your stress is through journaling, taking time to decompress after work, going for walks, and meditation. Stress is not the main culprit for high blood pressure, but it is a driving factor in how your body responds. Knowing how much you stress can save you years of your life.

- Proper supplementation- Taking the correct supplements can help you regulate your blood pressure. Some of the supplements is recommended are:

· Vitamin D

· Magnesium

· CoQ10

· Vitamin B-2, B-9, B-6

· Potassium

· L-Arginine

· Vitamin C

· Omega-3 fish oil

· Beet root extract

· Probiotics

*Always ask your physician before implementing other supplements if you are already taking blood pressure medication.

- Exercise- Creating a consistent exercise routine has been shown to lower blood pressure by strengthening your heart. A stronger heart can push more blood with less effort. Start walking a couple of days a week and implement some bodyweight exercises to help build strength and maintain proper muscle.

- Drink plenty of water- Water is the vessel for nutrients to be carried through our body and cleanse the blood. Therefore, drinking the correct amount of water daily is necessary to lower your blood pressure. If you are very active, too, I recommend drinking about 1 gallon to 1.5 gallons a day. If you are sedentary, drink 0.75 gallons to 1 gallon daily for proper hydration.

Healing begins with self-awareness and understanding how your stress, eating, and move will help you build the lifestyle necessary to live a long and healthy life.