Firstly, following the treatment that their doctor prescribes for them is important. In many cases this means making changes to diet as well as quitting habits which increase the risk of high blood pressure.
It is estimated that as many as 50% of people who have been prescribed medication for high blood pressure do not follow the prescription as outlined.
The majority of cases of malignant hypertension (really high blood pressure) come about from people who misuse or do not follow prescriptions correctly. Malignant hypertension is very serious and requires immediate attention as it can be damaging to major organs and vital functions.
An excess amount of salt in the diet can make the condition worse. It was discovered that diets high in sodium/salt increase the risk of high blood pressure, as salt helps the body to retain water resulting in the heart having to work much harder than it should due to the increased level of fluid it has to pump around the body.
On average adults should only consume around about 2,400 mg of salt per day which averages out at about 1 teaspoon a day. Currently, it is estimated that most people in the US are consuming between 4,000 and 6,000 mg each day.
Lifestyle choices, including smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can impact blood pressure levels, and they should be reduced or be stopped altogether. Nicotine and the chemicals in cigarettes can cause serious damage to the arteries by clogging them with fat which results in yet more pressure being placed on your heart in order to push the blood through the arteries which have become constricted.
Alcohol contains high levels of refined sugars, which can unfortunately cause further complications and allow cholesterol to build up in the body.
If exercise could be bottled, it would be called a miracle drug. Even a small amount of regular exercise can lower blood pressure, and it can reduce appetite and help a person lose weight, another risk factor for high blood pressure.
If a person is overweight then the risk of elevated blood pressure increase. Generally, losing weight is a by-product of a blood pressure dietary treatment plan.
Continue reading to discover more natural methods to control blood pressure and sign up for our free newsletter.
If you want to take a natural approach to treating high blood pressure there are certain herbs and foods that have been shown in trials to be beneficial, including Garlic, Hawthorn and CoQ10. However, it is important to speak with your doctor to ensure there are no interactions with other medication you may be taking.
High blood pressure control comes from understanding the condition fully, and knowing what steps can be taken to lower blood pressure levels, and what has the potential of raising them, and then proceeding with common sense.
