High blood pressure, also known medically as hypertension, refers to a chronic medical condition that involves unusually elevated blood pressure. While it is mild, among cardiovascular disorders, it serves as a risk factor for several heart diseases like coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. The following are the causes, signs and symptoms, and remedies for hypertension.
Causes
Hypertension has several causes. According to Web MD, these include age and genetics, which are non-modifiable. The modifiable risk factors include, smoking, being overweight or obese, lack of physical activity, excessive salt in the diet, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Signs and Symptoms
Hypertension also presents a number of signs and symptoms. According to Web MD, they are severe headache, fatigue, confusion, vision problems, chest pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, presence of blood in the urine, and pounding in the chest, neck, and ears. According to the American Heart Association, dizziness, facial flushing or redness, as well as presence of blood spots in the eyes are indirectly related symptoms.
Home Remedies
While antihypertensive medications are available in the market, home remedies can also be done to resolve hypertension.
Less Salt
Sodium attracts and retains water in the body, thus fluid volume, blood volume, and blood pressure will rise. As an answer to this, a person should limit his salt intake. This means less consumption of salty foods, such as processed foods, chips, and fries. According to Everyday Roots, the person should also read the food labels during shopping at the grocery or supermarket, with 2,300 as the notable daily intake for sodium. This way, fluid retention and blood pressure rise will be prevented.
Well-Balanced Diet
A well-balanced diet is an answer to many disorders, such as hypertension. According to Mayo Clinic, an ideal diet is rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Also, consuming low-fat dairy products aids in the reduction in the blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg, as per Mayo Clinic. According to the publication, while it is a challenge for some to modify their diet, they may keep a food diary to know their food consumption on a daily basis, consider eating potassium-rich foods because it reduces the effects of sodium on the blood pressure, and be a smart shopper by reading the food labels and sticking to the healthy-eating goal.
Lemons
An interesting food selection as remedy for hypertension is lemon. According to Top 10 Home Remedies, lemons have the power to enhance the flexibility and pliability of the blood vessels; this way, blood will flow in a wider vessel, preventing the rise in blood pressure. As per the publication, lemons are also rich in vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant and bar the adverse effects of free radicals in the body. The person may drink a cup of warm water with the juice from a half lemon every morning, as per the publication. Salt and sugar are not added for best results.
Exercise
Exercise is another remedy for hypertension. While physical movement may cause a rise in blood pressure, exercising for 30 minutes to an hour on a daily basis helps reduce the blood pressure by four to nine mmHg, as per Health Line. As per the publication, the person may consult his family doctor for a safe exercise routine if he has been inactive for a while. A person may also engage with exercise by starting slowly to adapt with the speed and frequency of his routine. Along with aerobics, other forms of exercise include jogging, swimming, and hiking.
Hypertension is not as severe as other heart disease, but it puts a person at risk of developing them. Thus, persistence of high blood pressure may need medical consult for proper assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation.
Source: drwhitaker.com
