Blood pressure is the amount of force that pushes against artery
walls to get blood through the body. If the force is too strong for too long,
arteries weaken over time.
In the United States, 70 million people—that’s almost 1 of every
3—have high blood pressure. In Canada, it’s 1 in 6. Hypertension increases the
risk of heart disease, artheriosclerosis,
stroke, and kidney
failure. Managing this condition is therefore critical
not just for all-around health and feeling good but to prevent life-threatening
illness.
Two Types of Hypertension:
Hypertension can be hereditary or acquired through a high-risk
lifestyle. There are 2 types: essential (primary) and secondary.
In the case of essential hypertension, there’s no apparent cause
and it gradually develops over many years. Secondary hypertension is usually
associated with another condition(s):
·
Obstructive sleep
apnea.
·
Kidney problems.
·
Adrenal gland tumors.
·
Thyroid problems.
·
Certain congenital
blood defects.
There are several risk
factors for high blood pressure:
·
Age.
·
Excessive use of alcohol
or drugs of any kind.
·
Overweight.
·
Race – high blood
pressure is more common in African Americans than white Americans.
·
Sedentary lifestyle.
·
Stress.
·
Tobacco use.
·
Chronic vitamin D
and/or potassium deficiency over time.
·
Too much salt.
·
Other chronic conditions
such as diabetes and kidney disease.
If you have high blood
pressure and the medication may kill you faster than the hypertension itself,
what can you do?
How To Manage High Blood Pressure:
1. Lower your salt
intake.
A 2012 study concluded:
Dietary salt intake
reduction can delay or prevent the incidence of antihypertensive therapy, can
facilitate blood pressure reduction in hypertensive patients receiving medical
therapy, and may represent a simple cost-saving mediator to reduce cardiovascular
morbidity and mortality.
There are other
flavorings you can use instead of salt that have real health benefits,
like turmeric and nutritional yeast.
2. Exercise can’t be
stressed enough.
A 2007 study
declared: “Exercise is a cornerstone therapy for the prevention, treatment
and control of hypertension.”
3. Avoid
foods that exacerbate hypertension, like
processed meats, ramen noodles, alcohol, and anything with high sodium content.
Below is a recipe for hypertension tea that is
delicious and will provide nutrients to reduce blood pressure.
Celery contains phthalides,
phytonutrients that act to reduce constriction in artery walls, allowing
increased blood flow.
Red dates contain high
levels of potassium, a nutrient known to lessen the effects of sodium in the
bloodstream, thereby reducing blood pressure.
Ingredients:
·
2 quarts water.
·
7 ounces of organic
celery.
·
2 ounces red dates.
Instructions:
1. Wash and clean celery and red dates.
2. Cut celery into small sections.
3. Put all ingredients in a soup pot and simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Strain the chunks from the liquid.
5. Drink the tea as often as possible.
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