Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

Drink Beet Juice to Lower Blood Pressure

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:53:32 +0000

It’s no secret that beets have been shown to contain health building properties, now more recent research is showing that it can lower blood pressure. Scientists at the Queen Mary University of London found that drinking beet juice lowered blood pressure to a healthy level within 24 hours. The effectiveness matches that of prescription nitrate tablets that treat hypertension. They key is the organic form of nitrate which increases the levels of gas nitric oxide in the circulation. It is a type of biological messenger in the body. It signals the smooth muscle tissues to relax and increases blood flow which leads to lowering blood pressure. In their research they found that only a small amount of juice is needed, only 250 ml to have the desired effect. Also the higher the blood pressure at the start, the greater the decrease caused by the nitrate. This shows promise for those looking for a natural approach to reduce their risk.

Anxiety May Increase Heart Disease

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:00:47 +0000

When I read this study I was not very surprised. People with anxiety disorders also have heart trouble such as an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and death. Many clinics are stressing that it’s important to get treatment for your anxiety as it’s part of managing your heart health as well as your mental health. Currently scientists are conducting research to help them understand the impact of anxiety disorders on medical prognosis so they can produce evidence based on approaches to patient care. There may be a link with anxiety and surges in “fight or flight” hormones that can be related to heart risks, or people that have existing issues with anxiety may be more likely to seek medical attention when they have symptoms related to the heart. It is also possible that there is a common underlying factor that may increase the risk of both anxiety and heart events. Doing what you can to reduce your stress is good overall for your mental and heart health.

Surviving a Heart Attack: More Fear or Motivation?

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:45:12 +0000

For many that have suffered a heart attack, they are always on the edge worried that it may happen again. It almost feels like their body is a time bomb and they don’t know when it’s going to go off. The positive side is that people can become more positive about their life, that they survived and will take better care of themselves. They have things to live for and want to hold onto that. If you are at risk for a heart attack or have had one, it’s time to look at what you can do to reduce your risk and cut out the things that can raise your blood pressure and possibly give you a heart attack.

Eat Chocolate to Lower Blood Pressure

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:44:56 +0000

If you’re not a big fan of taking medications and looking for an alternate route dark chocolate may be a solution. Dark chocolate contains flavanols which naturally open up the blood vessels in the body so that blood can flow more easily and your pressure drops. New research found that people with hypertension could reduce blood pressure by up to 5% by eating dark chocolate. This is equivalent to 30 minutes of daily moderate exercise like brisk walking or swimming. More research needs to be done to find the optimal amount that would be needed to make the most difference but this is pretty good news for people who suffer from high blood pressure.

Eating Less Processed Food Linked to Low Blood Pressure

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:15:45 +0000

Anyone who is at risk for high blood pressure knows they need to limit their salt intake a great deal. What some may not understand is that a lot of their sodium intake can come from eating processed foods. About 75% of the sodium that Americans consume is from processed foods. Make sure at least 75% of what you eat is not from processed foods but from fresh fruits and vegetables. Also be on the look out for foods that you may not think have a lot of sodium in them like raisin bran or cake is loaded with it. If you season your food with salt, look for salt alternatives like nutritional yeast, garlic powder, or curry powder. When you go out to eat ask your server if your meal can be prepared without salt. If you have more control over your salt intake by buying foods with little or no sodium then you can put yourself at a lower risk for high blood pressure.

Pets Have Proven to Improve Life

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:57:47 +0000

Pets are valuable for multiple reasons, besides companionship, a big one being that they can contribute to living a longer, healthier life. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the following benefits can come from owning a pet: lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and a decrease in feelings of loneliness. Also there are increases in opportunities for exercise and socialization. In addition pets can lower anxiety and stress. Pets are a great addition to any home as long as you find the right pet for your household. They bring unconditional love and enhance your life.

Physical Activity for Children with Hypertension

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:28:18 +0000

Children that have hypertension are encouraged to engage in noncompetitive type physical activity to reduce their risk. This is targeted mainly at at those who have hypertension that are obese athletes and individuals with spinal cord injuries. Lifestyle modifications including daily exercise and a well-balanced diet are advised. Those with blood pressure issues should be measured every 6 months and their use of medication, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco should be monitored as they can have significant effects on blood pressure. Noncompetitive physical activity is best but if they are properly monitored and they adopt healthy behaviors in their daily routine they may be ok to participate in competitive physical activity.

Drinking May Raise Blood Pressure

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:15:50 +0000

A recent study has shown that drinking alcohol even in moderate amounts can boost your blood pressure. people that have a genetic mutation that makes consuming alcohol difficult had lower blood pressure than regular or heavy drinkers. people without this mutation who had about 3 drinks per day had significantly higher blood pressure than those with the mutation who drank small amounts or not at all. High blood pressure affects more than a billion adults worldwide and can lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. Limiting your alcohol consumption seems to be necessary for those who are at risk for high blood pressure

Processed Meats Shown to Raise Risk of Diabetes and Heart Disease

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:53:53 +0000

A Recent article published in the journal “Circulation” shows that those that eat processed meats have a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. The study covered more than one million people from 10 different countries. It was found that eating 2 ounces of processed meat each day resulted in a 42% increase in the risk of heart disease and a 19% increase in the risk of diabetes. The researchers concluded that it is the processed salt and chemical additives in the processed meat that caused the issues. Sodium nitrite is a poison that is in most processed meats used as a color fixer. It makes dead gray meat look red and fleshy. It seems that only those consumers who are ignorant of the true health risks are still buying and eating processed meats like bacon, sausage, and beef jerky.

Working Overtime Can Boost Heart Attack Risk

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:53:37 +0000

According to a recent study by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki people who put in long hours at work increase their risk of dying from heart disease and heart attack. The study showed that people who work three or more hours of overtime in a day have a 60% increased risk of heart-related problems. Researchers are not clear as to why working overtime increases the risk but they speculate that those that choose to work overtime may be those with a so-called type A personality. These personality types are more aggressive, competitive, tense and time conscious. It is also a possibility that people who have more freedom over work-related decisions may have a lower risk of heart disease even if they work overtime.