High blood pressure is a very serious and potentially life-threatening condition. In 2006, 326,000 Americans died directly from high blood pressure or indirectly from complications associated with it, according to the Centers for Disease Control. About one in three adults in the United States have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and a wide variety of other illnesses.
Step 1
Consult with your physician. You'll want to know if your blood pressure is high and whether using cinnamon to lower it would be a safe and effective treatment for you.
Step 2
Add a couple of teaspoons of cinnamon to your diet each day. Use cinnamon on toast or in tea.
Step 3
Replace salt and sodium products, which are known to raise blood pressure, with spices such as cinnamon. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests cinnamon as a healthy substitute for salt on vegetables, breads, salads and snacks in their guide for reducing blood pressure.
Step 4
Reduce the amount of sugar used in baking and replace it with cinnamon, according to MayoClinic.com. Reducing sugar can help you lose weight. Obesity is directly linked to high blood pressure.
Step 5
Use cinnamon in cooking healthy meals with fresh ingredients as an alternative to prepared foods. Fast foods are usually high in sodium and can lead to hypertension.
Step 6
Monitor your blood pressure frequently and keep a journal of your results to gauge whether your blood pressure is getting lower. Purchase a home blood pressure cuff, or you can measure it at many pharmacies and drug stores. Blood pressure comprises two numbers: the top number, or diastolic; and the bottom number, or systolic. The American Heart Association (reference 4) defines hypertension as a diastolic reading higher than 140 or a systolic measurement higher than 90.
Step 7
Take all medications as prescribed by your physician. Never replace a prescription drug with a home remedy.
Step 8
Exercise as approved by your doctor. Cinnamon is delicious and may boast many health benefits, but it cannot take the place of exercise in reducing blood pressure.
Step 9
Schedule a return visit to your physician for a professional evaluation of whether cinnamon is lowering your blood pressure and not complicating any other conditions you may have.
Step 10
Discontinue using cinnamon if you suspect an allergy or other bad reaction to it. Symptoms may include swelling and discomfort in the lips and mouth, along with rashes and hives.
Things You'll Need
- Cinnamon
- Blood pressure cuff
- Note paper
- Pencil
References
- Centers for Disease Control: High Blood Pressure Fact Sheet
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure
- MayoClinic.com: DASH diet: Top 5 Tips for Shopping and Cooking
- American Heart Association: High Blood Pressure
- American Dental Association: Intraoral Contact Allergy
