1. Decompress and Unwind
Treating high blood pressure is vital to protecting your heart and overall health. When blood pressure rises, it affects the body like a stretched rubber band. Blood vessels tighten, squeeze and, left in that condition, weaken blood vessel walls and may cause strokes or heart attacks. Your blood pressure reading goes up and down over the course of the day. Blood pressure reacts to stress, emotional tension and physical exertion. When your blood pressure goes high and stays high, it's important to treat it. Aim to keep your blood pressure reading under 140/90 as much as possible. Consistently high readings (over 140/90) are usually defined as hypertension. Most doctors consider 120/80 a perfect blood pressure reading.
2. Take Action
Get active and stay active. Regular exercise helps to lower high blood pressure and keep it low. Something as simple as a 30-minute walk each day gets the body active and the blood flowing freely. Start slow if you haven't exercised for awhile. Start with 5 to 10 minutes of walking per day and work your way up.
3. Breathe Deep to Bring It Down
Deep breathing brings high blood pressure down in many people. Sit quietly in a comfortable position. Inhale deeply, all the way down until you feel your belly button rise. Exhale slowly through your mouth. Continue deep breathing for about 15 to 20 minutes. Doing this regularly often keeps blood pressure in normal readings.
4. Eat Your Way Down
Lower your blood pressure by eating the right kinds of foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables (especially celery stalks) and fish are great for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Dairy foods such as yogurt are good for blood pressure health. Taking food supplements such as potassium, calcium and magnesium work for many people. Researchers in America have found that heart attack victims often have lower than healthy magnesium concentrations in the blood. There are divided opinions concerning the relation of salt/sodium to high blood pressure. Some people may be sensitive to salt and high amounts in the diet may cause high blood pressure.
5. Blood Pressure Up? Drink Down!
Apple cider vinegar reduces high blood pressure. Put 2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar in a pint of water and drink daily. It doesn't taste very good, but the benefits outweigh the taste. For a better taste, add a spoonful of honey and use warm water so the honey will melt. Instead of salad dressing, try apple cider vinegar mixed with a little oil on your salads. Unbelievably, drinking plenty of ice water is another one of the natural blood pressure treatments. Of course, if natural treatments fail, medication may be required for some people.
