Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a prevalent condition in which the force of blood flow against the walls of the artery is raised. A greater volume of blood pumped per beat by the heart and narrowed arteries and other blood vessels cause resistance to the blood flow, which increases blood pressure. Treatment to lower blood pressure includes lifestyle changes in diet and exercise and hypertension medications. Niacin, which is also known as nicotinic acid and vitamin B-3, is also prescribed to help lower blood pressure.Talk to your physician before using niacin for any medicinal purpose.
Step 1
Take the recommended daily allowance of 20 mg per day of niacin. Niacin works by acting as a vasodilator, which means it helps to open the arteries to allow more blood flow through them. This helps to lower cholesterol, protect against cardiovascular disease and reduce elevated blood pressure.
Step 2
Ingest niacin prescription medication or supplements to increase the flow of blood through the smaller, more superficial capillary blood vessels which supply the surface of organs and the body. Niacin widens these capillaries up to twice their size so that two or three red blood cells can pass through at a time. This increases blood flow and decreases the resistance against the pumping action of the heart elsewhere in the arteries of the body.
Step 3
Consume niacin to increase cutaneous blood flow to the skin and superficial membranes of the body. This may produce an erythema or ruddiness in the skin called a "niacin flush," which may also feel itchy and warm. However, this flush is not harmful and indicates that the niacin is facilitating blood flow and circulation at the skin and deeper areas of the vascular system. This helps to lower blood pressure.
Tips and Warnings
- If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about prescription niacin treatments. Also add food that contains niacin to your diet, including lean meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, eggs, nuts, and enriched cereals and breads. Monitor your blood pressure. Visit your doctor for regular checkups and monitor your blood pressure regularly at home.
- Uncontrolled blood pressure increases your risks of diseases such as heart disease and stroke. It is important to regularly monitor your blood pressure, particularly if you have diabetes or a family history of hypertension. A healthy blood pressure reading is generally 120/80 mm Hg. A blood pressure reading that is equal to or higher than 140/90 mm Hg is considered high and must be treated. Individuals with diabetes should maintain their blood pressure at or below 130/80 mm Hg.
Things You'll Need
- Blood pressure monitor
- Niacin supplements or prescription medication
