1. Beware Prescription Drugs for Treating High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is rampant in today's society, and stress seems to be the main cause. Although family history is responsible for some cases, many people with high blood pressure have no family history of it. The medical community treats most cases by placing a patient on long term medication. Some of these medications have a very detrimental effect. Blood pressure drugs such as beta blockers actually lead to a higher incidence of heart attacks.
2. Treatment Changes are Taking Place
Physicians now do not put hypertensive patients on long term drug therapy. Instead, they treat these patients with changes in lifestyle, diet and supplementation of herbs such as ginger. Ginger stimulates the sweat glands and the circulatory system, bringing the blood to the periphery of the body. This effect helps hypertension patients. Ginger also inhibits platelet aggregation in the bloodstream. The chance of heart attack and stroke is lessened by this reduction of the aggregation. Ginger is available in pill form.
3. Keep Your Doctor in the Loop
Ginger interacts poorly with medications used to lower blood pressure. Consult your doctor before increasing your dietary consumption of ginger. This will allow the doctor to adjust any of the medications that you currently take to avoid serious side effects. Be aware that if you have any surgery planned, you may have to stop taking ginger to avoid any complications.
4. Spice Up Your Life
Increase your intake of ginger by adding it as seasoning to your meals and dishes. Experiment with blends of herbs to flavor your food; ginger, garlic and hot peppers are especially tasty. This particular blend of herbs is perfect for patients dealing with high blood pressure in that all three herbs lower high blood pressure. One effect of substituting ginger for salt is that as you continue to use it, your body will crave salt less over time.
