Signs of high blood pressure are usually not obvious until it has been high for so long that the symptoms are life threatening. Hypertension may be the side effect of another illness, such as kidney disease, or may be a stand-alone disease created by poor lifestyle habits, smoking and overeating. Most people treat their hypertension with pharmaceutical drugs, but there are other non-conventional options to choose from if you would like to avoid medications.
Step 1
Make lifestyle changes. According to the American Heart Association, smoking cigarettes and overeating are directly linked to hypertension. Follow an exercise plan, change your diet, and stop smoking to see significant changes in blood pressure.
Step 2
Lower your sodium intake, advises FamilyDoctor.org. Some people are more prone than others to sodium's effect on the body. Reduce salt in your diet and replace it with other spices to make up for flavor loss.
Step 3
Limit your alcohol intake. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), alcohol not only raises blood pressure, but puts on calories and is harmful to the brain, heart and liver.
Step 4
Drink more water to stay hydrated. When your body becomes dehydrated, all systems go into an emergency survival mode, creating stress, which raises your blood pressure.
Step 5
Reduce the amount of stress in your life and make time to relax daily, suggests the Healthy Holistic Living website. Learn about relaxation techniques such as Reiki and bio-feedback. Get a massage or take time to read a book. Do something that you enjoy and take a break from those activities and circumstances that cause you to get worked up and over-stressed.
Step 6
Take supplements to reduce blood pressure levels and help you relax. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, coenzyme Q-10 and vitamin C all help reduce stress in your system and lower blood pressure. Add calcium supplements to your daily routine. Calcium helps to relax the body, so take it before going to bed to help bring on restful, stress-free sleep.
Step 7
Ask a holistic health care practitioner about using herbal preparations such as mistletoe, bugleweed and hawthorne, all known to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. Herbs may have dangerous side effects, so consult an expert in herbal medicine for directions and dosing before using herbs on your own.
Step 8
Get plenty of sleep to help regenerate and rest your body. Healthful sleep is necessary for stress reduction and overall good health.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are taking conventional medicines for high blood pressure and wish to discontinue their use, consult your doctor before doing so. Some medications must be reduced slowly to avoid side effects.
- The suggestions offered here are for educational purposes and not meant to take the place of your doctor or health care practitioner's advice.
