Cheap cures for hypertension (alternative and complimentary

Live healthy and long

August 29, 2015

From Web MD

From Mayo Clinic - 10 ways to control hypertension without medication

From Prevention - 13 power foods that reduce blood pressure


Silent killer

Hypertension, high blood pressure is a lifestyle disease that comes as a result of modern day living.  Perhaps, the stone age people did not have hypertension.  It is a silent killer.   Millions die annually as a result of high blood pressure.  Hypertension could lead to fatal stroke (injury to the brain because a blood vessel ruptured) or heart attack (the heart stopped beating because of occluded blood vessel, or a blood vessel in the heart ruptured)

Despite many articles on the subject matter, high blood pressure still persist because the gudelines are disregarded or ignored by the public at large.

Causes:

1.  Smoking
2.  Regular and heavy drinking of alcoholic drinks
3.  Stress
4.  Fatty diet
5.  Sedentary living

Cheap cures (complimentary and alternative cures)

You see your doctor, you undergo a work/out, check up, and he prescribes western pharma medicine

What are the alternative cures:

1.  Diet

• Eating more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods
• Cutting back on foods that are high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat
• Eating more whole grain products, fish, poultry, and nuts
• Eating less red meat and sweets
• Eating foods that are rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium

2.  Exercise:

    Walking

    Biking

    Jogging

A solid body of evidence shows that men and women of all age groups who are physically active have a decreased risk of developing high blood pressure. Findings from multiple studies indicate thatexercise can lower blood pressure as much as some drugs can. People with mild and moderately elevated blood pressure who exercise 30 to 60 minutes three to four days per week (walking, jogging, cycling, or a combination) may be able to significantly decrease their blood pressure readings.

"Exercise is medicine"

3.  Breathing and stress management

Blood pressure increases when a person is under emotional stress and tension, but whether or not psychological interventions aimed at stress reduction can decrease blood pressure in patients withhypertension is not clear.

Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that ancient relaxation methods that include controlled breathing and gentle physical activity, such as yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi, are beneficial. People with mild hypertension who practiced these healing techniques daily for two to three months experienced significant decreases in their bloodpressure, had lower levels of stress hormones, and were less anxious.

The results of a recent small study suggest that a daily practice of slow breathing (15 minutes a day for 8 weeks) brought about a substantial reduction in blood pressure. However, these findings need to be confirmed in larger and better-designed studies before these ancient healing techniques are recommended as effective non-pharmacological approaches to treating hypertension. Still, possible benefits, coupled with minimal risks, make these gentle practices a worthwhile activity to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle.

Note: It is important that inactive older people or those with chronic health problems be evaluated by their doctor before starting a program of any physical activity, including Tai Chi, Qigong, or yo