Everyday, thousands of people are put on prescription medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or atherosclerosis because heart disease is the leading cause of death in Americans over the age of 45.  The process seems to begin with an injury in an artery’s lining caused by high blood pressure, smoking or an amino acid called homocystein which is generated by the breakdown of protein in the body.  Cholesterol and other fats get trapped at the damaged site and become oxidized or turn ‘rusty’ and attract an assortment of cells that turn to plaque. The problem with plaque is that it makes blood flow very difficult so it is important to feed your body with foods that can help prevent this oxidation process.  Here are some foods to consider adding to your daily regimen:

.1.  Avocados – contain good fats and potassium that help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and help prevent cancer.  You want to eat about 1/3 of an avocado per day or make some guacemole for a heart healthy snack.

2.  Lentils – are loaded with all sorts of nutrients that protect the heart including folate and fiber.  There are 9 grams of protein in 1/2 cup so they make a great substitute for meat.

3.  Onions – contain sulfur compounds, also found in garlic, that thin your blood and lower blood pressure naturally.  The most quercetin is found in red onions, followed by yellow and white onions, and help prevent oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

4.  Sardines – contain Omega 3’s which decrease blood clotting, prevent heart arrhythmias and fight inflammation throughout the body.

5.  Pumpkin Seeds – are high in Omega 3’s too and help clean up arteries and capillaries.  Sprinkle them on salads or grind them up in a food processor and add to whole grain flour to coat chicken or fish for a delicious main course.

The problem with most high blood pressure remedies is that they are expensive, especially over the long run.

Exercise
Sustained exercise does more than burn calories and help aid you in weight loss. It builds stamina and improves overall strength and endurance, not only in the muscles being worked, but in the heart as well. A stronger heart does not need to work so hard to pump blood throughout your body, which reduces your blood pressure.

Weight Loss
The same is true for substantial weight loss if you are overweight. Studies have shown that even modest weight loss has a significant impact on blood pressure. There is a very strong correlation between obesity and hypertension, and blood pressure steadily drops as you lose weight.

Water
Of all the blood pressure remedies we’ve discussed so far, this one comes as the biggest surprise to many. Recent studies have indicated that persistent hypertension may be a response to chronic dehydration.

When the body is dehydrated, the blood vessels constrict in an effort to hold on to the body’s moisture. That constriction causes what fluids are available to exert more pressure on the blood vessels, increasing blood pressure. So, it stands to reason that an increased intake of water should help relieve that.

Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). It’s measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure (or hypertension) is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure.

High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke, especially when it’s present with other risk factors.

High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.

“Blood pressure” is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways.

There are several different categories of blood pressure and they are the following:

• Normal Rate – not more than 120/80
• Pre-hypertension Rate – 120-139/80-89
• Stage 1 High Blood Pressure -140-159/90-99
• Stage 2 High Blood Pressure – 160 and above/100 and above

People with high blood pressure should immediately consult a doctor for ways to control and it. There are several causes of high blood pressure and they are the following below:

• Obesity
• Smoking and drinking
• No exercise
• Too much salt intake
• Stress
• Genetics (heredity)
• Old age

Hypertension usually does not have any symptoms and as a matter of fact many people do not know that they already have high blood pressure. The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to go to the doctor to have it checked.

The following are possible symptoms of high blood pressure:

• Severe headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain and congestion
• Breathing problems
• Heartbeat irregularities
• Blood in the urine

The following below are most likely to have high blood pressure:

• People who have relatives with hypertension
• Pregnant women
• Women who take contraceptives
• Overweight and obese people
• Physically inactive people
• People who smoke and drink
• People with high intake of salt

High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that may eventually lead to other conditions including:

• Stroke
• Heart attack or heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Vision problems

Hypertension can be dignosed by a doctor or a nurse by using a special device called sphygmomanometer which consists of a pump, arm cuff, dial, valve and a stethoscope. You can also check if you have a high blood pressure at home by using a device that can be purchased in stores. Regular monitoring of your blood pressure is a good way to control hypertension and it should be done at least after every 3 months.

High blood pressure can be controlled by reducing weight through exercising and maintaining a proper diet. Fruits and vegetables are the most recommend food to eat. Also, doctor-prescribed medicines help in lowering blood pressure. To know more about hypertension and how to prevent it, it is best to consult a doctor.

If you have high blood pressure, you will have to take action to treat it. If ignored, hypertension can lead to very serious health problems including stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. So what high blood pressure treatments are the most effective? Find out what works best to keep blood pressure under control.
Healthy lifestyle is the best treatment for high blood pressure

No drug can ever help you to win a battle against high blood pressure for good. The best they can do is to give a temporarily relief. However, by changing your lifestyle habits you can keep your blood pressure under control.

There are 3 major aspects of your life that affect blood pressure

# Exercise

* Diet

* Stress management

Making your heart beating slightly faster than normal from time to time is very important. This doesn’t mean you will have to go the gym every day. Many everyday things count as exercise – house chores, gardening, walking your dog or playing active games with your children are good examples. Walking is the best exercise for high blood pressure, even 15 minutes a day will do wonder.

Most important you should do some exercise every day.

Another essential thing you will have to evaluate is your diet. Do you like souses, pickles and pre-cooked meals? Than you will have to cut it down, because all of the above are extremely high in sodium and sodium affects blood pressure very badly. Add more veggies and fruits to your diet, remove your salt shaker from the table and you will feel much better as your blood pressure lowers.

Every time you stress out, your blood pressure jumps up. And if stress is a permanent part of your life it can constantly keep your readings high. Don’t ignore stress; there are many effective ways to deal with it. For example, you can enroll in a stress relief class or take a yoga or Tai Chi class. Try to find time to do things that you enjoy.

High blood pressure medication

When it comes to high blood pressure drugs, you should never get one without consulting a doctor. If a particular medicine works well for your friend it doesn’t mean it will suit you. Most high blood pressure drugs are prescription drugs, so the only way to get them is to visit your physician first and ask for prescription.

Medication used to control high blood pressure includes:

* ACE inhibitors

* Calcium channel blockers

* Beta-blockers

* Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs)

* Alpha-blockers

* Diuretics

In the past a lot of high blood pressure medications were unsafe and had side effects. Luckily they improved in recent years, so modern drugs that help to lower your blood pressure are more effective and safe.

Alternative high blood pressure treatments

If you don’t trust conventional drugs and prefer alternative medicine, there are several treatments that can help to lower blood pressure.

Natural herbs for high blood pressure are very popular. Most effective are Hawthorn and Ginkgo Biloba. Several studies have shown that garlic also helps with hypertension control. Garlic thins the blood (reduces its ability to clot).

Garlic supplements work just as well as fresh garlic.

Among the alternative therapies, most common are acupuncture and magnetic high blood pressure therapy.

Acupuncture relaxes your body and releases some of the strain on the heart. There is no hard scientific proof that acupunctures works, but many people who tried it, swear that it helped to decrease their blood pressure.

Treatment with magnets can also help. Copper and iron bracelets reduce the effects of blood pressure, but scientists don’t know how and why. However, this treatment is painless and safe, so it is worth the try.

There are many ways to treat high blood pressure. You should never ignore it, because this condition doesn’t just go away unless you do something to control it.