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MoreIn the past, a person was considered to have high blood pressure or hypertension if their readings were 140 over 90 or higher. However, according to the 2017 guidelines from the American Heart Association, if your blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg or higher, you have hypertension. High blood pressure places an additional strain in the veins, arteries, and heart. The danger of a stroke or heart attack also increases if blood pressure remains high. Hypertension may also cause other heart- and kidney-related diseases and in rare cases, even dementia. A combination of home remedies and medical therapies (for more serious cases) and help prevent complications of hypertension.
Garlic
Studies suggest garlic can help lower high blood pressure. Cooked or raw, the bulb helps control hypertension and diminish cholesterol levels, too. Garlic unwinds blood vessels by empowering the generation of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide. Consume one or two cloves of garlic daily. Crushing the cloves creates hydrogen sulfide, a chemical that helps improve blood flow, evacuates gas, and decreases high blood pressure. Instead of swallowing raw garlic, some people choose to blend drops of fresh garlic juice with water or take garlic pills.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn has long been used as a natural treatment for cardiovascular, respiratory, and circulatory diseases. The berries were considered beneficial for various heart conditions including heart failure, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Hawthorn is rich in plant compounds called flavonoids, oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs), and quercetin. There has been considerable research into the plant’s effects on coronary illnesses. Hawthorn extract can help ease arrhythmia and palpitations, enhance the health of blood vessels, control glucose levels, and diminish the danger of hypertension. Drinking Hawthorn tea daily can be beneficial to some, but always discuss the addition of this herb with a doctor before proceeding.
Coconut Water
Individuals with hypertension must keep themselves well hydrated, even more so than people with healthy blood pressure because anti-hypertension medication can cause dehydration. Unlike regular water, coconut water is loaded with potassium and contains some magnesium and other electrolytes. These electrolytes can help lower blood pressure and generally contribute to heart health. Alongside raw coconut water, regular water and caffeine-free herbal teas can be consumed.
Ginger
Ginger may help improve high blood pressure. Research suggests that ginger works in a few ways, decreasing the risk of heart conditions, for example, bringing down blood pressure, diminishing cholesterol, and preventing the formation of dangerous blood clots. Ginger helps reduce the level of “bad” LDL cholesterol by preventing plaque from developing on blood vessels. The multipurpose root is also a blood thinner, containing salicylates, the chemical in contributes this property to aspirin. Blood clots can stop adequate blood flow, and travel to the lungs, heart, brain, or other areas, increasing the risk of a stroke, heart attack, and lung or kidney damage.
Cayenne Pepper (Capsaicin)
Cayenne pepper is famous for its vasodilating (vessel-opening) properties. It rapidlyexpands blood vessels, which enhances the stream of blood. Speedier and more active flow takes the pressure off the arteries. Cayenne pepper opens up blood vessels and helps increase circulation.According to folk medicine, cayenne pepper acts as a blood detoxifier, too, and has blood thinner qualities. A daily recommended dosages for cayenne pepper powder have not been established, thus it is important to consult a physician before adding it regularly to your diet. Capsaicin supplements are an alternative, as well.
Carrots
Raw carrots are a great remedy for lowering hypertension. Carrots are a good source of fiber, vitamins A and K1, some minerals and phenolic compounds that help decrease the risk of vascular diseases. They are high in potassium, which helps balance fluid levels and normalizes the pulse. Potassium also balances sodium levels; when in excess, sodium is detrimental to blood pressure. Scientists suggest that drinking 16 fl oz of daily freshly squeezed carrot juice may help improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure.
Celery
Celery seed has been used in Chinese medicine to lower blood pressure for millennia. The vegetable itself is a sinewy vegetable that acts as a diuretic and flushes out excess water from the body and heart, with many healthful consequences. Although more research is needed, the compound called 3-N-butylphthalide is responsible not only for the characteristic odor of celery but also for its anti-hypertensive effects. Phthalides help improve blood flow and unwind the muscles in and around blood vessel walls.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain potassium, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and other antioxidant agents, all of which can help lower high blood pressure. This bold fruit also contains lycopene, a carotenoid that gives it its vibrant red color. Based on research studies, lycopene may help prevent atherosclerosis, lower blood pressure, act as a blood thinner, and reduce the stiffness of the arteries.
Sesame
Sesame oil contains healthy fats including polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), vitamin E, and sesamin, a key compound responsible for lowering high blood pressure and easing cardiovascular illness and diabetes. PUFA and sesamin together unwind the blood vessel wall, may improve blood flow and cholesterol levels, and reduce inflammation.
Dark Chocolate
The seeds of the cocoa tree are the origin of dark chocolate (Theobroma cacao) and are full of healthy compounds like flavonoids, polyphenols, and catechins. By keeping the blood vessels open, these compounds help the blood process oxygen and supplements more efficiently throughout the whole body. In moderation, dark chocolate can decrease the danger of coronary illness and stroke, lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol levels.
