High blood pressure or hypertension is a serious condition that occurs when your blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels. Known as the silent killer, this condition shows almost no symptoms, and therefore, one should get their blood pressure checked regularly. This article highlights the best home remedies for high blood pressure. Hypertension can increase your risk of getting countless problems including diabetes, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and even death!
Luckily, this problem can be reversed through a healthy diet and mindful living. Sit back, relax, and keep reading!
Emergency Treatments For High Blood Pressure
If you or someone you know needs emergency treatment for high blood pressure, the first thing you should do is talk to a doctor. You can also consult a doctor online. In the meantime, try following the emergency treatments for high blood pressure at home:
- Eat dark chocolate
- Stay calm
- Take the medicines prescribed by your doctor
- Drink chamomile tea
Read also: Foods That Help to Lower Cholesterol
7 Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure that Really Works
Given below are a list of home remedies for high blood pressure.
1. Reduce salt intake
Salt is one of the main ingredients that leads to high blood pressure. When you eat too much salt that contains sodium, your body holds extra water to eliminate or wash out the salt from your body. This added water may put stress on your heart and blood vessels making the blood pressure rise.
Reducing salt intake will help you lower high blood pressure. Instead of salt, use herbs and spices to add flavour. Also, try to avoid processed foods as they are loaded with sodium. Make sure to read the food labels and choose low-sodium alternatives.
2. Eat more potassium-rich foods
Eating potassium-rich foods ease tension in the walls of your blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. Potassium intake helps to lessen the effects of sodium in your body, that is, the more potassium-rich food you eat, the more sodium you release through urine. Bananas, spinach, and avocado are some of the foods rich in potassium.
However, potassium can be harmful to kidney patients and those who take certain medications. Therefore, if you decide to take potassium-rich foods, have a discussion with your doctor first.
3. Chew coriander leaves
Chewing coriander leaves is an excellent home remedy for high blood pressure. These leaves contain bioactives which have anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antimicrobial, as well as anxiety inhibiting properties. Due to its diuretic effect on the body, coriander can manage blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels.
4. Manage stress
Stress is one of the major factors that can cause a sudden spike in your blood pressure levels. When you are stressed, your body releases the hormone cortisol that increases the heart rate and narrows down the blood vessels.
Identify the reason for your stress, stay calm, take deep breaths, and find ways to fix your problems without getting stressed.
5. Limit alcohol intake
Limiting alcohol consumption prevents high blood pressure. Consuming more than 3 drinks in one sitting can temporarily increase your blood pressure levels, and repeated binge drinking may lead to long-term complications.
Note that a drink refers to:
- 12 ounces or 355 millilitres of beer
- 1.5 ounces or 44 millilitres of whiskey, bourbon, tequila, and vodka
- 5 ounces or 148 millilitres of wine.
If you find it difficult to avoid or reduce alcohol intake, seek medical help.
6. Quit smoking
Smoking is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure. The nicotine content in cigarette smoke increases your blood pressure levels and heart rate narrows your arteries as well as harden their walls and makes your blood clot. This stresses your heart and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. So, quit smoking and live a healthy life.
7. Include garlic and ginger in your diet
Including garlic and ginger in your diet can reduce high blood pressure.
Garlic has natural antibiotic as well as antifungal properties. It helps to increase the level of nitric oxide in your body which causes your blood vessels to relax and dilate. This allows the blood to flow freely and reduce blood pressure. Adding garlic in stir-fries, omelettes, soups, or in any of your favourite foods in moderate quantities can make your heart stronger and contribute to overall health.
Ginger improves blood circulation and helps to relax the muscles surrounding your blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. Also, the antioxidant properties of ginger makes it best to reduce the formation of plaque in the arteries.
However, if you are taking any medications or have any health problems, talk to a doctor before you include garlic and ginger in your diet.
Apart from the above-mentioned home remedies for managing high blood pressure, exercise daily and lose weight. Your blood pressure increases as your body weight increases. This can also cause sleep apnea, a condition which further raises your blood pressure.
Read: Home Remedies to Manage Low Blood Pressure
