High blood pressure is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated and yet medication to reduce hypertension can have serious side effects. While it is important that you follow your doctor’s advice, there are also many ways to naturally reduce blood pressure which over time may reduce your need for medications and perhaps eliminate them altogether. If you have hypertension and are also concerned about risk and side effects of hypertensive medications, here is a brief outline of how you can begin to lower your blood pressure naturally.
Start an exercise program now. Regular exercise strengthens the heart which means that it can then pump more blood with less effort. This reduces the stress on your arteries thus lowering blood pressure. You don’t have to join a gym or even buy a set of weights, but you do need to elevate your heart rate for about half an hour each day. For many of us a brisk walk is all that is needed for the task. If your doctor has cleared you for exercise, then get off of the couch and start today. If you need a bit more incentive then consider this, regular exercise doesn’t just have a positive effect on blood pressure, it can improve your mood and even your sex life. Start moving!
Drink more water. Water is the most abundant element in our bodies and yet most of us walk around in a partially dehydrated state. Soft drinks, coffee and other fluids are a poor alternative to water because they can actually cause us to excrete more water than they contain. There simply is no substitute for pure water. Water not only assist your kidneys in flushing waste and toxins from your body but proper hydration can actually lower blood pressure. When your body is dehydrated it will attempt to conserve water reserves by constricting arteries throughout the body. This makes less water available for evaporation through the skin but can also increase blood pressure. It’s inexpensive, plentiful and good for you so start drinking more pure water today. Eight glasses or more of clean water each day and you are on your way to a healthier lifestyle.
Clean up your diet. If you are serious about lowering your blood pressure naturally then its time to take a serious look at your diet. Many of us (myself included) have a genetic predisposition to high blood pressure however this should not become an excuse to be careless in our diet. Diets high in saturated fats (the kind that are solid at room temperature) can actually make your blood thicker which means that your heart has to work harder to pump it. These fats can also clog your arteries and eventually lead to heart attack or stroke. Take responsibility for your health starting with your diet. There are many excellent heart healthy diet books on the market and your local library likely has several as well. Once educated you will never be a victim of health ignorance again.
Consider natural supplements. Drugs may be convenient but there are also natural supplements that can help to lower your blood pressure. Visit your local health food store or so some research online. I recently discovered a natural alternative that has reduced my blood pressure by nearly 15 points. It is important however that you talk to your doctor as there is no one size fits all solution. The important thing is that you take responsibility for your own health starting today. No worthy goal is without effort so expect to put some effort into this and as you do the rewards will come.
Please visit High Blood Pressure Alternatives.net to read more about my 8 step plan to reduce your blood pressure naturally.
Thanks for reading.
Kerry Dulin is the owner and webmaster of the natural bodybuilding & fitness site Lift for Life.com. Attracting thousands of visitors daily, Lift for Life is the most full featured fitness site for the natural trainer.
http://www.liftforlife.com
