Home Remedies and Herbs for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Hypertension is another term for high blood pressure. It is a common condition that occurs when blood pumps too strongly, causing force on the artery walls.¹ Long-term high blood pressure may result in heart problems, including heart disease.² Blood pressure varies throughout the day and is usually higher when you wake up, during exercise, and when you’re under stress.¹ It’s when your blood pressure remains high on a constant basis that it leads to serious health issues.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Your systolic blood pressure is the pressure on your arteries when your heart beats and is usually less than 120 mmHg. Your diastolic blood pressure is the pressure on your arteries between beats and is usually under 80 mmHg. So someone may have a blood pressure rating of “120 over 80.” It’s when your top number passes 140, the bottom number passes 90, or both that it’s said you have high blood pressure.³

What Causes Hypertension?

Hypertension causes can be difficult to identify. When there’s no identifiable cause, you’re said to have primary (essential) hypertension, which develops gradually over many years.⁴ Hypertension causes that can be identified include:

• Kidney problems
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Adrenal gland tumors
• Thyroid problems
• Congenital defects
• Certain medications
• Alcohol or drug use⁴

Other hypertension causes include lifestyle factors such as stress, being overweight, excessive salt intake, and a poor diet. When this is the case, simple lifestyle changes, like going on a hypertension diet, can help ease hypertension symptoms.⁵

Hypertension Symptoms

Hypertension symptoms are usually minimal, but that does not mean the condition is a non-issue. The only real way to identify hypertension is to get a reading from your doctor every two years once you turn 18 and every year once you turn 40.⁷ Your doctor will be able to track your blood pressure trends and see if you’re at risk of heart disease. In rare cases, individuals may experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath, but this is typically after their blood pressure has reached dangerous levels.

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Hypertension

If your doctor has told you that you have hypertension, it may be time to start on a hypertension diet to reduce your risk of developing serious cardiovascular issues later in life. Hypertension treatment often involves lifestyle changes unless your doctor recommends otherwise. Natural hypertension herbs can help reduce your blood pressure and boost your health. Start by trying these hypertension herbs:

• Apple Cider Vinegar - This natural hypertension treatment is packed with nutrients that help reduce blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular disease. It can even promote satiety, which can help you lose weight if that’s what’s causing your hypertension. All you need is to add a tablespoon to your drinking water each day to reap its benefits.
• Garlic - Another hypertension herbs option to add to your hypertension diet is garlic. It’s said to help prevent high blood pressure and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease among many other health benefits. You can eat garlic as whole cloves, as a powdered seasoning, or in capsules.
• Cayenne Pepper - Cayenne pepper works as a natural hypertension treatment by lowering inflammation and reducing blood pressure. Use it as a powdered seasoning or in capsules.

References

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024199/?report=reader
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/basics/definition/con-20019580
3. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/hypertension
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/basics/causes/con-20019580
5. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00686/high-blood-pressure-treatment