subject: Treating Primary Hypertension [print this page] Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition where the bodys systolic blood pressure averages 140 mmHg or higher, and/or its diastolic blood pressure averages 90 mmHg or higher. Systolic pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the arteries, arterioles, capillaries and veins when the heart is contracting; diastolic pressure is vascular pressure when the heart is at rest.
A sphygmomanometer is a medical device used to measure vascular or arterial pressure. The sphygmomanometer uses the height of a column of mercury to determine the circulating pressure which is measured either in kilopascals (kPa) or in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Average values for a rested and healthy adult is 120 mmHg (16 kPa) systolic and 80 mmHg (11 kPa) diastolic (120/80 mmHg). Vascular pressure undergoes circadian variations due to a variety of factors such as tiredness, stress, inadequate sleep, excessive food intake and similar causes during a regular workday.
Hypertension can either be primary or secondary. Primary hypertension has no known organic cause unlike secondary hypertension which can be traced to ceratin organic conditions such as pregnancy, heart disease or kidney ailments. The traditional treatment for primary hypertension is to take hypertension medicine like diuretics, alpha and beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and vasodilators. However, these synthetic medicines can cause the speeding up of the heart rate, kidney problems, headaches, weight increase and a number of other harmful side effects.
Fortunately, primary hypertension, also known as essential hypertension, has been found to respond well to natural blood pressure cures involving a mix of physical exercise, meditation, weight reduction, adequate hydration, dietary change and a shift in lifestyle away from stressful activities.
One simple natural cure is weight loss coupled with generous intake of herbs vegetables and fruits. Eating right has been proven to significantly lower blood pressure.
Garlic: Garlic contains adenosine which helps in the dilation of blood vessels as well as being a muscle relaxant. Garlic also interferes with the formation of blood clots and helps reduce cholesterol. It also aids in lowering the risk for stomach, gastrointestinal tract, and colon cancers. Taking in 600 milligrams of raw garlic daily helps control blood pressure faster than the equivalent dosage of cooked garlic.
Celery: Celery has also been found to normalize blood pressure. Research at the University of Chicago Medical Center showed that celerys 3-n-butyl-phthalide compound can reduce blood pressure by an average of 12 -14 percent. By relaxing the arterial muscles that regulate blood pressure, it allows the vessels to undergo vasodilation. Try eating four to five stalks a day for a week.
Fruits and Vegetables: A number of research studies prove that switching to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower blood pressure. Fruits are high in potassium, vitamins especially vitamin C and soluble fibre, all of which lower blood pressure.
To get the proper amount of potassium, increase your intake of fruits such as bananas, apple, watermelon, cantaloupe and citrus. Eating three to six servings of these fruits would ensure sufficient potassium intake to help regularize blood pressure.
