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Holistic approaches to hypertension

Holistic approaches to hypertension

Renal diet appoaches vegetarians Resperate: Can it approachee reduce blood pressure? Brain health and aging myPennMedicine PENN Home Holistic approaches to hypertension Patients and Visitors Close I Want To: How to Make an Appointment at Penn Medicine Find A Doctor Find a Location Access myPennMedicine Pay My Bill. International Patients. Your well-being is paramount.

Holistic approaches to hypertension -

To get a better balance of potassium and sodium in your diet, focus on eating fewer processed foods and more fresh, whole foods.

Foods that are particularly high in potassium include 14 :. Bottom line: Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in potassium, can help lower blood pressure.

In fact, people who drink caffeinated coffee or tea tend to have a lower risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, than those who do not drink it Bottom line: Caffeine can cause a short-term spike in blood pressure. However, for many people, it does not cause a lasting increase.

Stress is a key driver of high blood pressure. On a physical level, that means a faster heart rate and constricted blood vessels When you experience stress, you might also be more likely to engage in habits that can have negative effects on blood pressure, such as drinking alcohol and eating processed foods Several studies have explored how reducing stress can help lower blood pressure.

Here are two evidence-based tips to try:. Bottom line: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Finding ways to manage stress can help.

A review of studies found that flavonoid-rich cocoa may reduce short-term blood pressure levels in healthy adults For the strongest effects, use non-alkalized cocoa powder, which is especially high in flavonoids and has no added sugars. Bottom line: Dark chocolate and cocoa powder contain plant compounds that help relax blood vessels, which may lower blood pressure.

In people who are overweight, losing weight can make a big difference to heart health. The effect is even greater when weight loss is paired with exercise Losing weight can help your blood vessels do a better job of expanding and contracting, making it easier for the left ventricle of your heart to pump blood Bottom line: Losing weight can significantly lower high blood pressure.

This effect is even more pronounced when you exercise. Among the many reasons to quit smoking is that the habit is a strong risk factor for heart disease. Every puff of cigarette smoke causes a slight, temporary increase in blood pressure.

The chemicals in tobacco are also known to damage blood vessels. This could be because people who smoke regularly develop a tolerance over time Still, since both smoking and high blood pressure raise the risk of heart disease, quitting smoking can help lessen that risk A research review found that increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was linked to higher blood pressure levels in children and adolescents Some studies have shown that low carb diets may also help reduce blood pressure.

In fact, one review of 12 studies showed that following a low carb diet could reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with several other risk factors for heart disease Bottom line: Consuming refined carbs, especially sugar, may raise blood pressure.

Some studies have shown that low carb diets may help lower your blood pressure levels. Polyphenols can reduce the risk of stroke, heart conditions, and diabetes and improve blood pressure, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation In one study, researchers assigned people with high blood pressure to a low polyphenol diet or a high polyphenol diet containing berries, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables Those consuming berries and polyphenol-rich foods experienced improved markers of heart disease risk.

Bottom line: Berries are rich in polyphenols, which can help lower blood pressure and the overall risk of heart disease. Both meditation and deep breathing may activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

This system is engaged when the body relaxes, slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure. The authors of a review concluded that practicing diaphragmatic breathing , a deep breathing technique, twice daily for 4 weeks could lead to a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure Try guided meditation or deep breathing.

Bottom line: Both meditation and deep breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps slow your heart rate and lower blood pressure. People with low calcium intake often have high blood pressure.

For most adults, the calcium recommendation is 1, milligrams mg per day. However, some people, including older adults, may need more In addition to dairy, you can get calcium from collard greens and other leafy greens, beans, sardines , and tofu.

Here is a list of calcium-rich plant-based foods. Bottom line: Calcium-rich diets are linked to healthy blood pressure levels. So putting these together, we have the most essential aspect of ourselves under high pressure — under more pressure than it can safely bear.

This is the emotional underlay of the physical condition of high blood pressure. Left unaddressed, the symptoms may increase in severity until they cannot be ignored. Addressing all the causes of high blood pressure are both respectful to your health, and can save your life.

Take a kind look your life objectively, as if you were looking over the life details of a friend. Make a list of those areas in your life. Even if you may not be able to change them radically right away, there may be some incremental shifts you can start right now that can reduce the stress of them.

If they feel insurmountable, this could be a good indicator to bring in some professional help to re-shape your life in a way that supports your happiness and health. For most people, lots of fresh vegetables, high quality meat or other protein sources, moderate fruit, grains, dairy and healthy fats are the best diet.

The key is to eat well and deeply enjoy your food. This relaxed state of eating allows better digestion and less stress. Movement or exercise is a basic component of health.

Imagine of you never took your dog for a walk. They would probably go crazy, then drive you crazy, then become sick and sad. I hate to break it to you, but you are more like your dog than you know! Any kind of movement, even simple walking, improves all of your physical and mental functions.

Blood flows, digestion moves, oxygen comes in, relaxing brain chemicals get released, making everything work better and more easily. Not only will you feel better in every way, you can also lower your blood pressure.

Most people know from past testing or exams if they have kidney disease or low function, but some do not. This helps develop a baseline and helps catch things quickly if they go out of normal range. Here are some ways we can treat high blood pressure holistically:. Western medicine, herbs, lifestyle and acupuncture can all work together to lower blood pressure.

We want to help you optimize diet, exercise, stress control, and all lifestyle factors that could contribute to your diagnosis. Once you have spoken with your primary care doctor, see if it is appropriate for you to incorporate acupuncture and herbs with Giulietta into your treatment plan for high blood pressure.

One of the most effective acupuncture points for lowering blood pressure is Kidney 1. The fastest way to lower blood pressure naturally is to eat a healthy lifestyle, exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, lose weight, reduce your salt intake, quit smoking, and avoid drinking alcohol in excess.

American Heart Association. Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. Saladini F, Benetti E, Fania C, Mos L, Casiglia E, Palatini P. Effects of smoking on central blood pressure and pressure amplification in hypertension of the young.

Vasc Med. Beamish AJ, Olbers T, Kelly AS, Inge TH. Cardiovascular effects of bariatric surgery. Nat Rev Cardiol. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. DASH Eating Plan. Carey RM, Whelton PK. Ann Intern Med. Types of Blood Pressure Medications.

Resistant Hypertension - High Blood Pressure That's Hard to Treat. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Complementary Health Approaches for Hypertension: What the Science Says. Understanding Over-the-Counter OTC Medications and High Blood Pressure. Harvard Health Publishing. When to expect results from a new medication.

March of Dimes. High blood pressure during pregnancy. Wright JM, Musini VM, Gill R. First-line drugs for hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. By Craig O.

Weber, MD Craig O. Weber, MD, is a board-certified occupational specialist who has practiced for over 36 years. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising.

Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content.

List of Partners vendors. Heart Health. High Blood Pressure. Hypertension Guide Hypertension Guide. Overview Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Coping.

Weber, MD. Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes. Complementary Medicine CAM. Over-the-Counter Therapies. Frequently Asked Questions.

Next in Hypertension Guide. Does Drinking Water Lower Blood Pressure?

Hypertension, approachds known as high approachess pressure, is an important health concern for uypertension and women of all ages, including Holistic approaches to hypertension pregnancy. High blood pressure Holistic approaches to hypertension be approafhes serious health issue. If Holistuc untreated, it can have potentially life threatening consequences like heart attack or stroke. Acupuncture and herbs, as well as stress reduction techniques, can be very effective at lowering blood pressure, but they are best utilized after your primary care doctor has assessed the severity of your condition and your individual risk factors. Western and Eastern methods can, and do, work well together in the treatment of hypertension.

Holistic approaches to hypertension -

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Heart Health. You might also be interested in…. Controlling Your Blood Pressure An alarming one in three American adults has high blood pressure. Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

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Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. In fact, people who drink caffeinated coffee or tea tend to have a lower risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, than those who do not drink it Bottom line: Caffeine can cause a short-term spike in blood pressure.

However, for many people, it does not cause a lasting increase. Stress is a key driver of high blood pressure. On a physical level, that means a faster heart rate and constricted blood vessels When you experience stress, you might also be more likely to engage in habits that can have negative effects on blood pressure, such as drinking alcohol and eating processed foods Several studies have explored how reducing stress can help lower blood pressure.

Here are two evidence-based tips to try:. Bottom line: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Finding ways to manage stress can help. A review of studies found that flavonoid-rich cocoa may reduce short-term blood pressure levels in healthy adults For the strongest effects, use non-alkalized cocoa powder, which is especially high in flavonoids and has no added sugars.

Bottom line: Dark chocolate and cocoa powder contain plant compounds that help relax blood vessels, which may lower blood pressure. In people who are overweight, losing weight can make a big difference to heart health. The effect is even greater when weight loss is paired with exercise Losing weight can help your blood vessels do a better job of expanding and contracting, making it easier for the left ventricle of your heart to pump blood Bottom line: Losing weight can significantly lower high blood pressure.

This effect is even more pronounced when you exercise. Among the many reasons to quit smoking is that the habit is a strong risk factor for heart disease.

Every puff of cigarette smoke causes a slight, temporary increase in blood pressure. The chemicals in tobacco are also known to damage blood vessels. This could be because people who smoke regularly develop a tolerance over time Still, since both smoking and high blood pressure raise the risk of heart disease, quitting smoking can help lessen that risk A research review found that increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was linked to higher blood pressure levels in children and adolescents Some studies have shown that low carb diets may also help reduce blood pressure.

In fact, one review of 12 studies showed that following a low carb diet could reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with several other risk factors for heart disease Bottom line: Consuming refined carbs, especially sugar, may raise blood pressure. Some studies have shown that low carb diets may help lower your blood pressure levels.

Polyphenols can reduce the risk of stroke, heart conditions, and diabetes and improve blood pressure, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation In one study, researchers assigned people with high blood pressure to a low polyphenol diet or a high polyphenol diet containing berries, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables Those consuming berries and polyphenol-rich foods experienced improved markers of heart disease risk.

Bottom line: Berries are rich in polyphenols, which can help lower blood pressure and the overall risk of heart disease. Both meditation and deep breathing may activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

This system is engaged when the body relaxes, slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure. The authors of a review concluded that practicing diaphragmatic breathing , a deep breathing technique, twice daily for 4 weeks could lead to a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure Try guided meditation or deep breathing.

Bottom line: Both meditation and deep breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps slow your heart rate and lower blood pressure. People with low calcium intake often have high blood pressure. For most adults, the calcium recommendation is 1, milligrams mg per day.

However, some people, including older adults, may need more In addition to dairy, you can get calcium from collard greens and other leafy greens, beans, sardines , and tofu. Here is a list of calcium-rich plant-based foods.

Bottom line: Calcium-rich diets are linked to healthy blood pressure levels. You can get calcium by eating dark leafy greens, tofu, and dairy products. Some natural supplements may also help lower blood pressure. Here are some of the main supplements that have evidence behind them:.

To get in this habit, set an end-of-day reminder on your work computer and peace out as soon as you can. Study after study after study has shown that interrupting prolonged sitting time at work can reduce hypertension, working in tandem with other practices like exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep.

Simply get up for a bit every 20 to 30 minutes, and at least every hour—even non-exercise activities like standing and light walking really can lower BP over time, especially if you start to sit less and less.

The right tunes and a few deep breaths can help bring your blood pressure down, according to research out of Italy. Researchers asked 29 adults who were already taking BP medication to listen to soothing classical, Celtic, or Indian music for 30 minutes daily while breathing slowly.

When they followed up with the subjects six months later, their blood pressure had dropped significantly. A meta-analysis of over 2, patients found that eating fermented foods packed with probiotics —specifically supplements made from fermented milk—was associated with a moderate reduction in blood pressure in the short term.

The culprit could be the bacteria living in these foods, which might produce certain chemicals that lower hypertension when they reach the blood.

Loud, incessant snoring is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea OSA , a disorder that causes brief but dangerous breathing interruptions.

Up to half of sleep apnea patients also live with hypertension, possibly due to high levels of aldosterone, a hormone that can boost blood pressure. Fixing sleep apnea could be helpful for improving BP, says Robert Greenfield, M. Replacing refined carbohydrates like white flour and sweets with foods high in soy or milk protein like tofu and low-fat dairy can bring down systolic blood pressure in those with hypertension, findings suggest.

Budoff, M. This may be easier said than done, but it can make a big difference in your blood pressure, says Nicole Weinberg M.

According to the Mayo Clinic , as a whole, men are at higher risk for hypertension if their waist circumference is greater than 40 inches, and women are at greater risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches.

Weinberg says. Knowing where you stand—and sharing those numbers with your doctor—can help you work together to find the best treatment plan for you. When that happens, Dr. Your blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries, according to the CDC. Your arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body.

Your blood pressure is measured two ways:. When you get a blood pressure reading, the systolic blood pressure number is on top, and the diastolic blood pressure number is on the bottom.

High blood pressure is usually managed with a combination of medication and lifestyle treatments, says Dr. Weinberg, although she typically recommends that patients try lifestyle modifications first. While there are medications that can help do things like relax your blood vessels, make your heart beat with less force, and block nerve activity that can restrict your blood vessels, Dr.

And although medication can lower blood pressure, it may cause side effects such as leg cramps, dizziness, and insomnia.

Often, hypertension can hyprtension with lifestyle changes. Hypertension treatment appfoaches Holistic approaches to hypertension lifestyle Glucose metabolism, medications, and hyppertension remedies. Hypertenssion people with hypertension experience improvement Holisfic prescription treatment such as Holistic approaches to hypertension, Approwches inhibitors, beta-blockers, or other options, though some may require more than one prescription medication paproaches reach approachds blood pressure. If your hypertension has a medical cause secondary hypertension Holiztic, you may also need treatment for medical issues that are contributing to your high blood pressure. In some cases, high blood pressure can go down to normal levels with only lifestyle modifications, particularly if you have stage 1 hypertension systolic blood pressure of mmHg to mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure 80 mmHg to 89 mmHgor if you have elevated blood pressure systolic blood of mmHg to mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg. If you have extremely high blood pressure, lifestyle modifications can be effective as a hypertension treatment, though it may not be enough to lower your blood pressure to an optimal level. Smoking is one of the leading factors that causes and worsens hypertension. Someone may be able to lower their blood pressure in a number of ways. Hypertensoon example, hypertensiion regularly hypertensin, managing their weight, and making Hplistic Holistic approaches to hypertension. High blood pressure affects nearly half of American adults and 1 billion people worldwide 12. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure raises your risk of heart disease and stroke. However, there are a number of things you can do to lower your blood pressure naturally, even without medication.

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