What is blood pressure? Understanding the numbers
Before we get to the best supplements for high blood pressure, let’s try to understand what blood pressure is all about. Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood to your body.
Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers. The top number is called systolic blood pressure. The bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure. For example, 120 over 80 is written as 120/80 millimeters of mercury, or mm Hg. One or both of these numbers can be too high.
Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.
The figure below classifies various stages of hypertension:
| Normal blood pressure | Elevated blood pressure | Stage 1 hypertension | Stage 2 hypertension | Hypertensive crisis | |
| Systolic blood pressure | less than 120 mm Hg | 120–129 mm Hg | 130–139 mm Hg | 140 mm Hg or higher | 180 mm Hg or higher |
| Diastolic blood pressure | less than 80 mm Hg | less than 80 mm Hg | 80–89 mm Hg | 90 mm Hg or higher | 120 mm Hg or higher |
Types of Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
There are several types of high blood pressure:
-Essential hypertension – it is diagnosed after a doctor notices that your blood pressure is high on three or more visits and eliminates all other causes of hypertension. Usually, people with essential hypertension have no symptoms, but you may experience frequent headaches, tiredness, dizziness, or nose bleeds.
-Secondary hypertension – occurs because of another disorder, the most common cause being an abnormality in the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys. Other causes include airway obstruction during sleep, diseases and tumors of the adrenal glands, hormone abnormalities, thyroid disease, and too much salt or alcohol in the diet.
-Drug-induced hypertension – is a form of secondary hypertension caused by a response to a chemical substance or medicine. These include over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine. The good news is that if the cause is found, hypertension can often be controlled.
-Resistant hypertension – Where your doctor has prescribed three different types of antihypertensive medications and your blood pressure is still too high, you may have resistant hypertension. Resistant hypertension may have a genetic component and is more common in people who are older, obese, female, African American, or have an underlying illness, such as diabetes or kidney disease.
-Gestational hypertension/ pregnancy-induced hypertension – is high blood pressure that you develop while you are pregnant. It starts after you are 20 weeks pregnant. You usually don’t have any other symptoms. In many cases, it does not harm you or your baby, and it goes away within 12 weeks after childbirth. But it does raise your risk of high blood pressure in the future. It sometimes can be severe, which may lead to low birth weight or preterm birth. Some women with gestational hypertension do go on to develop preeclampsia.
-Isolated systolic hypertension – is defined as systolic blood pressure above 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure under 90 mm Hg. It’s the most frequent type of hypertension in older adults. An estimated 15 percentTrusted Source of people 60 years or older have isolated systolic hypertension. The cause is thought to be the stiffening of arteries with age.
Younger people can also develop isolated systolic hypertension. A 2016 study noted that isolated systolic hypertension appears in 2 percent to 8 percent of younger people. It’s the most common form of hypertension in youth ages 17 to 27, according to a United Kingdom survey.
Common symptoms of hypertension
Prevention, detection, and evaluation are reasons for you to know your blood pressure numbers. Most of the time, high blood pressure has no symptoms. It is known as the silent killer.
People cannot rely on only physical symptoms to alert them of high blood pressure. To diagnose or monitor hypertension, a person should measure their blood pressure regularly. A person can measure their blood pressure at home. https://familydoctor.org/condition/high-blood-pressure/
Common symptoms that hypertensive patients have include:
- headaches
- difficulty sleeping
- nosebleeds
- sweating
- facial flushing
- nervousness
- blood spots in the eyes
- dizziness
However, these symptoms may not be due to high blood pressure, and anyone experiencing them should speak to a doctor as they may also be signs of other health conditions or side effects of medications.
What causes high blood pressure?
Food, medicine, lifestyle, age, and genetics can cause high blood pressure. Your doctor can help you find out what might be causing yours. Common factors that can lead to high blood pressure include:
–A diet high in salt, fat, and/or cholesterol.
–Chronic conditions such as kidney and hormone problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
–Family history, especially if your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure.
–Lack of physical activity.
–Older age (the older you are, the more likely you are to have high blood pressure).
–Being overweight or obese.
–Race (non-Hispanic black people are more likely to have high blood pressure than people of other races).
–Some birth control medicines and other medicines.
–Stress.
–Tobacco use or drinking too much alcohol.
How can I lower my blood pressure naturally over time?
There’s no fail-proof, safe, and fast way to lower blood pressure. However, there are still many ways to lower your blood pressure over time. Here are some simple recommendations:
-Exercise most days of the week. Exercise is the most effective way to lower your blood pressure. Being physically active at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week goes a long way toward keeping or getting your blood pressure under control.
-Consume a low-sodium diet. Too much sodium (or salt) causes blood pressure to rise. The AHA recommends keeping your daily sodium intake to less than 2 grams, but keeping it less than 1.5 grams is even better!
-Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 to 2 drinks per day. Drinking more than average—1 drink for women and 2 drinks for men—can cause your blood pressure to rise. Plus, alcohol can cause you to pack on the pounds, which can also lead to an increase in blood pressure.
-Make stress reduction a priority. Stressful situations can cause your blood pressure to go up temporarily. But if you continue to be stressed, your blood pressure can remain high. Find calming activities you can do every day to help you relieve stress. Coloring, walking outside, listening to relaxing music, and even taking a warm bath can help you keep you lower your stress levels.
–Drink plenty of water.
–Eat a heart-healthy diet, including potassium and fiber. These include bananas, almonds, beets, dark chocolate, oats, apple cider vinegar, among others.
–Quit smoking.
Food supplements that help to lower high blood pressure
Magnesium supplements
A study team led by Indiana University researchers sought to help settle the debate about whether magnesium plays a role in regulating blood pressure; inconsistent and controversial evidence from studies in humans have left that an open question.
The study notes that taking 300 mg/day of magnesium for just 1 month was enough to elevate blood magnesium levels and reduce blood pressure. It also suggests that high magnesium levels in the blood were linked to improvements in blood flow which can help lower blood pressure.
Magnesium is also good for treating stubborn migranes and muscle relaxation as well. It’s well tolerated and low cost.
Odourless Super Garlic capsules
Garlic can enhance the flavor of many savory meals, including stir-fries, soups, and omelets. Using garlic instead of salt can further promote the health of the heart.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic and antifungal food. Its main active ingredient, allicin, is often responsible for associated health benefits.
Research suggests that garlic increases the body’s production of nitric oxide, which helps the smooth muscles to relax and the blood vessels to dilate. These changes can reduce hypertension.
Garlic supplements are highly tolerated and have the potential to lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, to regulate slightly elevated cholesterol concentrations, and to stimulate the immune system.https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/146/2/389S/4584698
Some people may find the smell and after-taste of fresh garlic repulsive. Not to worry. Our Odourless Super Garlic capsules are here to help you enjoy the maximum benefits of garlic without any discomfort! Visit our Shop to get yours now!
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Among the cardiac conditions that may be prevented or treated with the use of CoQ10 supplements are heart failure, heart attacks, and high blood pressure.
In fact, there have been several clinical studies of CoQ10 that suggest a beneficial effect in lowering blood pressure, although these studies suggest a period of treatment lasting 4 to 12 weeks is necessary before a benefit is evident.https://www.verywellhealth.com/improve-blood-pressure
You can use both Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Odourless Super Garlic capsules simulteneously. Kindly visit our Shop for prices and directions for use.
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