The American Heart Association reports that almost a third of all adults in the United States are suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension). Unfortunately, hypertension is known as a silent disease, which may be why one-third of sufferers are unaware that they have the condition. Some people can go on for years without experiencing even a single symptom even though they have hypertension. Read on to find out more about the common causes, symptoms, and natural remedies for high blood pressure.
Causes
Another problem is that there is no identifiable cause in most of the cases. This makes treatment a lot more difficult, since the root cause remains unidentified and therefore cannot be directly addressed. Generally, though, the condition is brought about by a combination of the following factors:
• Excess weight – A larger body mass requires more blood for oxygen production and nutrient distribution, thus causing more pressure on the artery walls.
• Sedentary lifestyle – A lack of physical activity can increase your heart rate and force your heart to pump harder.
• Alcohol and tobacco/cigarettes – Excessive alcohol intake increases your risk of developing heart disease and the chemicals contained in tobacco and cigarettes can also damage the walls of your arteries.
• Age – As you get older, your risk for developing high blood pressure also increases.
• Stress – Stress is a known culprit for many medical conditions, and hypertension is no exception.
• Heredity – Hypertension has been known to run in families, so if you have a family history of this disease, then you can expect to be at greater risk of developing it as well.
There is also such a thing as secondary hypertension, which is high blood pressure caused by an underlying condition. Common examples of such underlying conditions are hormonal disorders, kidney problems, thyroid diseases, the use of oral contraceptives, and herbs like licorice.
Symptoms
Although symptoms do not appear in the early stages of high blood pressure, sufferers do experience them as the condition worsens. The most common symptoms of hypertension are dizzy spells, headache, and nosebleed.
Remedies
Major lifestyle changes and natural remedies for high blood pressure are your best bets in combating this disease. Garlic, fish oil, and folic acid are among the best natural remedies. Three separate trials have shown that garlic can effectively reduce both systolic and diastolic pressure. It is, however, recommended that garlic supplements be taken only under the strict supervision of your doctor, especially if you are currently taking any other drug or supplement. Fish oil supplements have also been found to combat the disease because of its DHA (docohexaenoic acid) content. Folic acid, an essential vitamin for the formation of red blood cells, helps lower blood pressure by increasing homocysteine levels.
Dietary changes and regular exercise are also recommended for combating hypertension. A healthy diet for those who suffer from this condition requires a reduction in sodium intake and an increase in the intake of vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy product, nuts, and beans. Aerobic exercise like brisk walking and relaxation techniques such as yoga have also been identified as natural remedies for high blood pressure.
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