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High Blood Pressure

What is high blood pressure?

When the heart beats it pumps the blood through the arteries and creates a pressure within them.  Tiny, smooth muscles line the interior of blood vessels. These muscles’ ability to dilate or constrict governs the pressure and blood flow to each organ and tissue. When the muscles in the arteries and veins constrict, blood pressure rises. If this constriction occurs continuously, the blood pressure remains abnormally high. This is high blood pressure.

With the increased constriction of the vessels, the heart must work harder to pump an adequate amount of blood to all the tissues of the body (necessary to keep the body alive as the blood brings oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in the body).

The body can usually tolerate increased blood pressure for months, but eventually there can be damage.  This can cause injury to the kidneys, brain, and eyes.  Continuing high blood pressure puts you at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

What do blood pressure reading numbers mean?

If blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, the top number refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart muscle. This is called systolic pressure. The bottom number refers to your blood pressure when your heart muscle is between beats. This is called diastolic pressure.

The American Heart Association defines a normal blood pressure as less than 120/80. Elevated blood pressure ranges between 120/80 and 129/80, and high blood pressure is 130/80 and higher.

Signs of High Blood Pressure

Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it because they don’t experience noticeable symptoms.

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it can give no sign of the undercover damage it may be doing.

In some cases, people with high blood pressure may experience symptoms, such as:

 

  • Severe headache
  • Fatigue or mental confusion
  • Visual disturbances
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Pounding in the chest, neck, or ears.


    What causes high blood pressure?

    Here are some factors related to high blood pressure:

Hormone Abnormality

Elevated blood pressure can arise as a result of another underlying health problem, such as a hormonal abnormality.

Emotional Stress

Emotional stress is a known contributor to many illnesses including high blood pressure. The hormone cortisol involved in the body’s response to stress acts to increase blood pressure.

Stress brings about other physiological changes and imbalances in hormones and substances in the body, which play a role in causing high blood pressure. All the stress factors cause the body to use up large amounts of nutrients which in turn lead to nutritional deficiencies that cause high blood pressure.

Fatty Plaque on Blood Vessels

High blood pressure can be created due to a buildup of fatty plaque on the inside walls of the blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This narrowing and/or hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) make circulation of blood through the blood vessels difficult. As a result, the blood pressure becomes elevated.

Poor Kidney Function

Another cause can be poor kidney function, which results in the retention of excess sodium and fluid in the body. The increase in blood volume within the vessels causes elevated blood pressure levels. Kidneys may also elevate blood pressure by secreting substances that cause blood vessels to constrict.

Dehydration

When the body’s cells lack water, the brain sends a signal to the pituitary gland to secrete a chemical that causes constriction of the blood vessels. It’s said that 75% of the population is chronically dehydrated.

Dietary and Nutrition Issues

Too much sugar:  Merely by giving sugar to lab animals and humans, you can raise blood pressure at will.  It is believed that sugar contributes to sodium retention, which, in turn, raises blood pressure.

Too much salt:  a generous intake of sodium as is normally found in processed foods actually increases the volume of blood because sodium attracts water to itself, and therefore, contributes to high blood pressure.

Potassium deficiency:  the ratio of too much sodium to potassium contributes to high blood pressure.

Calcium deficiency: numerous studies show that a calcium deficiency has a close relationship with high blood pressure.

Magnesium deficiency:  When the magnesium supply runs down and the intake of the mineral is low, reversible high blood pressure results.

Being Overweight: Numerous studies state there is a direct relationship between increased body weight and blood pressure.

So, what can you do?

Suggestions on Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

1. Have the correct balance of minerals

Ensure you have the correct balance of minerals in your body – magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

“The balance of magnesium and another mineral, calcium, in and around the muscle cells lining the arteries is a primary determining factor of their state of relaxation and constriction.” Excerpted from The Magnesium Solution for High Blood Pressure by Jay S. Cohen, M.D.

It can be hard to get an adequate amount of nutrients in the right balance from food today, so supplementation is very helpful to achieve this. Ensure your supplements are made of natural, plant-based ingredients to achieve optimum nutritional value.

2. Include blood pressure lowering foods in your diet

Celery: Celery is a food that helps to lower your blood pressure. Eating four stalks a day of this vegetable should be sufficient.

Potassium-rich foods: A diet high in potassium-rich foods could help overall cardiovascular health. The best sources of potassium: banana, fresh broccoli, avocado, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, potatoes (with skins), cantaloupe, dates, prunes and raisins.  Also, beans, parsley, peas, pistachios, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, chickpeas, almonds, sesame seeds, brazil nuts, peanuts and pecans.

Calcium-rich foods: Calcium-rich diets are linked to healthy blood pressure levels. Get calcium through dark leafy greens and tofu, as well as dairy.

Polyphenol-rich foods: Polyphenols are natural plant compounds. High-polyphenol diets can improve different markers of heart health, including blood pressure. High-polyphenol foods are olives and olive oil, berries and other fruits, vegetables, soy, dark chocolate, nuts and beans.

3. Walk and exercise regularly

Exercise is one of the best things you can do to lower high blood pressure. Walking just 30 minutes a day can help lower your blood pressure. More exercise helps reduce it even further.

4. Reduce your sodium intake

Know how much sodium you are consuming by reading the nutrition facts of the food you buy. You’ll be surprised how much sodium is in so many common foods. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day—that’s equal to about 1 teaspoon of salt.

5. Drink less alcohol

Drinking alcohol in any quantity may raise your blood pressure. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans moderate alcohol consumption is defined as having up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men.

6. Lose weight

Losing weight can significantly lower high blood pressure. This effect is even greater when you exercise. As one loses excess weight, the blood pressure reduces proportionately.

Refined carbs, especially sugar, may raise blood pressure so following a low-carb diet may help reduce blood pressure.

7. Learn to manage stress

Stress is a major factor in high blood pressure. Chronic stress can cause your heart rate to increase and your blood vessels to constrict. Fitting more “downtime” into your schedule, doing some different activities or having a change of scenery by visiting a new location can be helpful.

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

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Qgenics Nutraceuticals
Nutra Wellness, LLC
1170 NE Cleveland St.
Clearwater, FL 33755

Phone: 866-531-8713
Email: support@qgenics.com

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