Food Remedies mai

if you have elevated blood pressure, it is important to consume low-fat, low-sodium, high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables and plant foods. Flaxseed oil and foods high in potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids, are all beneficial for people with high blood pressure. It is believed that vitamin C's ability to widen and relax blood vessels is connected to its blood pressure lowering capability. Garlic and onions have also been shown to reduce blood pressure due, possibly, to their sulfur containing compounds. Some studies have shown that substances found in celery subdue production of hormones that raise blood pressure.

Today, more and more people are having their blood pressure tested and controlled. But many others either never bother to check their blood pressure or stop following their doctor’s orders.

Unfortunately, high blood pressure will not simply go away. Ignoring it is very dangerous. You must accept that treatment is important. You must also accept that, while it’s up to the doctor to prescribe the best treatment to lower your blood pressure, it’s your job to follow through with that treatment.

"Follow through" includes making lifestyle changes and having your progress checked, since your treatment needs probably will change over time. For instance, some people need to cut back more on sodium, lose weight, or begin taking a drug; other people may be able to reduce or, in some cases, stop taking drugs.

If you need help making changes, contact your doctor, a pharmacist, registered dietitian or qualified nutritionist, or other health care professional.

Only by taking change of your health will you get the most from your treatment. So start now to lower your high blood pressure: Treat it for life!

High blood pressure (hypertension) is often called a silent killer because you can have it for years without knowing it. In fact, about 50 million Americans have high blood pressure, but about 30 percent of them don't know it.
Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. Your blood pressure normally varies during the day. It can even vary slightly with each beat of your heart. It increases during activity and decreases with rest.
Many people may not view high blood pressure as life-threatening. But uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase your risk of serious health problems. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be detected with a simple test — and once you know you have high blood pressure, you can work with your doctor to control it.

The cause for high blood pressure is not known in majority of the cases. The most common form of hypertension is known as essential hypertension or idiopathic hypertension. Some time high blood pressure may be due to disease of kidney, hormonal glands, mechanical obstruction of blood flow, neurogenic, pregnancy induced or may be due to some medication. They are known as secondary hypertension because this hypertension is secondary due to some other cause. This type of high blood pressure can be cured if we can treat the cause where as in primary hypertension we can only control not cure. This control can be achieved by making minor changes in life style including diet and some time with medication. Obesity and hypertension together will increase the chance of developing other cardiovascular complications and if diabetes also present the risk will multiply. It is also a major risk factor for heart diseases, kidney failure and strokes.

Risks:
Genetic factors or hereditary.
Diet - Excessive energy intake leads to obesity and tends to increase blood pressure.
Psychological factors - The stress and strain also plays a major role for high blood pressure.
Other factors - Renal, hormonal or any other disease can also happen hypertension.
Mechanical obstruction to blood flow - arteriosclerosis
Drugs - contraceptive pills, steroid

Many men don't even think about their blood pressure. Well, maybe you do, when someone makes you mad or you get really upset about something. Aggravating events tend to cause a temporary rise in blood pressure.

What we're talking about here is something more serious: "hypertension," or high blood pressure that remains elevated over time. This condition can be a symptom of something else going on in your body or, uncontrolled, it can signal problems to come. Keeping your blood pressure under control is tremendously important to your overall health. High blood pressure is one of several factors associated with cardiovascular disease, which is the number one killer of Americans...both men and women. Cardiovascular disease claims more lives annually than all cancers combined, killing approximately one million people in the U.S. each year. It disables countless others.

High blood pressure is often silent -- or without symptoms -- until a major problem develops. That's why it's essential to see your primary care physician for checkups on a regular basis. Such checkups can literally save your life. Your doctor can help you prevent high blood pressure or, at minimum, treat it at an earlier stage when it's easier to manage.
The lowdown on high blood pressureBlood pressure is the force of the flowing blood against the walls of the arteries. It's measured in two numbers ...for example, '140/90.' The first number (140) is systolic pressure, the pressure when the heart contracts and pumps the blood through the body. The lower number (90) is diastolic pressure, the pressure between pumps, when the heart is resting.

120/80 is considered normal. You have high blood pressure (hypertension) if your blood- pressure reading is equal to or greater than 140/90 for extended periods of time. Elevated blood pressure means your heart is working harder than normal, putting both your heart and arteries under a greater strain.

FACT: As many as 50 million Americans either have high blood pressure or are taking high blood pressure medication.

Using Diet to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Individuals with high blood pressure should not only put away the salt shaker, but eat more fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products, according to a statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) in today's Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

One in four American adults has high blood pressure, which increases risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.

For the first time, the American Heart Association's Nutrition Committee recommends adding fruits, vegetables and low-fat or fat-free dairy products to a reduced-salt diet to help prevent or lower high blood pressure.

In its statement, the Nutrition Committee recommended a diet rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium and low in total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.

PurposeDiseases of the heart and blood vessels are the number one cause of death in the United States. People with hypertension, or high blood pressure, are more likely to develop these diseases. Therefore, it is important to try to lower elevated blood pressure.

Hypertension cannot be cured in most cases. It can be successfully managed with lifestyle changes and/or medication. Reducing the amount of sodium in the diet can help bring blood pressure levels down.

Nutrition FactsWith proper food selection, a diet for high blood pressure can be varied and adequate in all nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has developed these definitions that appear on food packages to assist consumers watching their sodium intake:

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  "low sodium" means the food has 140 milligrams or less of sodium per serving
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  "very low sodium" means the food has 35 milligrams or less of sodium per serving
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  "salt-free" means the food has 5 milligrams or less of sodium per serving
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  "light in sodium" means the food has at least 50% less sodium than the original version of the food
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  "reduced sodium" means the food has at least 25% less sodium than the original version of the product