High blood pressure is a common condition that once diagnosed should be immediately addressed. Dealing with high blood pressure requires understanding what it is and the risks of ignoring it, as well as certain measures you can take to prevent or treat it. The supplements summarized later in this blog can help mitigate high blood pressure.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition wherein the force of the blood moving against artery walls is persistently too high. This means that the heart must work harder to pump blood throughout the body. High blood pressure left untreated will continue to raise your risk of heart disease and other health complications.
It is recommended that
any individual over the age of 18 have his or her blood pressure checked every two years. This is important, because hypertension usually presents no discernible symptoms for a long time. Untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, metabolic syndrome, and other serious conditions.
Hypertension can vary in its severity. Depending on how high a person's blood pressure is, their age, their lifestyle and other factors, doctors might
prescribe medications to mitigate hypertension.
Preventing High Blood Pressure
Maintaining the basics of a healthy lifestyle are imperative to both preventing and/or treating high blood pressure. These factors should not be ignored, especially in those already diagnosed with hypertension. Controllable lifestyle factors that contribute to high blood pressure (and the other problems it can cause) include obesity, a physically inactive lifestyle,
consuming too much sodium and/or too little potassium, and regular tobacco and alcohol use.
Supplements for Blood Pressure
The following supplements each have the potential to contribute to the reduction of high blood pressure. These do not replace good lifestyle habits or eliminate the need for treatment of high blood pressure when prescribed by a physician. However, some are shown to be as effective at mitigating high blood pressure as some prescribed medications.
Potassium, because of the link of potassium deficiency to hypertension, is perhaps the best preventative supplement for hypertension. Many studies have shown the effect
potassium consumption has on reducing high blood pressure. Taking potassium supplements could make an even bigger difference in the hypertension of people who consume a lot of sodium.
Magnesium has an instigating effect on the production of nitric oxide in the body. This effect has been shown to
relax blood vessels and ease hypertension. The results of one metastudy show that for every 100mg of magnesium consumed on a daily basis, the chances of hypertension are reduced by 5%.
Garlic is a sulfur-containing compound that is rich in allicin.
Allicin can have a relaxing effect on blood vessels. Some research suggests that this effect can lower high blood pressure as effectively as some blood pressure medications can do.
B vitamins can help reduce high blood pressure in certain people. At least three different B vitamins can help. Vitamin B2 can help reduce hypertension, specifically in individuals with a certain genetic mutation that can cause hypertension. Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, could lower blood pressure in those with heart disease. Vitamin B6 can also be of assistance.
Ginger can work in the body in a manner similar to
how an ACE inhibitor works. ACE inhibitors belong to one of the primary classifications of prescription drugs for hypertension. Ginger can also promote healthy circulation.
L-arginine is an amino acid that releases nitric oxide in the blood. This helps open up blood vessels, and promotes healthy blood flow.
CoQ10 is a unique molecule produced in the body. Taking an
oral CoQ10 supplement can help reduce high blood pressure.
It is important that high blood pressure be identified with treatment to begin as soon as possible, with doctor-prescribed medication(s) in conjunction with supplements like this listed above, but always be sure to discuss such usage with a health-care professional.
