High blood pressure, known as hypertension, is a condition wherein the force of our blood going through the arteries is consistently high and, in the long term, could lead to heart problems. While normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg, anyone with a blood pressure of about 140/90 mmHg has high blood pressure. Some of the common contributing factors, symptoms, and remedies to manage high blood pressure are listed below.

Causes of high blood pressure

There are several risk factors associated with high blood pressure. As you age, the risk of high blood pressure also increases. It is also quite common that high blood pressure runs through the family. If your close relatives are dealing with hypertension, it is advised to check your blood pressure periodically. A sedentary or unhealthy lifestyle is also linked to high blood pressure. For instance, if you have an unhealthy BMI, more blood will be needed to carry the essential nutrients to all body parts, which will duly add pressure on the blood vessels and the heart. Daily food choices can also contribute to high blood pressure if you do not sufficiently eat fruits and vegetables and opt for a meal plan with high sodium and saturated fats.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

While hypertension can be easily diagnosed by checking your blood pressure, it does not reveal itself until it reaches harmful levels. Since high blood pressure can go unnoticed for a long period, it is important to regularly visit a health care personnel, especially if you are prone to hypertension. Some symptoms associated with extreme hypertension are listed below.

• Headaches – While not all headaches are connected to high blood pressure, some people with hypertension experience severe or consistent headaches.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain or feeling of tightness
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Nosebleed

Remedies for high blood pressure

One can opt for certain lifestyle changes to manage high blood pressure. After consulting a healthcare professional and a nutritional expert, one can follow a meal plan rich in vitamins and whole grains. Furthermore, try to reduce the sodium levels in your foods and avoid eating products containing saturated fats. Besides nutritional changes, consider exercising daily to improve your cardiovascular health. One can incorporate these lifestyle changes along with the remedies a doctor suggests.

Natural remedies for reducing high blood pressure

While natural remedies are not alternatives to prescriptions or other remedies, you can incorporate them into your daily routine after consulting a healthcare professional. Eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate or cocoa powder, rich in flavonoids, can help relax blood vessels. You can add garlic to your daily meal plan since it is shown to lower blood pressure. Hibiscus tea is another helpful home remedy to manage hypertension. Furthermore, it is important to get a good night’s sleep and engage in techniques to lower stress levels to keep high blood pressure at bay. Experts also advise checking blood pressure from home with the help of blood pressure monitors, which are available widely and without demanding a prescription. Lastly, if hypertension runs in your family, it is advised to keep consulting a doctor to keep symptoms in check.