Blood pressure - or a measure of the pressure of your blood within your arteries -- is produced by your heart's contractions. A decade or so ago, a blood pressure reading of 120/70 was the ideal to aim for. Now, cardiologists are looking for numbers closer to 115/65 to define the safe limits.
Let's look at how these numbers come about. The first and higher number is called the systolic and is measured after your heart contracts. The lower second number is called the diastolic and has its measurement taken before your heart contracts. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is frequently treated with many prescription medications. But there's more you can do, naturally, to keep your blood pressure within safe limits.
A Healthy Diet
It may sound repetitive and lame but your really are what you eat. For instance, I know when I've had a glass of wine - my blood pressure goes up and I sweat a bit. Too much deep fried foods will do the same thing. That platter of mozzie sticks sure looked good but they don't like me at all.
One of the simplest ways to lower your blood pressure without medication is to be sure that you're consuming a diet low in fat and cholesterol. This is one of your best defenses against high blood pressure. All the ads about oatmeal lowering blood pressure and cholesterol are true. Do yourself a favor: try to get your hands on organic, gluten-free oats.
Eating healthy food is work. There. Someone finally said it. It's something that can help your body, but it is something you must work on to keep up, and something must do for a lifetime. If you have been in the habit of eating foods that are bad for you, you are going to find that it takes a long time for a healthy diet to make a real difference. However, you shouldn't give up, because it is something that will do wonders for your mind, body and spirit.
Keep Playing!
Second, get plenty of exercise. Remember, the best kind of exercise for lowering your blood pressure is something that gets your heart pumping. No, you don't have to enter a triathlon. Walk with your dogs. Play with your kids. Move around. You don't become an adult because you've stopped playing; you've stopped playing because you became an adult. Never stop playing!
There is a sweet treat that can do wonders for your blood pressure and it's chocolate. But not just any chocolate. Dark chocolate. The chocolate you need to be on the lookout for is that which contains at least 70% cacao. This kind of chocolate is loaded with antioxidants that can keep you feeling young, regulate your blood pressure and keep your cholesterol within safe limits.
There are also a variety of natural techniques, like acupuncture and massage, that can be used to lower your blood pressure. Talk with your primary healthcare professional and look into all of these options to find the one that best fits your life.
About the Author
Victoria Rosendahl is a fan of natural remedies and has written copy for alternative healthcare companies. For more information about the health benefits of dark chocolate, visit http://www.cocoarick.com and sign up for our free report.
No comments:
Post a Comment