According to the NHS, a third of adults in the United Kingdom have diagnosed hypertension or high blood pressure. If the condition remains untreated, it generates problematic stress and damage. It can also effect the circulatory system, i.e. the heart, leading to a heart attack and other serious health issues. The metric of blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury, or typically abbreviated to mm Hg. In this article, Lion Sourced answer the question of how to lower your blood pressure naturally.
Understanding Your Blood Pressure
Two numbers that determine an overall reading of your blood pressure, these are: systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure refers to the pressure at which your heart pumps blood out, whereas diastolic represents the pressure when your blood is flowing into the heart whilst resting.
The ideal blood pressure measurement should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg as recommended by the NHS. Now that we’ve got a greater understanding of the subject, let’s look at how to lower your blood pressure naturally!
Exercising To Lower Your Blood Pressure
Fortunately, there are many ways to lower one’s blood pressure, for example, increasing aerobic and anaerobic activities.
Improving your daily exercise routine will help to optimize your breathing rate and health. So over time, your heart becomes more resistant and stronger, pumping blood with less exertion, leading to a lower blood pressure gradually. Incorporating an exercise routine that includes 40 minutes of physical activity is a great start. Try to perform this 3-4 times a week for optimal health benefits.
Focus On Your Diet
Diet particularly plays a critical role in lowering your blood pressure. Too much sodium in your diet is prompted to narrow blood vessels. Hence, making the oxygen in our blood harder to transport around our body. Eventually inducing immense stress on the heart as it struggles to pump enough blood and oxygen flow to key organs.
To prevent high blood pressure, it is suggested one maintains a healthy, balanced diet. Eliminate as much sodium as possible, as an excess of sodium can retain body fluid, further increasing blood pressure. This additional fluid can hinder the hearts performance due to the exceed weight.
The significance of potassium, a mineral, aids the body by transporting nutrients into our cells and removes waste products. Foods with potassium include bananas, peas, spinach, potatoes, meat and poultry.
Consider Quitting Smoking
As we are all aware, smoking is bad for your health and stopping smoking will have many positive benefits. The chemicals in tobacco, in the long run; increases one’s blood pressure by causing inflammation. The substance in tobacco causes narrowing of arteries which later harden, making it difficult for blood to travel around the body.
Not only that, but studies have proposed secondhand smoke has caused defects in blood vessels. Smoking can cause damage to your heart and your circulatory system, further increasing your risk of ensuing conditions such as heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease.
All these health problems issue stress and pressure on the heart to due to toxic chemical one is inhaling. Consequently, to lower your blood pressure, you should include a daily exercise regime in your lifestyle. Also be aware of your sodium intake, one should pursue a healthy balanced diet.
If you smoke regularly, quitting could be the key to lower blood pressure! Now that you know how to lower your blood pressure naturally, adjust your routine and wait for a gradual decrease.
