Keep Calm! Ayurveda Can Beat Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure (BP) is one of the common diseases engulfing the human race at a faster rate. The fast-paced life, work stress, anxiety, junk food habits, lack of activity and time for ownself can give rise to many lifestyle hazards. High blood pressure itself is not a disease but it can be linked to many serious diseases like heart attack, kidney failure etc. Medically blood pressure anomaly can be divided into hypotension and hypertension. Generally, it’s high blood pressure that is a cause of concern in most cases.

Blood pressure generally increases with the age, due to the constriction of blood vessels. But nowadays due to bad lifestyle, obesity and food habits high blood pressure has become common in the younger age group starting from 30 year onward. One of the main problems with high blood pressure is that it goes unnoticed. High blood pressure will not show many symptoms, which is why it goes unchecked. Even if a person is suffering from hypertension, he won’t know unless checked. There are many medications available both conventional modern and alternative ayurvedic. Before taking any kind of medication, one should know about the root cause of this hypertension.

Hypertension: Symptoms And Complications

Hypertension is a condition in which there is pressure on the blood vessels. Two types of cardiac phases are known as systole (heart pumping out the blood) and diastole (heart relaxing). These two phases are measured in the blood pressure. In the blood pressure reading the numerator is the systole (higher number) while the denominator is the diastole(lower number). Normal heart pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. The patient needs to be alerted if the pressure reading is above 140/90 and in severe condition, it may rise up to 180/120.

Due to the increased pressure in blood vessels, many complications like cardiac failure, coronary artery disease, vision loss, chronic kidney disease and many other diseases can happen.

There are many factors that can lead to hypertension. A few of the factors are mentioned below.

  • Genetic factors
  • Smoking and Drinking
  • Junk food Habit
  • High viscous blood
  • Increased muscle activity
  • Lack of elasticity in the blood vessels, arteries
  • Obesity

Primary Hypertension

Primary hypertension can be due to certain genetic factors and if someone in the family has a history of high blood pressure then it is most likely the offspring might suffer the same fate. Several environmental factors like high salt intake, caffeine consumption, certain medication, obesity, lack of physical activity contribute to hypertension.

Secondary Hypertension

They are identified with an underlying morbidity such as kidney disease. Other syndromes in which high blood pressure can be one of the symptoms include anomaly in endocrine conditions like Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, artery stenosis. Other causes which are not related to disease or syndrome can be obesity, sleep apnea, pregnancy, old age, alcohol consumption, narcotics such as cocaine and methamphetamine consumption can elevate blood pressure. Sometimes a person suffering from depression and anxiety also relates to hypertension.

Coming To The Treatment

There are several modern medications that doctors prescribe. There are several groups of medicine that are used.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors):

As the name suggests, they will reduce the production of the ACE enzyme, this will further inhibit the production of angiotensin II. This will dilate the blood vessels and the blood pressure will be reduced.

Diuretics:

They increase the flow of the fluid and enlarge the blood vessels.

Beta-Blockers:

They make your heartbeat slow and thereby decrease blood pressure.

Antihypertensive Drugs:

They act as vasodilators and mainly act by blocking the blood pressure rising hormones.

These medications have certain side effects and in the long run, may cause other complications. More and More people are now turning to ayurveda for blood pressure management. There are many herbal remedies and natural ways by which blood pressure can be put in control. Ayurvedic treatment for bp includes usage of herbs, dietary control and lifestyle management.

Alternative Medicine: Ayurvedic Treatment

There are many ayurvedic herbs to lower blood pressure.They can be included in your daily diet.

Herbs and Food Carrying Vitamin C:

Amla, orange, lemon are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C reduces blood cholesterol and improves collagen formation. They widen the blood vessels. Amla juice in the morning with empty juice is good for controlling hypertension.

Gotu Kola:

They are bitter in taste. They are helpful in circulating blood and this helps in controlling blood pressure.

Ashwagandha:

It is also called the Indian Ginseng. This can be added to tea. It is a natural proven herb to lower blood pressure.

Garlic:

Garlic is a natural blood thinner and acts as a vasodilator. Garlic can be used in regular food.

Honey:

Honey alone or in combination with ginger or warm better can be a boon. It will relax the blood vessels and control the blood pressure.

Punarnava:

It is a flowering plant with many medicinal properties. Stock created from Punarnava mixed with passionflower and hawthorn berry in hot water can be used post lunch and dinner. This helps in decreasing blood pressure.

Basil:

Basil or Tulsi is mentioned in Ayurveda and is a natural blood pressure reducer. According to few studies, neem and tulsi can be helpful in lowering blood pressure.

Food With High Water Content:

Watery food like watermelon, cucumber are easy to digest and adding them in food preparation can be used in lowering blood pressure. Cucumber raita and watermelon mixed with cardamom and coriander act as a diuretic and this will regulate the blood pressure.

Apart from these natural remedies, one with high blood pressure should avoid salt intake. Salt contains sodium and no doubt, sodium increases blood pressure. Above mentioned herbs can be one of the best ayurvedic medicines for blood pressure.

Consult an expert ayurvedic practitioner to choose your medicinal supplements.

Lifestyle Regulations

Exercise And Walking:

Mild exercise and walking can do wonders for your body. It regulates blood flow and burns calories. They make your cardiac muscle smooth and your heart becomes efficient in blood regulations.

Regular exercise helps make your heart stronger and more efficient at pumping blood, which lowers the pressure in your arteries. The World Health Organisation states 150min of weekly brisk walking to keep your blood pressure in control. Selection of exercise is very important and doing heavy exercise can have harmful effects.

Avoid Alcohol:

It is linked to more than 10% of high blood pressure cases worldwide. It can put pressure on your blood vessels.

Increase Intake of Potassium:

Instead of sodium, it is advisable to increase potassium in your food. It acts as a sodium scavenger in your bloodstream and thereby helps in reducing blood pressure. There are several foods to reduce blood pressure like leafy vegetables, fish like tuna and salmon and fruits like bananas, oranges, and avocados are high in potassium.

Cut your Caffeine Intake:

It acts as a stimulant and increases the number of certain hormones which increases your blood pressure. It is advisable to decrease your caffeine intake.

Stress Management:

It is often said, if you can manage stress then you can manage everything. An increase in stress will constrict your blood vessels and increase your heart rate. This will increase your blood pressure. So, it is very important to control stress. Do yoga or listen to soothing music for decreasing stress.

Yoga And Meditation:

Meditation and breathing techniques included in yoga will activate the parasympathetic nervous system. They will stop the release of fight and flight hormones. Due to the relaxation and decrease in blood flow, the blood pressure is lowered. Advasana, Makrasana, Matsya kridasana are few yogic poses that can relax your mind.

Consult an expert yoga expert to know the asana required for relaxation and blood pressure management.

Eat Calcium-Rich Food:

Calcium supplements have been shown to decrease blood pressure. People with low calcium level tend to have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is very common nowadays. It is best to avoid junk food and change lifestyles rather than depending on the medication. There are many options in ayurveda and high blood pressure can be controlled with this. Ayurveda works holistically and acts naturally in reducing blood pressure. It can be a boon for people who are waiting for a remedy to control their blood pressure. Choose your correct ayurvedic aahar to control your blood pressure.

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