High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major health risk for millions of Canadians. It can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart attack and stroke. The good news is that high blood pressure is often reversible by making changes to your diet and lifestyle. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about this condition and how you can treat it naturally at home—without popping any pills!
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is too high. Blood pressure is measured by two numbers: systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number). The higher these numbers are from normal range, the greater your risk for heart attack and stroke.
The most common way to measure blood pressure is with a sphygmomanometer (sfig-moe-man-OM-a-tur). It’s called that because it measures both systolic and diastolic pressures using an inflatable cuff placed around your arm at three different points: at the brachial artery in your upper arm near where you would place an IV; halfway between this location and just above where it joins with other arteries behind your elbow; then again just below this junction point on what’s called “peripheral” veins–those that carry oxygenated blood back toward your heart once it has circulated through various organs throughout our bodies.
How is high blood pressure diagnosed and treated?
High blood pressure is diagnosed by measuring your blood pressure at least twice. If the first measurement is high, you might need to be checked again. There are many different ways to treat high blood pressure, including medications and lifestyle changes that can reduce stress on your heart.
Naturopathic treatment for hypertension
The naturopathic approach to hypertension involves a number of lifestyle changes, including dietary changes, stress management and exercise. Naturopathic doctors may also recommend herbal and nutritional supplements as part of their treatment for high blood pressure. Acupuncture is another option for people with hypertension who are interested in alternative therapies.
High blood pressure is common, but it’s not inevitable. A naturopathic approach can help you manage the symptoms of high blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke, heart disease and kidney damage.
High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to stroke, heart disease and kidney damage. High blood pressure affects one in three Canadians, but it’s not inevitable–a naturopathic approach can help you manage the symptoms of high blood pressure and reduce your risk of these complications.
In addition to lifestyle changes like exercise and eating well (which we’ll talk about below), there are several natural therapies that can help lower your blood pressure:
- Acupuncture: This technique involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to improve circulation as well as relieve stress. Research shows acupuncture may be effective at reducing both systolic and diastolic readings by up to 6 mmHg.*
- Herbal remedies: Many herbs have been shown in clinical trials to lower systolic readings by an average of 7 mmHg.* These include hawthorn berries (Crataegus oxycantha), garlic cloves (Allium sativum) and Ginkgo biloba extract (Ginkgo biloba).
High blood pressure can be a serious condition, but it’s not inevitable. A naturopathic approach can help you manage the symptoms of high blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke, heart disease and kidney damage.
