Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is different in the arterial and venous circulation. Between the two, the flow most frequently subject to pathological variations is the arterial one, which exerts a maximum and a minimum pressure (systolic and diastolic) on the vessel wall.
Of the two pressure values, the one considered “more important” is that of the minimum pressure.
Blood pressure is expressed as the unit of measurement in millimeters on a mercury column (mm / Hg).
The alterations in blood pressure can be excess (high blood pressure and possibly overt hypertension) and defect (low blood pressure).
Paradoxically, the first condition is noxious but asymptomatic and the second, while being clearly perceptible, only causes a lot of weakness.
Normal pressure values ​​are 70mmHg / 110mmHg or 80mmHg / 120mmHg (minimum / maximum pressure).
Chronic hypertension contributes to the onset of vascular events also in the heart and brain; these may be responsible for permanent death / disability. In addition, it causes the degeneration of the kidneys, eyes and other tissues.
High blood pressure can be due to:

• Genetic predisposition.
• Obesity.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Nutritional factors.

The published material is intended to allow quick access to general advice, suggestions and remedies that doctors and textbooks usually dispense for the treatment of High Blood Pressure; such indications must in no way substitute the opinion of the attending physician or other health specialists in the sector who are treating the patient. .

In case of a positive diagnosis of high blood pressure or pre-hypertension:

• Contact a dietician for:
• Lose weight: remember that every 10kg of fat disposed of (especially abdominal fat) the pressure tends to drop by 5-20mmHg.
• Structuring a diet for hypertension:
• Reduction of harmful nutritional factors.
• Increase of beneficial nutritional factors.
• Increase the level of physical activity.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Assess the relevance of natural remedies, supplements and therapies.
• Reduce other risk factors for cardiovascular events:
• Obesity.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Hypercholesterolemia.
• Hypertriglyceridemia.
• Oxidative stress.
• If nutritional and behavioral therapy has no effect, the doctor will evaluate the relevance of a drug treatment.

and not to practice or partially respect the indications on motor activity.

Ignore the presence of other risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events:

• Obesity.
• Pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Hypercholesterolemia.
• Hypertriglyceridemia.

Neglecting drug therapies to lower blood pressure.

Attention, the pressure rises at night. For this, according to experts, nighttime blood pressure is the most important.

: they are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic (DHA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA). They play a protective role against all metabolic diseases, including high blood pressure. The first two are biologically very active and are mainly contained in : sardine, mackerel, bonito, sardinella, herring, alletterato, tuna belly, garfish, seaweed, krill, etc. The third, however, is less active but constitutes a precursor of EPA; it is mainly contained in the fat fraction of certain vegetable origin and related oils of: soy, linseed, kiwi seed, grape seed etc.

Potassium: increasing its intake in the diet decreases blood pressure and increases the urinary excretion of sodium. By reaching a dose of 4000mg / day it is possible to reduce blood pressure up to 4mmHg. It is contained in all foods, with the exception of seasoning fats. However, the foods that are most suitable for increasing its intake in the diet are fresh and raw vegetables and fruit.

Magnesium: like the previous one, it promotes the lowering of blood pressure. Doses of 120-973mg / day (over 200% of the requirement) have been shown to be effective in reducing hypertension. It is mainly contained in foods of plant origin; in particular: whole grains and bran, oil seeds, cocoa, vegetables, etc.

Flavanols: apples, green tea, cocoa, blueberries, red onions, spinach, are all foods rich in flavanols and flavonoids, capable of lowering blood pressure.

The consumption of extra virgin olive oil is inversely proportional to high blood pressure. This does not necessarily depend on oleic acid (omega 9); in fact, this seasoning fat is also rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, polyphenols and phytosterols, etc.
For those suffering from other metabolic pathologies or overt metabolic syndrome it may be useful to increase the intake of:

• Omega 6 fatty acids.
• Omega 9 fatty acids.
• Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
• Lecithins.
• Polyphenols and phytosterols.

(sodium chloride) and used as a preservation medium for: cured meats, sausages, canned meat, canned fish, pickled or salted foods, etc. They are also rich in them: salty snacks, fast food and junk food in general.

Saturated and hydrogenated fats, the latter especially in trans conformation: they are related to an increase in blood pressure, cholesterolemia and systemic inflammation. Saturated fats are mainly present in: fatty cheeses, cream, fatty cuts of fresh meat, sausages and cured meats, hamburgers, frankfurters, palm kernel and palm oil, other bifractionated oils, etc. Hydrogenated fats, which may have a high percentage of trans-conformation chains, are mainly contained in: hydrogenated oils, margarines, sweet snacks, salty snacks, packaged baked goods etc.

Alcohol: it is a molecule directly involved in the pathological increase in blood pressure. All beverages are involved, from the lightest to spirits. However, it must be specified that one or two units of red wine per day are not considered cardiovascular risk factors, for example. On the contrary, thanks to the concentration of polyphenols, they seem to have a preventive function.

Licorice: widely used for gastric problems (eg gastritis and reflux), however, it has the side effect of significantly increasing blood pressure.

prolonged (brisk walking, cycling, rowing, swimming, running, etc.) favors the decrease of high blood pressure.

Food supplements:

• Omega 3, based on oils obtained from peach products and seeds:
• Cod liver oil: rich in essential omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), vitamin D and vitamin A.
• Krill oil: is part of zooplankton and is rich in essential omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA).
• Algae oil: rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids (EPA and DHA).
• Wheat germ oil, linseed oil, sesame oil, etc. They contain ALA and vitamin E.
• Arginine: it is an amino acid precursor of nitric oxide, a molecule essential for the maintenance of vascular endothelial function. A few grams per day of arginine could have a positive effect.
• Diuretics: are products capable of increasing renal filtration. By promoting urine production, blood plasma volume and pressure are reduced. It is advisable not to overdo it and avoid them in the presence of drug therapy. Some are: pineapple, birch, artichoke, cucumber, walnut leaves, onion, horsetail, fennel, apple, nettle, elder flowers, corn stigmas and dandelions.
• Hypotensive plant extracts: they seem to act differently from diuretics, but still have a beneficial effect on high blood pressure. Some are: garlic, onion, rauwolfia, birch, hawthorn, heart, ginkgo biloba, blueberry, orthosiphon, mistletoe, red vine, olive, periwinkle, uncaria, lily of the valley, ligustic, carcadè (hibiscus), evodia and Iranian yarrow.

and pressure.

Sympatholytics or adrenergic inhibitors: they are divided into alpha and beta blockers. They are antagonists of the receptors in the sympathetic system and prevent the interaction with the adrenergic molecules that favor vasoconstriction.

Calcium antagonists: act on the smooth muscle of blood vessels and block the calcium ion channels. In practice, they prevent the contraction of muscle fibers and keep the vessel walls relaxed.

Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system: this link is at the basis of blood pressure regulation. By reducing the renin-angiotansin system, these drugs promote the decrease in blood volume and dilate the arteries.

Direct-acting vasodilators.

Medicines for hypertensive emergency: they do not represent a therapy but an instant remedy for severe cases.

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Practice regular motor activity, especially aerobic.

Avoid smoking and alcoholism.

Follow a proper diet, limiting the foods not recommended and increasing those beneficial for high blood pressure.

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