High blood pressure (or hypertension) is often referred to as a “silent killer” because by the time you experience any symptoms, your condition is severe. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure, but only a quarter of that group has their hypertension under control. When your blood flows through your arteries at higher-than-normal pressures, you’re at risk for serious health problems, including strokes, heart attacks, aneurysms, eye damage, vascular dementia, and more. It is not safe to ignore high blood pressure, which is why medical providers are quick to prescribe medication to address it.

Once someone goes on high blood pressure medication, it can be extremely difficult to ever stop taking it. However, prescriptions are not the only means of addressing high blood pressure. Natural healing approaches and lifestyle changes can also be effective in

controlling and lowering hypertension, helping to reduce the need to rely on medication. Here’s what to know about high blood pressure and what you can do to address it.

Warning: If you are currently on blood pressure medication, changes should only be made under the supervision of a physician. Abrupt changes or discontinuing medication can have serious side effects.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts against the walls of your arteries as blood is pumped through the body. It normally rises and falls throughout the day, depending on what you are doing. Blood pressure measurements are given in two numbers separated by a slash—systolic pressure (when the blood is pumped out of the heart) and diastolic pressure (when your heart is refilling with blood between heartbeats). A normal systolic pressure should be under 120 mm of mercury and a normal diastolic pressure should be under 80 mm of mercury. Your blood pressure is considered to be high if your systolic pressure is consistently 130 mm or higher or your diastolic reading is 80 mm or higher.

Symptoms of high blood pressure can include headaches, shortness of breath, vision changes, chest pain, nosebleeds, dizziness, or more. However, a lack of symptoms does not mean that your blood pressure is normal or that elevated readings are not a problem. Usually, by the time someone feels symptoms high blood pressure has already caused serious issues.

Everyone should have their blood pressure measured at least once a year by a healthcare provider. It is also possible to take blood pressure readings at home with the right equipment.

Risk factors for high blood pressure include sex (men are more likely to have it than women), age (risk rises the older you get), a family history of hypertension, poor lifestyle habits, stress, and medical conditions like obesity and sleep apnea.

How a Natural Approach Can Improve Your Blood Pressure

It is possible to promote healthy blood pressure with natural approaches that also support overall health, including:

• Good nutrition: A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole foods and that avoids saturated fats and excessive sodium
• Regular physical activity: A consistent habit of moderate aerobic activity like brisk walking is best, but even light-intensity activity can help
• Healthy sleep: Improving the amount and quality of nighttime rest
• Managing stress: Adopting healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress such as relaxation techniques and meditation, taking adaptagens, (good diet, exercise, and rest also help!)

Controlling cholesterol and blood sugar levels, trying to achieve a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking can all also help lower blood pressure.

At the Natural Healing Center, our focus is on empowering our clients to take control of their health by harnessing the body’s natural healing abilities to promote long-term wellness. That starts with nutrition—giving your body exactly what it needs to function as it should. We take the guesswork out of the process with Nutrition Response Testing™, a simple, noninvasive system that accurately identifies the nutrients your body needs that may be lacking in your current diet. We also offer a variety of natural healing modalities that can help combat stress, improve rest, and reduce inflammation that can negatively affect your health.

If you’re unsure of where to start making the changes you need to get your blood pressure under control, the Natural Healing Center is here to guide you. We’ll create an individualized plan that helps you make lasting, sustainable changes for a better, healthier future. To schedule your free initial consultation, contact us here today.