How to Lower Blood Pressure Quickly at Home

Modern times have brought us many great technological advances that help ease our life. But, it has also brought us face to face with some diseases and health problems related to our stressful modern age. Of these many health conditions is high blood pressure. It is known as the silent killer that can lead to heart attacks that prove fatal. We shall read a bit about how to lower blood pressure quickly at home that will help us keep the condition under control.

What is High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It has been found that one in every four adults suffer from high blood pressure. And most of these people are not even aware that they suffer from this silent disease. This is because most of the time, high blood pressure has no symptoms. The heart pumps blood into the arteries and this creates a pressure that is called blood pressure. This pressure is very important to keep the blood circulating within the body. However, when the pressure is high it causes narrowing of the small blood vessels (capillaries). Thus, putting more pressure on the arteries to pump blood, leading to high blood pressure.

When the heart contracts, it helps push the blood into the body. This gives rise to systolic pressure that occurs between each heartbeat. The blood pressure is highest during the systolic pressure. When the heart relaxes, the pressure is present in the artery. This causes diastolic pressure that occurs between two beats. It is at this point that the blood pressure is at its lowest. The normal blood pressure is supposed to be around 120/80 mm Hg. However, when the blood pressure is 105/90 mm Hg it is called mild hypertension. When the pressure reaches 160/95 mm Hg, it is considered as moderate hypertension and severe hypertension is indicated by a blood pressure of 200/110 mm Hg.

The causes of high blood pressure include age, obesity, regular smoking, alcohol consumptions, high sodium diet, pregnancy, inactive lifestyle as well as use of oral contraceptives. Stress and hot temper behavior also cause high blood pressure.

How to Reduce Blood Pressure without Medications
Once you are diagnosed with hypertension, the doctor will advise you hypertension medication that help keep your blood pressure within the normal range. However, medication do not suit every individual and one looks for remedies to lower blood pressure without medication. There are many things that you could do to keep your blood pressure normal. Let us have a look at the various remedies that help you learn reducing blood pressure fast.

Change in Diet
In today's fast paced life, people tend to stick to a junk food diet. Fast foods are high in salt content and contain high levels of fats and cholesterol. Such a diet does more harm than good and leads to high blood pressure. In order to decrease blood pressure quickly, one needs to reduce the amount of salt intake in their diet. Do not eat fried foods and start eating light and healthy. You should eat potassium rich foods like raisins, figs, apricots, etc that help balance the amount of sodium in the body. You should eat more of fresh foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grain meals and fish. This will help you get the required nutrition in your diet as well as provide you with the helpful antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids that keep your heart healthy.

Breathing Right
Breathing helps you relax and calm your mind and lower your heart rate. This is why you should learn some useful breathing exercises that help you breathe right. Every time you are stressed and feel your blood pressure rise, move to a quiet corner. Sit in a relaxed position and breathe in through your nose. Do not allow your chest to rise, but make your stomach move. Breathe in and count till 8 in your mind. Now, release your breath within the count of 8. This will help you calm your mind, lower your heart rate and blood pressure quickly. Apart from this, you should try meditation, yoga, massage and take a short nap during the day to keep your blood pressure in control.

Water Magic
It is very important to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day to keep your blood pressure low. Water helps flush away harmful toxins in the blood that cause increase in pressure. Also, it helps flush away excessive salts that cause rise in blood pressure.

Exercise
Regular exercising, like a light aerobic practice for 15 to 20 minutes daily will help keep the blood flow normal. Do not go in for heavy duty exercises but more of cardio workouts, which will keep your blood pressure in check.

Change in Lifestyle
You should stop smoking and drinking as it causes high blood pressure. Excessive smoking and drinking alcohol tends to damage the arteries. This causes circulation problems and increase in blood pressure. Also, nutrients are pushed away from the heart due to alcohol. Thus, stay away from smoking and heavy drinking.

How to Reduce Blood Pressure Naturally
Apart from the above regular lifestyle changes that you should follow, there are a few more remedies that will help your blood pressure get back to normal quickly and naturally. Let us have a look at these remedies that will help in lowering blood pressure quickly:

• You should eat more of oranges and other citrus fruits high in vitamin C. This is an effective method of lowering blood pressure in a few days. You should eat oranges on an empty stomach, in case you suffer from very high blood pressure.
• Watermelon is another fruit that helps reduce blood pressure. You need to make watermelon juice and sprinkle little black pepper powder along with a pinch of salt. Drink the juice regularly and find your blood pressure reduce in a few days.
• You should chew on a clove of garlic on empty stomach. If you want you can drink a glass of water to swallow the chewed clove. Garlic contains allicin that helps in lowering cholesterol. Thus, helping in controlling high blood pressure to a great extent.
• Celery has mild diuretic properties that helps reduce blood pressure. You should eat at least 4 stalks of celery daily to observe results.
• You should apply a few drops of lavender essential oil on a handkerchief and breathe in the aroma every time you feel your blood pressure rise. This will have a relaxing effect on your mind and help reduce high blood pressure immediately. However, the effect is temporary.
• Listen to sooth and calming music and meditate. This will reduce the stress and control the pressure in your arteries. Jog, walk, dance, etc. to keep your body active and improve circulation to your heart.

So, this is all about how to lower blood pressure quickly at home. A healthy diet, regular exercise, no smoking and drinking plenty of water will help keep your blood pressure in control. Do follow your doctors instructions and advice to lower hypertension as well. The above remedies are a part of an alternate treatment that you should follow along with your doctor's advice.