Hypertention -High Blood Pressure

zaharah · 26 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:20 pm

zaharah

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9. Work (a little) less

Putting in more than 41 hours per week at the office raises your risk of hypertension by 15%, according to a University of California, Irvine, study of 24,205 California residents. Overtime makes it hard to exercise and eat healthy, says Haiou Yang, PhD, the lead researcher. It may be difficult to clock out super early in today’s tough economic times, but try to leave at a decent hour—so you can go to the gym or cook a healthy meal—as often as possible. Set an end-of-day message on your computer as a reminder to turn it off and go home.
_________________

zaharah · 27 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:20 pm

zaharah

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10. Relax with music (nature sounds work well)

Need to bring down your blood pressure a bit more than medication or lifestyle changes can do alone? The right tunes can help, according to researchers at the University of Florence in Italy. They asked 28 adults who were already taking hypertension pills to listen to soothing classical, Celtic, or Indian music for 30 minutes daily while breathing slowly. After a week, the listeners had lowered their average systolic reading by 3.2 points; a month later, readings were down 4.4 points.

zaharah · 28 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:20 pm

zaharah

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11. Seek help for snoring

It’s time to heed your partner’s complaints and get that snoring checked out. Loud, incessant snores are one of the main symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). University of Alabama researchers found that many sleep apnea sufferers also had high levels of aldosterone, a hormone that can boost blood pressure. In fact, it’s estimated that half of all people with sleep apnea have high blood pressure.

If you have sleep apnea, you may experience many brief yet potentially life-threatening interruptions in your breathing while you sleep. In addition to loud snoring, excessive daytime tiredness and early morning headaches are also good clues. If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor if OSA could be behind it; treating sleep apnea may lower aldosterone levels and improve BP.

Hypertention -High Blood Pressure - Page 2 H510

Last edited by zaharah on Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:45 pm; edited 1 time in total

zaharah · 29 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:21 pm

zaharah

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12. Take control of your Health

Knowing that I am responsible for my health gets me excited to know that I am the main reason to want my pressure in control and I can feel happy with myself.

You are not alone, we will fight in this struggle together, I am doing these 12 steps with you. And so far my favorite is the chocolate

Zaharah

All steps 1-11 were taken from link below:
http://online.prevention.com/lowerbloodpressurenaturally/index.shtml

EbonyRose · 30 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:26 pm

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Hypertention -High Blood Pressure - Page 2 Pomegr11

Lowers Blood Pressure
One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.

EbonyRose · 31 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:33 pm

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Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
Blood Pressure
Studies have shown hibiscus tea to be beneficial in lowering blood pressure and may control cholesterol.

One study was done using adults with pre-hypertension or mild hypertension. Those who had three cups of hibiscus tea a day had better results than those who didn't (a 7.2 point drop in systolic blood pressure compared to 1.3 points). Those who had the highest blood pressure reading at the start of the study, showed the greatest results.

Hypertention -High Blood Pressure - Page 2 Hibisc12

zaharah · 32 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 19, 2010 2:17 pm

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Assalimu Alaikum sister EbonyRose, Mashallah sister thanks so much for this information on the Hibiscus Tea, May Allah be pleased. Sister please add as you like to this thread so that others will be benefited. I found this on Ginger....

•Alleviates High Blood Pressure: Ginger improves and stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscles surrounding blood vessels, facilitating the flow of blood throughout the body.

Hypertention -High Blood Pressure - Page 2 Ginger11

zaharah · 33 Are You Getting Enough Potassium? Sun Oct 10, 2010 2:22 pm

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Potassium is a key player in good health, but you may not be getting enough from food. Here’s how potassium contributes to good health, and how to get the potassium you need.

Potassium is part of every cell in the body, and life would be impossible without it.

However, potassium is often taken for granted, in spite of its role in maintaining fluid balance, and keeping your brain, nerves, heart, and muscles functioning normally on a constant basis.

It’s important to eat enough potassium every day to feel your best, and to help prevent certain chronic conditions. Falling short on potassium on a regular basis could jeopardize your long-term health in more ways that one.

Potassium Protects the Heart, Brain, and More
“Potassium in the diet lowers blood pressure. High blood pressure is the major risk factor for stroke and heart disease,” says Lawrence Appel, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine, epidemiology, and international health at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.

Appel, who has studied the effects of diet on blood pressure, tells WebMD that potassium may curb elevated blood pressure by contributing to more flexible arteries, and by helping the body get rid of excess sodium. Sodium promotes fluid retention, which may result in higher blood pressure.

Potassium may bolster bone strength by helping guard against bone loss, and it helps to reduce the risk for kidney stones.

Potassium’s Partners in Better Blood Pressure
Potassium is important, but there’s more to lowering blood pressure than a single mineral.

“Diets that include foods rich in potassium are associated with lower blood pressure, but it’s not entirely accurate to give all the credit to potassium,” says Marla Heller, MS, RD.

Appel has researched the effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on elevated blood pressure and found that it’s capable of lowering blood pressure, often in a matter of weeks.

Heller, author of The DASH Diet Action Plan, says the relatively low-sodium DASH diet is based on large amounts of fruits and vegetables, low-fat and nonfat dairy, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lean meats, fish, and poultry.

Although the DASH diet is a treasure trove of potassium, it’s also rich in calcium and magnesium, which help reduce blood pressure.

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Got Potassium?
Experts suggest 4,700 milligrams of dietary potassium a day for adults as part of a balanced diet.

But average intake is lower for U.S. adults. Men average 3,200 milligrams per day of potassium, and women average 2,400 milligrams.

“Relying on convenience and restaurants foods and not eating enough fruits and vegetables is why so many people don’t get enough potassium,” Heller says. “Fresh and lightly processed foods, including dairy and meat, have the most potassium.”

Home cooking determines potassium levels in produce, too.

Boiling depletes potassium. For example, a boiled potato has almost half the potassium of a baked potato. To preserve potassium, eat fruits and vegetables raw, or roast or lightly steam them.

When dining out, increase potassium by ordering a salad, extra steamed or roasted vegetables, bean-based dishes, fruit cups, and low-fat milk instead of soda.

Top Potassium Food Sources
Experts say food, not supplements, is the best way to meet potassium needs.

“My preference is food because potassium is found in foods that provide other nutrients, such as fiber, that also have beneficial health effects,” Appel says.

Here’s how many milligrams (mg) of potassium you'll get from these potassium-rich foods:

Winter squash, cubed, 1 cup, cooked: 896 mg
Sweet potato, medium, baked with skin: 694 mg
Potato, medium, baked with skin: 610 mg
White beans, canned, drained, half cup: 595 mg
Yogurt, fat-free, 1 cup: 579 mg
Halibut, 3 ounces, cooked: 490 mg
100% orange juice, 8 ounces: 496 mg
Broccoli, 1 cup, cooked: 457 mg
Cantaloupe, cubed, 1 cup: 431 mg
Banana, 1 medium: 422 mg
Pork tenderloin, 3 ounces, cooked: 382 mg
Lentils, half cup, cooked: 366 mg
Milk, 1% low fat, 8 ounces: 366 mg
Salmon, farmed Atlantic, 3 ounces, cooked: 326 mg
Pistachios, shelled, 1 ounce, dry roasted: 295 mg
Raisins, quarter cup: 250 mg
Chicken breast, 3 ounces, cooked: 218 mg
Tuna, light, canned, drained, 3 ounces: 201 mg
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

You May Need More or Less Potassium
Besides being linked to the potassium in your diet, potassium levels in your body are influenced by several factors, including kidney function, hormones, and prescription and over-the-counter medications.

People who take thiazide diuretics, often used to treat high blood pressure, may need more potassium. That’s because thiazide diuretics promote potassium loss from the body. Steroids and laxatives also deplete potassium.

Other drugs used to lower blood pressure, including beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors, raise potassium levels in the body.

People with reduced kidney function may need to limit their daily potassium intake.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how all of the medications you take affect the potassium levels in your body, and if you need more, or less, of the mineral.

www.webmd.com

zaharah · 34 Added Sugar May Be Linked to Hypertension Risk Sun Oct 10, 2010 2:30 pm

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Study: High-Fructose Diets May Raise Blood Pressure
Added Sugar May Be Linked to Hypertension Risk

July 1, 2010 -- Foods and beverages with high amounts of fructose from added sugar may increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

A type of sugar, fructose is a key ingredient in table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. Added sugars are found in processed foods such as candy, cookies, and cakes, as well as soda.

For the study, data on 4,528 U.S. adults were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2003-2006. Fructose intake was calculated based on self-reported diet information. Those participants who reported eating or drinking 74 grams of fructose or more per day (which the study equates to 2.5 sugary soft drinks per day) had a higher risk of high blood pressure than their counterparts who got less fructose. The findings took into account factors such as age, smoking history, physical activity level, and salt and alcohol intake.

However, the study doesn’t prove that fructose was the cause for the rise in risk.

A link between added sugars and blood pressure is controversial. There are several theories about how fructose affects blood pressure levels, but none is firmly established. For example, high-fructose corn syrup may raise uric acid levels, which have been linked to high blood pressure.

“Limiting fructose intake is readily feasible, and in light of our results, prospective studies are needed to assess whether decreased intake of fructose from added sugars will reduce the incidence of hypertension and the burden of cardiovascular disease in the U.S. adult population,” conclude researchers who were led by Diana I. Jalal, MD, of the University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center in Denver.

Study Flawed, Critics Say
Not so fast, according to The Corn Refiners Association, a national trade group based in Washington, D.C., and others.

The Corn Refiners Association takes issues with the findings and the methodology used in the new study. “The authors failed to learn the true composition of sweeteners used in caloric soft drinks,” according to a statement released by the group. “Caloric soft drinks are not sweetened with 100% fructose. The sweeteners they contain are comprised of almost equal portions of the two simple sugars fructose and glucose, because they are sweetened with either sucrose (table sugar) or high fructose corn syrup (corn sugar).”

As a result, “the authors miscalculated the number of beverages represented by 74+ grams of fructose/day,” the trade group states. “This actually represents four 12-oz sodas (not 2.5), an amount consumed by only the top 5% of consumers [in the study]. Thus, the risk of hypertension from fructose is not a matter of concern for the overwhelming majority of Americans.”

Another weakness of the study is that it relied on asking participants to recall what they ate and drank in the past.

Maureen Storey, PhD, senior vice president of science policy for the American Beverage Association, a trade group in Washington, D.C., also has concerns about the findings. The new study “furthers the confusion and misunderstandings about high fructose corn syrup and sugar-sweetened beverages,” she says in a written statement. “This study fails to show a link between soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages and high blood pressure.”

George Bakris, MD, president of the American Society of Hypertension and a professor of medicine and the director of the Hypertension Center at the University of Chicago, says fructose should not be singled out in terms of its role in raising blood pressure.

“It is not the fructose itself, it is all sugars that are deleterious,” he tells WebMD. “Sugar is the bad guy and lack of exercise is the bad guy when it comes to causing obesity and hypertension. It is not any one thing. Don’t gain weight and your blood pressure won’t go up.”

The study was first presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology in October 2009.
www.webmd.com

zaharah · 35 Coffee May Combat High Blood Pressure Sun Oct 10, 2010 3:01 pm

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Hypertention -High Blood Pressure - Page 2 Coffee12

Coffee May Combat High Blood Pressure
Chemicals in Coffee Appear to Combat Blood Vessel

2010 (Stockholm, Sweden) -- Older people with high blood pressure who drink one to two cups of coffee a day have more elastic blood vessels than people who drink less or more, Greek researchers report.

As we age, our blood vessels get stiffer, and that's thought to increase the risk of high blood pressure. The new findings suggest moderate coffee drinking may counteract this process.

Previous research has shown conflicting results as to whether coffee is good or bad for the heart.

The new study involved 485 men and women, aged 65 to 100, who live on a small island called Ikaria, in the Aegean Sea, where more than a third of people live to celebrate their 90th birthday.

"We were aiming to evaluate the secrets of the long-livers of Ikaria," says study head Christina Chrysohoou, BSc, of the University of Athens.

She presented the findings at the European Society of Cardiology Congress.

Coffee Improves Blood Vessel Elasticity
Participants, all of whom had high blood pressure, underwent imaging scans to measure the stiffness of their blood vessels.

Of the total, 33% of participants drank no coffee or less than one cup of coffee a day, 56% drank one to two cups, and 11% drank three or more cups a day.

People who drank one to two cups of coffee a day had about a 25% greater elasticity in their major blood vessels than people who drank less coffee or none at all.

Their blood vessel elasticity was about five times greater than people who drank three or more cups a day.

The analysis took into account factors that can affect blood vessel aging -- age, gender, smoking, education, physical activity, body weight, blood pressure, nutritional habits, and diabetes.

The study also showed that people who drank one to two cups of coffee a day were less likely to have diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, or to be overweight, compared to people who drank more coffee or less coffee, Chrysohoou says.

Nutrients in Coffee Credited for Fighting Blood Vessel Aging
Most of the men and women drank traditional Greek coffee in small, espresso-sized cups.

Greek coffee is considerably stronger, with more caffeine, than espresso, Chrysohoou tells WebMD.

She credits compounds, including flavonoids, magnesium, potassium, niacin, and vitamin E, for combating blood vessel aging by blocking the damaging oxidation process and reducing harmful inflammation. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. This, in turn, can start chain reactions that damage cells.

Traditional Greek coffee contains more of these chemicals than most other types of coffee as it is unfiltered and boiled, Chrysohoou says.

"We recommend hypertensive patients drink coffee in moderation, just one to two cups a day, as it seems that it may improve arterial aging," Chrysohoou says.

One limitation of the study is that participants drank their coffee in cafes with friends or with family at home, in a relaxed atmosphere. Therefore, the psychological benefits of socializing on heart health may help explain the findings.

Expert Skeptical
American Heart Association spokesman Ray Gibbons, MD, tells WebMD that he is skeptical of the results.

"I'm concerned whether this finding could be reproduced," he says.

Other factors in the Greek lifestyle, such as the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, could explain the results, Gibbon says.

Hypertention -High Blood Pressure - Page 2 Coffee13

www.webmd.com

zaharah · 36 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:20 pm

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Hypertention -High Blood Pressure - Page 2 Lemong10

Lemon Grass Tea

Quick natural relief for those suffering from high blood pressure would be to take a glass or two of pineapple juice. Pineapple contains high levels of potassium which helps bring down high blood pressure. A tablespoon or two of fish oil is a tried and tested high blood pressure cure. Lemon grass tea have also been found to help reduce high blood pressure, as with most diuretics as these immediately lowers the salt levels in your body which contribute to your body’s vulnerability to high blood pressure.

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Hypertention -High Blood Pressure

26 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:20 pm

zaharah

27 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:20 pm

zaharah

28 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:20 pm

zaharah

29 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:21 pm

zaharah

30 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:26 pm

EbonyRose

31 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:33 pm

EbonyRose

32 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sun Sep 19, 2010 2:17 pm

zaharah

33 Are You Getting Enough Potassium? Sun Oct 10, 2010 2:22 pm

zaharah

34 Added Sugar May Be Linked to Hypertension Risk Sun Oct 10, 2010 2:30 pm

zaharah

35 Coffee May Combat High Blood Pressure Sun Oct 10, 2010 3:01 pm

zaharah

36 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:20 pm

zaharah

37 Re: Hypertention -High Blood Pressure

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