What lowers blood pressure?

Question

My mom has really high blood pressure.... she tried everything. pills, grapefruit juice, citrus fruit, garlic, vinegar, mineral water.... it wont go down. PLease Help!!

Answer 1

Maintain a healthy weight. Drastically reduce salt and fat to a bare minimum in your diet.

Answer 2

Eliminating caffeine, nicotine, and salt.

It is said that eating oats (like Cheerio's or Quaker Oats) every day lowers blood pressure.

I believe orange juice may, although I'm not positive.

Eating dark chocolate is actually said to lower it some, but it is said that the quantity required daily would be so high in calories it may not be worth it. Still, the amount they say would do it isn't all that much. Its just that the calories of adding even one candy bar (200) may be too much.

Exercise is supposed to lower it.

Losing even ten lbs is said to lower it.

And, of course, blood pressure medication.

Your mother should be aware that if she is living under a lot of stress stress causes cortisol levels to get elevated, which, in turn, causes blood pressure to go up. If there is any way at all for her to try to reduce stress or find ways to relax in spite of it maybe that would help. She may want to try listening to some really calming music or putting on some really calming potpourri tarts for an hour or so a day. I know it sounds silly, but it could possibly help.

Answer 3

If your mother has really elevated blood pressure it is unlikely that dietary measures will provide any real benefit, at least in the short term. Medications to lower blood pressure individually only reduce the blood pressure by 10-20 mmHg. To be really effective for severe hypertension, medications need to be used in combination, to exploit multiple mechanisms of action. If this still doesn't work then her physician will need to look for other reasons for elevated blood pressure such as hormonal abnormalities (hyperthyroidism and adrenal problems for example) or vascular problems like renal artery stenosis.

In the long run, if weight is an issue, weight loss can play a huge role. Canadian tenor Ben Heppner was in danger of losing his singing voice due to side effects of his blood pressure medications. After over a year out of the opera scene, a much trimmer and healthier Ben Heppner took to the stage again, drug free and with normal blood pressure.

Unfortunately, this takes time. In the meantime, medications and following the advice of a physician may be the only way.

Answer 4

I lowered mine on a natural and healthy antioxidant juice which is known as the miracle juice along with an energy drink and I also lost some weight on this combination. I drink the juice once a day and the energy drink 2 times per day (8am & 1pm). I feel better than I have in years, I am now off of my cholesterol and my blood pressure medicine (but I still monitor it just to be sure but no problems thus far). I work for a major health and energy drink manufacturer and we just recently released the juice and we also released the first powdered energy drink into the market. You can mix it (the energy drink or the juice) with a bottle of water (I use lemon flavored), juice, or your beverage of choice. It works in minutes and last for several hours and they are natural and healthy and diabetic safe as well. If your Mom, yourself, your friends or anyone else would like a FREE SAMPLE of the energy drink check out my profile on how to get one and I'll hook you up. By the way I am 45 and I love my job, it's crazy but fun

Answer 5

Eating foods high in potassium (banana, oranges, broccoli) will flush the sodium out of your system. Sodium tells the kidneys to retain water thus increasing the volume in your blood and causing high BP. Low sodium diets help. Beets also seem to help lower BP. Exercising and having lower cholesterol will allow the blood to flow through your vessels with less resistance which means more stable BP. Doctors may prescribe water pills to decrease your bloods volume and some people think tea and coffee which are also diuretics will help lower bp but since caffeine is a vasoconstrictor it will increase BP. Hope that helps.

Answer 6

G'day Zbbgurl,

Thank you for your question.

She should speak to her doctor and a dietician about what she needs to do to reduce her blood pressure. There are a range of options including diet, exercise, giving up smoking (if she smokes) and stress management. Her doctor may also suggest medication.

I have attached links from credible sources which will provide useful information.

Regards

Answer 7

Reduce her salt intake. Red Zinger Tea., Chamomile ,Catnip, an O.T.C. Water Pill. If you live in an area that has a Chinatown section. Chinese Herbal Stores have numerous medicines for Hypertension. There are a lot of prescription drugs also..

Answer 8

Regular exercise.
Regular prayer and meditation.
Avoid ibuprofen.
Manage stress.
Keep weight within recommended range.
Do not anger. Do not worry.
(for help with those last 2, I recommend www.thework.com)

Answer 9

Get your mother to go to her dr, as there could be another problem as well, just to be on the safe side. Keep salt down as well, watch weight.

Answer 10

Try porridge,kiwi fruit, Get her to see her doctor.