What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is a common condition found mostly in adults above the age of 50.  Blood pressure,is the force with which blood is pumped from our hearts into our arteries. If the pressure on the walls of the arteries increases due to more blood flow and thinner arteries, blood pressure will increase. If this condition persists and is not kept in control, it may eventually cause heart disease.
 

The normal Blood pressure of an adult reads 120/80 mmHg.
 

Some trivia : The first number (higher number) is the pressure when your heart pumps blood through your body. It is called as systolic pressure. Whereas the second number (lower number) is the pressure when your heart relaxes. This is called the diastolic pressure.

How does it happen?

Blame it on the modern fast paced life style or the fact that we are choked upto our necks with work, stress and tension have become a part and parcel of our lives just like a bad television show. We know where the plot is going and who is going to conspire against whom, yet we continue to watch it with baited eyes and wide open ears. Unfortunately, there are no repeats in life. Good health must be your major priority. 
 

• Age: Blood pressure increases with age

• Diet: Unhealthy diet choices, oily and over spicy food. 

• Obesity: Heavy weight at any age can be unhealthy and may cause many life threatening problems.

• Lack of exercise: Its not only for the fat and unfit. Regular exercise is a must for a fit and healthy body.

• Stress and erratic work schedules: Multitasking is achievable but at an unhealthy price. Try and minimize your work load. 

• Improper lifestyle: Sleep deprivation is a major cause for many diseases. 

• Hormonal factors: Hormonal changes are seen in women especially during menopause and pregnancy which can cause high blood pressure.

• High intake of sodium rich salt: The sodium in the salt (sodium chloride) is responsible for high blood pressure.high blood pressure.

Tackling high blood pressure is quite challenging and many people resort to home remedies instead of medicines. Research shows that home remedies are more long lasting and have a beneficial effect on the body.

Here are some Home remedies that can help you keep your blood pressure in check.

• Lemons: Lemons help keep blood vessels soft and remove any rigidity. Due to its Vitamin C content, regular consumption of lemon juice will certainly lower your chances of heart failure.
  Drink  a cup of hot water with half a lemon squeezed in it on an empty stomach every morning. Avoid adding salt or sugar.
   
• Garlic: Both raw and cooked garlic help control blood pressure and also reduce cholesterol levels. They help in keeping arteries relaxed. Have one to two raw cloves of garlic. Crush them and eat them. Its not going to taste so well and may cause a burning sensation. You can have it with milk if you want. You can also include garlic in your meal wherever possible.
   
• Banana: Include a banana in your meals everyday. It has a high potassium content which helps in balancing out the excessive sodium content in your body.
   
• Coconut water: People with high blood pressure need to keep themselves hydrated. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily is also helpful.
   
• Honey: Honey has a soothing effect on the blood vessels. Eat two spoons of honet\y on an empty stomach.  You can also mix one teaspoon each of honey and ginger juice with two teaspoons of cumin seed powder. Eat it twice a day.
   
• Fenugreek seeds: Take a spoon full of fenugreek seeds. Now swallow it with water on empty stomach early in the morning. This will help to keep your blood pressure under control.
   
• Watermelon: It is also help in keeping a control over your high blood pressure.
   
• Yoga and Exercises: Regular exercises are very effective in staying fit. Go for a walk or a jog in the morning. Go for a swim or go to a gym, cycle around your neighbourhood during the weekends, but certainly exercise. It will help you loose weight if you are obese and keep the muscles active and running even if you are not.

These effective home remedies will surely relieve you from high blood pressure and keep you fit as a fiddle.