High blood pressure occurs when there is an increase in the force of blood flow against the artery and the heart walls. Smoking, obesity, too much alcohol, strees, and heart conditions are contributing factors. There are no obvious symptoms of high blood pressure, but the condition can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and sometimes damage to the eyes.

Treatment - Dietary.

Studies show that following a vegetarian diet can significantly lower or even eliminate high blood pressure. If you decide to become a vegetarian, ensure that you replace meat with sufficient vegetable protein, such as soya, cooked dried beans, nuts, seeds, and wholegrain cereals. Reduce intake of animal fat (meat, eggs, butter, cream), sugar and salt. Increase intake of fibre, found in wholegrain breads and cereals, vegetables and fruit. Increase intake of potassium, found in fish, orange juice, bananas, potatoes, avocados, lima beans, tomatoes, apricots, peaches. Increase intake of calcium, found in low fat milk, yogurt and cheese, sesame seeds, chick peas, spinach and broccoli. Increase intake of magnesium, found in nuts, cooked dried beans and peas, soya beans, dark green leafy vegetables, seafood and milk.

Aromatherapy

Lavender has been shown in studies to aid relaxation. Add a few drops to the bath and relax in the soothing odour. A professional aromatherapy treatment is very therapeutic.

Chinese Medicine

Chinese herbs are effective in treating high blood pressure. Treatment should be carried out by a professional; herbs such as chrysanthemum flowers, peony root and astragalus are likely to be prescribed.

Massage

Regular massage can greatly help relieve stress. Go to a qualified therapist or teach yourself and a friend to do it, then exchange treatments.

Exercise

Regular non-competitive exercise is vital in treating this condition. Walking, gentle swimming or cycling are all benefical activities. However, consult your health professional before embarking on a new exercise routine.

Relaxation/Stress Relief

Stress is one of the principal causes of high blood pressure. Learning to identify what arouses anger, anxiety and other types of emotional stress in your professional and personal life is one of the first steps in treatment. Consider the following questions when you think about resolving stress:

Are you always in a hurry? Do you always work to deadlines? Do you snatch meals and eat quickly? Do you get less than 7 hours sleep each night? Do you participate in competitive sports? Do you often have conflict in your personal relationships?

Sometimes stress relief is simply a question of easing work commitments and getting more sleep. For some people however, help is required to make necessary lifestyle changes: professional counselling, family or group therapy can be helpful. Biofeedback can help you learn to relax if you have difficulties.

Yoga

Attending a yoga class will provide relaxation and stretching, while improving your breathing, vital to good circulation. The following routine should be carried out once daily:

Lie on a firm surface, close your eyes and become aware of how your body feels. Focus your attention on each part of your body, starting with the tips of the toes, and finishing with your face and eyes; consciously try to relax every part of your body in turn. The whole procedure should take at least 10 minutes. Yogic breathing helps relaxation: kneel on the floor; place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Inhale, allowing your stomach to bulge out, then slowly exhale, feeling your stomach deflate. Then place your hand on your chest and repeat the procedure, allowing your chest to bulge and deflate. Repeat this pattern for several minutes.

Professional Help

Homeopathy can treat high blood pressure successfully, but a personal prescription must be made, taking account of the individual’s physical and emotional situation. Therefore, professional treatment is recommended.

Orthodox

Doctors advise stopping smoking, cutting down consumption of alcohol, animal fats and salt, and losing weight. Drugs such as beta-blockers (which lowers the heart rate), diuretics (which encourage the excertion of urine), or vasodilators (which enlarge the blood vessels) may be recommended.

Minerals

To lower blood pressure reduce sodium chloride, and increase calcium, magnesium and potassium, of these magnesium is the most important.

Vitamins

Vitamin C and vitamin E are very important for a healthy heart.