Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as a systolic BP greater than 140 mmHg and diastolic BP higher than 90 mmHg. In the list of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension is at the top of the list. But there are other complications brought about by high blood pressure which can affect a person’s quality of life and seriously endanger the life of that person if left untreated.

• •  Small blood vessels supply the eyes with blood, and hypertension can damage these delicate structures. Retinopathy comes as a result of excessive damage to the blood vessels that supply the retina with blood, causing blockage or leakage. This will eventually lead to symptoms such as blurred vision or worse, complete blindness. Also, optic neuropathy is caused by damage to the optic nerve. It can result to death of cells present in the eyes and may cause vision loss.

• Increased pressure of blood that is flowing through the blood vessels may cause atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis and aneurysm. Damage to the walls of the arteries can cause the walls to become stiff and thick making blood flow even more difficult. Blood supply to other organs will be impaired which can cause problems such as peripheral arterial disease, stroke, kidney failure, heart failure, heart attack and chest pain.

• Because of the damage in the arteries and the resultant impairment in blood supply to various organs in the body, the brain will also be affected. Temporary disruption to the brain’s blood supply will cause Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). A stroke may also occur when the brain is deprived of essential nutrients and oxygen. Mild impairment in cognition as well as dementia may also be a by-product of hypertension.

How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

The study has presented the benefit of using aged garlic extract to help lower systolic blood pressure. Kyolic is a form of aged garlic extract which is very much recommended because of its efficacy and safety.

Here are other ways to lower blood pressure the natural way:

1. Get rid of excess pounds

   As weight increases, so does your blood pressure. So if you want to reduce your blood pressure, then you should reduce your weight. Aside from weight, it is also advised that you watch your waistline. Too much belly fat puts you at a higher risk of hypertension.

2. Exercise

   Doing any form of exercise for at least 30 minutes each day can significantly reduce your blood pressure levels by 4 to 9 mmHg. Cardio exercises keeps your heart healthy and in shape. Exercise stimulates the muscles to contract, enhancing blood flow to different parts of the body.

3. Eat healthy

   Choose to eat the right kinds of food. Examples of these are vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Avoid those that are rich in saturated fats and cholesterol and it will help reduce your blood pressure by approximately 14 mmHg. This type of diet plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. But remember that you do not have to totally stop from eating the foods that you love. Allow yourself to indulge once in a while but always remember to do things in moderation.

4. Reduce table salt intake

   Too much salt has been associated with increased blood pressure and normally, hypertensive people are told to avoid salt. If you really need to use salt, go for organic, unrefined salt since it contains more minerals compared to refined table salt. Forego junk foods, bacon, frozen dinners and processed foods as these are high in sodium. More importantly, before you put anything inside your grocery cart, learn to read the label.

5. Reduce Stress

   Anxiety or stress can cause your blood pressure to increase. Learn to cope with the stessors by doing meditation or yoga. Sometimes, it can be as simple as taking deep breaths. If worse comes to worst, choose to seek professional help and go for counselling sessions.

6. Use Garlic.

   Scientists from Australia’s University of Adelaide reported in Maturitas that daily consumption of an aged garlic’s extract could possibly lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) by up to 10.2 mmHg. The said reduction, however, were only seen in people whose initial SBP is at 140 mmHg or above. For people whose SBP were lower than 140 mmHg, no effects were seen.

   The study is said to be the first to look at the potential health benefits derived from the consumption of extracts from aged garlic, especially in reducing chronically high blood pressure. The result of the study is a welcome addition to the ever-growing numbers of information supporting the promising capability of garlic in promoting a healthy heart. The awareness of consumers regarding garlic’s health benefits, especially in enhancing the health of the immune and cardiovascular systems, has done wonders to the supplements industry particularly because consumers would like to avail of the benefits of garlic without having to deal with the odour that is typically associated with a fresh bulb.

   Four capsules of aged garlic extract as a form of supplementation were used in the new study for 12 weeks, supplying 960 milligrams – which contains 2.4 milligrams of S-allylcysteine – daily. The researchers explained that aged garlic extract is considered safe and is more tolerable compare to garlic powder. Aged garlic extract also possess far greater antihypertensive properties than garlic that is raw or cooked. Additionally, aged garlic extract contains an active component known as S-allylcysteine which is more stable compared to the allicin found in garlic powder, making it easily standardised.

Sources
mayoclinic.com
mayoclinic.com
nutraingredients.com