What's the best home remedy for blood pressure

[donheld]

I received a rather unpleasant high blood pressure reading today. I have no health insurance. Anybody know a way to get it down over the short term and long term?


On edit: maybe it's cuz I spend too much time in GD: P

[Wapsie B]

1. Exercise, even walking can help.

That works for me.

[Lars39]

2. I was told today that losing just 10 pounds can lower BP by 5 points.

And walking at least 3 X/week.

[Forkboy]

3. Avoiding politics.

:)

I've heard that Valerian can help, as does celery/celery oil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_(herb)

http://www.indianchild.com/health/natural-remedies-high-blood-pressure.htm

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

4. Cut down on salt

And exercise as much as you can. Make sure you remember to breathe - holding your breath while exercising causes the BP to increase and puts extra strain on the heart.

[TZ]

17. Ding! Thats the big winner..cutting out salt

I have HBP (because of other risk factors I am on meds) but exercise is one of the best natural methods. Cutting out the sodium is the next best thing..which means watching the amount of processd foods you eat as they are high in sodium..This is a better way than going out and buying expensive herbs and supplements many of which are dubious in effectiveness (or at least not as effective as exercise and eating less salt)

[RadiationTherapy]

5. Cayenne pepper is very good for HBP, according to that knowledge.

Garlic lowers cholesterol; I think that is "proven".

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear donheld...

If you don't mind my asking...

You can PM if you'd like, but as a retired RN, I'm curious as to what it was...

Lose some weight, and some gentle exercises are good ways to get it down...

Stop smoking if you smoke!

The nicotine in cigarettes causes the little veins all over your body to constrict, and that raises your BP...

Please take care of yourself!

:hug:

[Lil Missy]

7. Are you overweight? Smoke or drink?

Those are all risk factors.

[donheld]

11. Yes, no, no

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. Not watching the news, and having a Democrat in the White House.

[Robeson]

9. Some very simple rules...

...

1) Eat a diet low in saturated and hydrogenated fats, cholesterol, salt, and processed, refined foods, both fats and sugars.

2) Eat high-fiber foods.

3) Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

4) Exercise or have regular, active lifestyle, especially including walking.

5) Keep body fat low.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

10. Leeches

...or bloodletting.

Nope, I'm not kidding.

http://www.jonbarron.org/blog_published/2008/03/bloodletting_and_leeches.html

[donheld]

12. Can you send me some, I'm fresh out

:D

[khashka]

14. God, you sound like me!

It does work but freaks most people out.

Khash.

[IronLionZion]

13. Check this out

yes, also do the exercise and eating right that others have suggested. Consider thinning your blood as well. There are foods for that. Also donate some blood.

Check this out:
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Hypertension.htm

Blood thinners don't actually thin your blood. They reduce clotting. Use in moderation.
http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/blood-thinners-anticoagulants.html

[grasswire]

15. you ought to know that good meds for HBP are cheap

Atenolol, a commonly prescribed drug for BP, is only $4 at Krogers, Wal-Mart, and other pharmacies who do that $4 thing. The regular price before they went to the $4 was only $12.

If you could get to a low-cost clinic where they have a sliding scale, perhaps you would be able to the the rx. I have taken atenolol for years. No side effects; makes me feel lots better.

It is said that one can lower BP through breathing exercises. Deep, slow breathing. I do know that a few deep slow breaths will calm your pulse -- perhaps that's the same effect.

Oh, and where did you get this reading? You might want to go to one of those machines and do it several times, relaxing and breathing before you take it. Do that for a couple of days, and see how it is.

[NMDemDist2]

16. garlic

honest, garlic lowers blood pressure, they have 'odorless' tablets available in most health food stores

[newmajority]

18. Dark Chocolate, believe it or not

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20050311/dark-chocolate-may-lower-blood-pressure

[donheld]

19. Thank you all for your input

It does help. This is something I just learned. I've taken quite a bit of Advil lately. So maybe I'll use Tylenol instead. I do plan to see if I can get some help tomorrow.

Certain medications, especially NSAIDS (Motrin/ibuprofen) and steroids can cause hypertension.

[Connonym]

20. perhaps too graphic but one thing to keep in mind about high blood pressure

prolonged hypertension can cause impotence because high blood pressure damages blood vessels. Something to keep in mind if you need inspiration to make some lifestyle changes. Sorry if that was too vulgar.

[donheld]

21. Not a problem

not too graphic and at least as yet not a problem the other way :)

[bertha katzenengel]

22. 1. Stay the hell outta GD:P. 2. Stop thinking of Itchy & Scratchy's ongoing blood battles.

;)

3. Exercise
4. Cut down on caffeine.

Good luck, donheld.

edit: I know it's "Itchy," not "Itch."

-ladies-letters.pdf

[donheld]

24. ok

:rofl:

[bertha katzenengel]

25. By the way, do you just like those characters, or are you a Simpsons fan?

Here's a letter that Marge Simpson wrote to first lady Barbara Bush. Third letter down. I LOVE IT! (PDF)

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/documents/first

[donheld]

26. I really like the characters and I think they really illustrate GD:P

[Lady Freedom]

23. Stay out of GD:P!

Are you trying for a heartattack?

[Frank Cannon]

27. Divorce.

[NJmaverick]

28. Lose weight, cut out caffiene and cigarettes and salt

Get more excercise and reduce your stress.