It’s a serious problem millions of Americans – 67 million, to be exact — are facing: high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is the force of blood on the walls of blood vessels as it flows through them. High blood pressure makes a person’s heart work harder and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
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Many people have high blood pressure, but do not experience symptoms. That is why it is sometimes called the silent killer.
This month, for National Blood Pressure Awareness Month, see your doctor about your current blood pressure level. You can also try these five methods of lowering your blood pressure naturally:
Power Up with Power Walks – Exercise helps the heart use oxygen more efficiently, so it doesn’t work as hard to pump blood.
Just Breathe – Slow breathing and meditation decrease stress hormones, which can raise blood pressure. Integrate five minutes of relaxation twice per day into your routine for the best results.
Pick Potassium – Load up on potassium-rich foods, like sweet potatoes, tomatoes, orange juice and bananas to help lower your blood pressure. Reaching about 2,000 to 4,000 mg per day is recommended by doctors.
Smarten Up About Salt – Sodium, or salt, takes a major toll on blood pressure, but it doesn’t just come from that pesky salt shaker. A typical American diet includes a lot processed foods, packed with sodium. Be aware of your intake when making diet decisions.
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Work (a bit) less – Working more than 41 hours per week raises the risk of hypertension by 15%, according to research. It can be tough to leave the office early, but it’s important for your health to have time to exercise and cook a healthy meal.
For more information on how to lower blood pressure naturally, read the article on Prevention.com the tips above were taken from.
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