High blood pressure is fairly common, mainly affecting older adults and usually more common in men (up until age 64). Although it usually doesn’t have symptoms, being aware of your blood pressure, especially if it’s high, could prevent life-threatening issues such as heart attacks and strokes. More than 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, sometimes unknowingly. It’s incredibly important to have it checked, as it is vital to prevent and treat blood pressure-related diseases.
What causes High Blood Pressure?
Factors such as obesity, overconsumption of salt and underconsumption of fruit and vegetables, little exercise, smoking, stress, excess alcohol & caffeine, and genetics can lead to high blood pressure. However, it can also be caused by health conditions or certain medicines; kidney diseases or long-term infections, diabetes, hormone problems etc, and contraceptive pills, steroids, antidepressants etc. (Source: NHS website)
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure symptoms are rare, but the following could be signs of it:
- Blurred vision
- Nosebleeds
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Headaches
(Source: British Heart Foundation)
Risks of High Blood Pressure
Continuous high blood pressure may escalate the risks of serious health conditions. For example, heart attacks, diseases or failure, strokes, kidney diseases and damage, vision loss, and vascular dementia. Even lessening your blood pressure a small amount can help reduce these risks.
How to Reduce High Blood Pressure
A healthy lifestyle is key to preventing high blood pressure and many more health conditions. To do this you can: reduce your salt intake and maintain a whole-food diet, cut back on alcohol and caffeine; lose weight (if you are obese), exercise regularly, and cease smoking.
Moreover, make sure you get a good night’s sleep (around 8 hours), and try to reduce stress, by making time to relax, avoiding stress triggers, and abstaining from overworking yourself.
Foods to Avoid
- Salty food – you should have no more than 6g a day, which is a teaspoon. Check food labels for low-salt options and cut back on high salt foods, such as processed food and pickles.
- Sugary & fatty foods – which can lead to weight gain, which can increase blood pressure. Instead have healthy snacks (like fruit or yogurt) and aim to avoid those highly processed foods.
- Alcohol – have no more than 14 units per week and have alcohol-free days.
- Caffeine – which can raise blood pressure. It’s not only in coffee and tea, but also in energy drinks and even chocolate!
High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
High blood pressure in pregnancy can sometimes be serious. If you develop it during pregnancy, you will be assessed in hospital, and given various treatments. However, if you already have a history of it, you will be referred to a specialist to confer about the risks and benefits of treatment.
There are three main types of blood pressure during pregnancy:
- Chronic hypertension (Chronic high blood pressure). This can lead to serious problems – such as preeclampsia. This type of high blood pressure continues after you give birth.
- Gestational hypertension (High blood pressure that comes after your 20th week of pregnancy) Usually, it doesn’t hurt you or your baby. However, sometimes it can be severe, causing your baby to be born smaller than normal, or earlier. It can also lead to pre-eclampsia. Also, it mostly leaves within three months of giving birth, but it can increase the risk of getting high blood pressure in the future.
- Pre-eclampsia (A sudden rise in blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy). It may cause damage to your brain, lobe or kidneys. You may also have seizures or swelling in your body.
In some cases, high blood pressure can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood leading to a lack of oxygen and food for your child, which can cause low birth weight and an early birth. It can also lead to placental abruption.
You might be at a higher risk if you are: having your first baby, have a close relative who also has high blood pressure when pregnant, are carrying multiple babies, are older than 40, overweight or already had a high blood pressure beforehand.
High blood pressure during pregnancy cannot be prevented, but you can lessen your chances of it by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and exercising.
Anxiety, Stress and High Blood Pressure
There’s no proof that anxiety causes long-term high blood pressure, but anxiety can still trigger temporary rises in blood pressure. Temporary rises in blood pressure that happen often (such as daily) can damage the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. Anxiety may lead to high blood pressure, but high blood pressure can also trigger feelings of anxiety.
People with intense anxiety have a higher risk of high blood pressure (than those with low levels of anxiety). However, It’s normal for your blood pressure to increase for a short period if you’re feeling stressed. But once the stress has passed, it should return to normal.
To reduce anxiety and stress, try meditation, focusing on the present, exercising or talking to someone you trust. However, if the stress/anxiety becomes severe, seek professional help.
Links between High Blood Pressure and Menopause
Generally, blood pressure increases a bit after menopause. Some healthcare providers think that changing hormones, related to menopause, may cause blood pressure to rise. Others believe an increase in body mass index (BMI) during menopause may be the cause. Changes in hormones during menopause can also lead to weight gain. However, unless it’s a drastic change, a slight increase in blood pressure after menopause isn’t something to worry about, as it rises with age as well.
How can Exercise help with high blood pressure?
Regular exercise makes the heart stronger, so it can pump blood with less effort.
Consequently, the pressure on the arteries decreases, which lowers blood pressure
How to Lower Blood Pressure
Adding more potassium to your diet can help you reduce high blood pressure. Potassium rich foods include bananas, avocado, beetroot, pomegranate, yam, guava and leafy greens.
Natural Treatment for High Blood Pressure
Homeopathic medicines can be beneficial in the treatment of High Blood Pressure and can help to address some of the risks, such as hypertension.
Aconite
This is a useful Homeopathic medicine used for high blood pressure problems that occur suddenly and are accompanied by anxiety.
Belladonna
If the pulse is accelerated and the face is flushed with high blood pressure, then Belladonna can be the indicated Homeopathic medicine.
Ignatia
When high blood pressure is brought on by emotional upset then the Homeopathic medicine Ignatia may be a useful treatment.
Nat Mur
Nat Mur may be indicated as Homeopathic medicine for blood pressure that is due to suppressed anger and stress.
Lachesis
When blood pressure goes up during peri/menopause then Lachesis can be a useful Homeopathic remedy.
Homeopathic remedies can be a great way to control high blood pressure. I specialise in anxiety care, my solution is the Calm Anxiety Health Treatment Plan, it is suitable for people of all ages who are seeking an alternative medicine for their high blood pressure and anxiety problems. The Calm Anxiety Treatment Plan includes 1-2-1 online consultations with me, Kiran, a qualified homeopath with 17 years of professional clinical experience, a bespoke plan for homeopathic remedies, a mindfulness plan and regular check-in phone calls and email support.
Start by booking a low-cost per-qualifying consultation to talk about an alternative medicine for high blood pressure, homeopathic treatment with me and how homeopathy can address your symptoms and help reduce them naturally so that you feel healthier, balanced and well.
Once you begin a course on the Calm Anxiety Treatment Plan you should start to notice improvements in your condition within a few weeks. Homeopathic treatment for anxiety usually lasts around 3 – 6 months. This will vary according to your symptoms, how long you have had them and the severity.
Get in touch to book your consultation with me and let’s work together using homeopathy treatment to naturally deal with your high blood pressure and anxiety health problems.
