High blood pressure or also known as hypertension is a common condition in adults wherein the long-term force of the blood against the artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause some damage.

As a matter of fact, this condition generally develops after many years even without any symptoms.

Your blood pressure is actually determined by the amount of blood that your heart pumps and the amount of resistance of blood flow in your arteries.

Thus, the more blood the heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.

An uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk for serious health problems such as a stroke or heart attack.

That is why early detection is very important, since this condition usually develops over the course of several years and doesn’t show much symptoms.

However, even without symptoms, high blood pressure can cause damage to your blood vessels and organs, especially the brain, heart, eyes, and kidneys.

The usual treatment for hyper blood pressure includes medication and several lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure is a silent condition yet can be lethal. It takes years or even decades for high blood pressure to reach levels severe enough to make symptoms obvious.

Symptoms of severe hypertension can include:

• Headaches

• Shortness of breath

• Nosebleeds

• Flushing

• Dizziness

• Chest pain

• Visual changes

• Blood in the urine

If you happen to experience one of these symptoms or more, you might need to request for medical attention.

Some of these symptoms usually don’t happen to everyone with high blood pressure, but waiting for symptoms to appear may lead to death.

The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is by conducting regular blood pressure readings.

Here are several readings to fully understand the diagnosis readings for high blood pressure,

Two numbers create a blood pressure reading:

Systolic pressure - This is the first number which indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and pumps out blood.

Diastolic pressure - This is the second number which indicates the reading of the pressure in your arteries between beats of your heart.

Five categories define blood pressure readings for adults:

Healthy - A reading which is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Elevated - Doctors usually don’t treat elevated blood pressure with medication. Instead, your doctor may recommend doing lifestyle changes.

Stage 1 hypertension - The systolic number is between 130 and 139 mm Hg

Stage 2 hypertension - The systolic number is 140 mm Hg or higher

Hypertensive crisis - The systolic number is over 180 mm HgIf any symptoms such as chest pain, headache, shortness of breath, or visual changes occur when blood pressure is this high, a run to the E.R. is recommended.

There are many factors that can cause high blood pressure in a person.

Here are common factors that can lead to high blood pressure:

• Eating too much foods that are fatty, oily or greasy, and hugh in cholesterol.
  

• A diet high in sodium or salty foods
  

• Family history, especially if your parents of closest relative have high blood pressure
  

• Being obese or overweight
  

• Not enough physical activities
  

• Stress
  

• Being older
  

• Certain birth control pills and other medication
  

• Some chronic conditions such as kidney and hormonal problems, high cholesterol, and diabetes
  

• Smoking tobacco or cigarettes
  

• Excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages
  

• Sleep apnea
  

• Adrenal and thyroid disorders

This condition also comes with several natural remedies along with lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure.

Here are some natural remedies for high blood pressure:

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Increase Your Intake Of Potassium-Rich Foods

Potassium is an essential mineral to add in your diet.

This is due to the fact that potassium can help your body eliminate sodium as well as, alleviate pressure on your blood vessels.

To get a better balance of potassium to sodium in your diet, just focus on reducing the intake of processed foods and more on fresh, whole foods.

Foods that are particularly high in potassium include:

• Vegetables, especially leafy greens, tomatoes, potatoes, and sweet potatoes

• Fruit, including melons, bananas, avocados, oranges, and apricots

• Dairy, such as milk and yogurt

• Nuts and seeds

• Beans

Cardamom

This is a popular spice from India and is often used in South Asian cuisines.

Based on a study which required 20 adults with high blood pressure to take three grams of cardamom powder daily for 12 weeks.

After the 12-week period, their blood pressure has been reported to have significantly decreased to the normal range.

This is due to the high levels of antioxidants found un cardamom. You can use cardamom seeds by including it in spice rubs, stews, soups, or even pastries to give it a distinct flavor with a health benefit.

Eat Berries

Ever thought of berries as a remedy?

Well yes, it is! This isn’t only packed with its juicy flavor but is also packed with polyphenols — a natural plant compound that’s good for your heart.

Polyphenols are said to reduce the risk of a stroke, diabetes, heart conditions, as well as improving blood pressure, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation.

Those who are regularly consuming berries and polyphenol-rich foods are said to have experienced improved markers of heart disease risk.

Eat Calcium-Rich Foods

It is said that people with low calcium intake often get high blood pressure.

Although calcium hasn’t been proven to reduce high blood pressure, a calcium-rich diet is known to be linked to health benefits.

Other than dairy, you can get calcium from some leafy greens, collard greens, beans, and tofu.

Eat Foods Rich In Magnesium

This is also an essential mineral to add in your diet because it helps relax the blood vessels.

Some studies have shown that getting too little and not enough magnesium are linked with high blood pressure.

You can try adding magnesium in your diet through consuming dairy products, legumes, and whole grains.

Although there are several remedies for high blood pressure, prevention is still the best treatment from avoiding this condition.

As previously said, this condition is a silent killer that’s why people, especially older adults, need regular blood pressure readings.

Thus, being aware of this condition and knowing the prevention measures and treatments will increase your chance to avoid having high blood pressure.