Fast Facts about Hypertension
- According to the CDC there are around 75 million adults in America suffering from hypertension/high blood pressure.
- Out of these, there are only 54% people who have the hypertension conditions under control.
- Americans spend nearly $46 billion every year on healthcare and medication for hypertension.
- Women over the age of 65 are more prone to hypertension than men in the same age range.
- About one fifth of the people suffering from hypertension do not know they have this condition.
- Hypertension is the underlying cause for over 360,000 deaths in America, which adds up to around 1,000 deaths every day!
Hypertension or high blood pressure as we more commonly know it as, is a widespread medical condition characterized by a long-term high force flow of blood within the arteries that may lead to serious health conditions like stroke and other heart diseases.
The medical world determines blood pressure using two different measures that include the amount of blood pumped by your heart to the rest of the body and blood flow resistance in your arteries. The narrower the arteries and the more amount of blood pumped by the heart, the higher the blood pressure will be.
Hypertension is a condition that gradually develops over a span of several years. It may not be easy to detect hypertension in the early years of its development as the symptoms are not that evident in the beginning. Hypertension is something that affects almost everyone with increasing age. If left uncontrolled, it increases your risk of several heart and circulatory health issues including heart attacks.
Symptoms
The symptoms for hypertension do not become apparent till the condition develops into a substantial health issue. The most commonly experienced symptoms of hypertension include, but may not be limited to:
- Confusion and/or fatigue
- Severe headache
- Chest pain
- Problems in vision
- Presence of blood in urine
- Irregular beating of the heart
- Problems in breathing properly
- A pounding sensation in your ears, neck, or chest
Remember, you may be suffering from hypertension without actually knowing about it. Even when the symptoms are not apparent, the condition continues to cause damage to your heart and arteries. Fortunately, it is easy to detect hypertension and control it through medication. In case you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms continuously, seek medical help at your earliest
Recommended Supplements
While eating a healthy diet and regular exercise helps to manage Hypertension, it is not enough to keep you fit and healthy. Supplements are essential for managing Hypertension and reducing its symptoms. But it should be kept in mind that supplements should not be used to replace the treatment for Hypertension. It is not always true that natural products are safe for use. Many products can react with your body and produce an adverse reaction. Thus, it is better to be safe and consult your before starting to use any supplements for managing your condition.
The following supplements have proven to benefit people with Hypertension:
Sarsaparilla
This wonder herb has been long used by Native Americans to cure an array of medical problems ranging from acne to heart diseases. Sarsaparilla contains saponins. These are medical compounds that when consumed internally, have a diuretic effect on your system. This eventually ensures healthy regulation of blood pressure (controlling hypertension) and a reduced risk of congestive heart failure.
Bilberry
Sometimes, hypertension is caused due to metabolic disorders. Studies reveal that consuming bilberries or bilberry extracts provide the body with anthocyanins and polyphenols that reduce the impact of metabolic disorders and other diet-induced high blood pressure in the body. This helps keep the blood pressure within the healthy limits.
Garlic
Garlic is yet another potent natural remedy for curing hypertension. It supplies the human body with allicin – a compound that brings down high pressure levels in the body. Studies reveal that consuming 10mg of allicin every day can help reduce blood pressure by 5.0mm Hg in diastolic and 11mm in systolic in a matter of just 1 to 3 months.
Green Coffee Bean
Green coffee beans are rich in chlorogenic acid. Studies reveal that consuming chlorogenic acids regularly can help overcome a hypertension condition in a short span of time. The chlorogenic acids are a safe and effective natural remedy for controlling and lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.
Hawthorn
For years, hawthorn has been used in herbal medicine to cure a variety of heart related health conditions. The herb is especially effective in maintaining and regulating optimal health and functions of the heart and the blood vessels, which eventually lead to improved blood pressure. Hawthorn is good for improving both high and low blood pressure levels.
The above natural supplements are known to help in controlling and managing Hypertension, but you should exercise proper caution and ask your doctor before adding any such supplements for in your diet. Herbs have lasting and strong effects on the body and can also interact with other drugs and medications, causing dangerous and adverse reactions. If you use any medication for your disease, talk to your doctor before you decide to start any supplements or herbal products to manage your health condition.