Help with lowering blood pressure

Ffiffifab

I understand that blood pressure is something very hard to lower in short term but I was wondering if anyone knew of ways that could help lower my blood pressure. I am naturally borderline high (whether I was thin or the weight I am now), but have a very low salt intake (don't like salt in my food at all) and I walk every day to help maintain my weight and I swim once or twice a week to try and lose a little weight and tone up. I do get stressed easily which is, in my opinion, causing my blood pressure to rise and it has been suggested that camomile tea is supposed to help. Does anyone else know about ways to help calm myself and to lower my blood pressure in the process?

Annie_01

In the past year I have lowered mine from extremely high to ALMOST normal through diet and exercise. plus losing 80lbs

If you are already low sodium, normal weight, exercising...I would talk to my doctor. I really don't think that there are any magic potions out there. First you need to find out why it is high before you can fix it.

If you smoke that can elevate it. If you have a blood pressure monitor make sure that you are taking a reading at the correct times. Exercises, eating, drinking right before you monitor yourself can affect the outcome.

MinnieInMaine

Really something you're betting off talking to your doctor about.... Maybe even a nutritionist

Are you tracking your sodium intake? You'd be surprised how much sodium occurs naturally in foods, not to mention the added sodium in things like breads and of course canned/prepared foods. Just because you don't add salt doesn't mean your intake is low.

accelerashawn

I lowered mine by limiting salt intake, lowering caffeine intake, reducing alcohol, losing weight, and increasing exercise....although I think the biggest change in blood pressure came when I decided to stop worrying and I lowered my stress levels. I don't stress about much anymore and I don't worry about things I can't change. So my bp went from 156/97 to around 108/63 now.

RavenLibra

Yoga and meditation can help you develop your emotional stress management tools... Nothing like having a "happy place" to go to when the world bears down on you. BE more forgiving of yourself and realize that YOU cannot have and do it all... improve you circulation system...work up to 45 minutes of cardio at least 3-4 times/week... the Human body works best when it works regularly... frequent cardio gets all the systems working.. endocrine, exocrine, all your glands begin doing what they are supposed to do... once you are up to 45 minutes.. look into interval training to begin developing a more responsive and tuned body... NOTE that Cardio can be anything from ellipticals, to treadmills, stair climbers, x-fit machines, rowers, OR it can be a class environment... anything to gert your heart pounding and your lungs breathing and your body sweating...

and be ready for the bad news... I have been on BP meds for about 5 years... and recently began my road to a fitter me... so I spoke to my doctor... and he said..." all that exercise helps... but the reality is.. you may never be off the medication... so I take my pills... and I get on the elliptical.. and I challenge myself physically every chance I get... (5x5 with Cardio on my rest days)...

when I began I only made 10 minutes on an elliptical before I began making excuses.. the reality was... I thought I was going to drop dead from a heart attack on level 1 with a heart rate of 135... today.. I can push my heart rate to 160 and keep it there for a full 45 minutes at a level 7 on the same machine...resting heart rate is about 68-72 depending on the day of the week and what I am doing at work (High stress occupation). anyway... if your starting from "zero" like I was... be patient with yourself.. take your pill(s), learn to relax.. and embrace the journey towards a happier fitter you... and as a footnote I see the Doc in Sept. to see whether my meds can be lowered a notch...

best of luck... DO.. or do NOT... there is NO try...