Healthy Heart Review

Ancient medical traditions such as Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine have always used natural remedies to cure many ailments. Each has a long and venerable history, which through trial and error, has discovered many herbs and plants that can treat conditions ranging from life threatening to mildly inconvenient. In fact, there are herbs that have been discovered from these ancient traditions that can lower high blood pressure if used correctly. They are thought to work best at the pre-hypertension stage with blood pressure readings between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg. This article will cover four useful plants and the active ingredients that will help to lower high blood pressure.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn has a number of species that have been used in many ancient medical traditions to improve digestion. The species Crataegus laevigata is thought to be useful in lowering high blood pressure. There have been a number of clinical trials conducted to confirm or deny this contention. At this stage the tests seem to have had mixed results. Some tests show a marked difference in blood pressure for people taking a hawthorn extract over the placebo cases. Other tests show no significant change in blood pressure. For those that believe in Hawthorn, it is thought to open up blood vessels for better blood flow as well as hinder the production of a special enzyme angiotensin which causes high blood pressure. Furthermore, Hawthorn is believed to have antioxidant properties that can help reduce LDL cholesterol build up or plaque on the artery walls, which is a major cause of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba has almost gone mainstream as a herbal cure all for many ailments. You will find it in supplement form or more recently in energy drinks or fruit juices. Although many claims as to it’s effectiveness remain contentious it is thought to promote the flow of blood through the body through the dilation of blood vessels. It is also thought to stimulate the circulatory system and function on the blood clotting abilities of the body.

Dandelion

Dandelion (taraxacum officinale) has diuretic affects on the body. It can help to rid the body of excess fluids and impurities that may be raising your blood pressure. Dandelion has been used for hundreds of years for many problems, including high blood pressure. It also has a high quantity of vitamins and minerals such as many B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin C which are all essential for a healthy heart.

Guelder Rose or Cramp Bark

The bark was originally used for relief against cramps but it is also noted to relax the cardiovascular system and relieve high blood pressure. It is popularized by American Indian traditions where it was added to drinks or food. Very little clinical research has been done on Guelder Rose and there are no reported side effects to taking the bark.

If you plan to try these herbs and plants as a supplement you should talk to your doctor first. The supplements may conflict with a medicine you are currently taking. Your doctor will also be aware of the situation and be in a better position to assess the changes in your high blood pressure or other areas of your health.

Excessive Cholesterol is also a major factor in high blood pressure as it can cause plaque build up in the arteries. Find out how to increase good cholesterol and foods to eat to lower bad cholesterol thus promoting a healthier heart at www.lowcholesteroldieting.com Adrian Whittle writes on issues related to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol.

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Blood pressure is the force of circulating blood against the wall of arteries. Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure).

There are two types of blood pressure-high and low. The systolic pressure is defined as the peak pressure in the arteries, which occurs near the beginning of the cardiac cycle. The diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, especially when it’s present with other risk factors.

High blood pressure can occur in children or adults. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are more likely to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke. Very high pressure can cause a break in a weakened blood vessel, which then bleeds in the brain. By adopting a healthy lifestyle and steps which include maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, following a healthy eating plan, that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods, preparing foods with less salt and sodium and cutting smoking and alcohol. When blood pressure and blood flow decrease beyond a certain point, the perfusion of the brain becomes critically decreased. This leads to lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness and fainting which causes low blood pressure.

In today’s busy life, stress is becoming a part of life which is a common cause of blood pressure. Avoid stress at any cost. Cut down high sodium intake in your food. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Always consult a physician before buy a blood pressure machine to monitor blood pressure. Take directions of using it in a right way. The safest way is to use digital monitoring equipment as it is user-friendly and gives accurate measurement.

The side-effects of high blood pressure are dizziness, depression, impotence, liver damage and fatigue. High blood pressure also causes swelling of the brain. This can be a life threatening condition. Low calcium intakes have high rates of high blood pressure. Dairy food like low-fat selections of milk, yogurt and cheese are good sources of calcium. Potassium rich food will help protect some people from developing high blood pressure. Many fruits, vegetables, dairy foods and fish are good sources of potassium.

Make it a point to visit your physician regularly and get your blood pressure checked. This will help in running down from the risk of high/low blood pressure.

Andrew Adler is a well know author who writes on health related sites, like Q-link, Hair Loss Products & Resperate System

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Heart attack. The words alone can send a chill down even the strongest man’s spine, and with good reason. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for Americans. Men have a greater risk of heart attack at a younger age than women. But the risk increases for women as they near menopause and, eventually, surpasses that of men. If the nicest thing we can say about someone is that he has a good heart, the most important thing we can say is that he has a healthy heart. You probably can decrease your risk of heart attack by changing your lifestyle in the following areas:

1. Keep tabs on your cholesterol levels

To control your cholesterol, avoid saturated fat, eat fewer calories, and try to eat foods rich in fiber, such as vegetables and fruits. If your cholesterol is very high, drugs to lower it may be an option for you.

2. Ask your doctor about aspirin

Daily intake of aspirin may reduce your risk of heart attack by thinning your blood and preventing clots from forming. However, you should talk with your doctor before doing so because aspirin is not safe for everyone.

3. Drink moderately

Studies show that one drink a day (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor) may have a protective effect on your heart. However, the effects are more beneficial if you are middle-aged or older and have suffered a heart attack or stroke or already have cardiovascular disease.

4. Exercise

Regular exercise is good for you because it helps reduce stress, cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and excess weight, and it can make your heart stronger, leading to a lower pulse rate. But overdoing exercise isn’t a good thing, especially weight-lifting exercises that can trigger heart attacks. Talk with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

5. Relax

Because stress is such a factor in heart disease, eliminating or decreasing it can do wonders for your cardiovascular health.

6. Control your blood pressure

Your heart has to work harder to push blood through your body when your blood pressure is high. This causes your heart to enlarge and can speed up atherosclerosis. Fortunately, by reducing your diastolic blood pressure by only 2mm Hg (millimeters per mercury), you can decrease your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. The average healthy blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg.

7. Stop smoking

Smoking is harmful to your cardiovascular health. Smoking also clogs your arteries and in the process, raises the blood pressure in those clogged arteries. This condition helps to double the heart attack risk for smokers compared with non-smokers. Therefore, as soon as you stop, your body immediately starts to bounce back and improve your cardiovascular health.

Raymond Lee Geok Seng is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is a writer specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He has spent countless of time and efforts conducting research and share his insightful and powerful secrets to benefit men and women all over the world. He is currently the author of the latest edition of “Neck Exercises and Workouts.”

Visit www.bodyfixes.com for more information.

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