High blood pressure is often caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Risk factors are primarily obesity, increased alcohol consumption, increased salt intake, too little exercise, stress , smoking, lipid metabolism disorders and increased blood sugar levels (diabetes) . If high blood pressure is diagnosed, it is treated with drugs such as beta blockers, diuretics or ACE inhibitors. They protect against complications such as stroke and heart attack. However, these drugs can also have side effects such as cardiac arrhythmias or sleep problems. Many sufferers therefore try to lower their blood pressure naturally.
Table of Contents
5 ways to lower high blood pressure naturally
1. Play sports
2. Lose weight
Elevated insulin levels also damage the kidneys because they excrete less salt. This salt content in the blood increases blood volume and blood pressure.
3. Less salt, more herbs
If there is too much salt in the bloodstream, the volume of the blood increases and so does the pressure with which it flows through the veins. Although everyone reacts differently to salt, eliminating it can have a positive effect on blood pressure. Basically, according to the German Nutrition Society, you shouldn’t eat more than six grams of salt a day. To save on salt when eating, season your food with herbs and spices. Try yourself!
4. Relieve stress
Even if studies have not yet been able to prove directly that relaxation exercises can lower blood pressure, you should pay attention to your stress management – after all, stress is one of the risk factors for high blood pressure.
If the psyche and thus also the cardiovascular system are permanently stressed, those affected tend more often to an unhealthy lifestyle with little exercise, obesity and smoking or alcohol consumption. These factors cause blood pressure to rise. Reducing stress therefore helps to lower blood pressure.
5. Eat dark chocolate
