Pharmaceutical medications can carry with them a number of side effects that in certain cases can actually be worse than the condition they are treating. Also, it’s hard to tell the long term effects of staying on medications because in most cases they haven’t been on the market long enough to know the long term effects on our bodies. Since high blood pressure is often hereditary or a life-long condition, many people have to take their medication for prolonged periods of time.

Natural Remedies
Herbal medications show fewer side effects which make them safer to take long term. Many of these herbal remedies have been around for centuries and have been used by different cultures throughout time. There is also a cost benefit to using natural remedies as opposed to Pharmaceutical drugs. People with medical benefits may not be affected by the high cost of prescription drugs but those who aren’t covered know the sacrifices that need to be made in order to afford medications. You should still be weary of herbal or natural remedies as there aren’t any regulations or mandatory tests required before bringing the products to market. Look for products that have been on the market a long time with proven results. Some natural remedies have been tested so do some research or ask your doctor if there is something they recommend. Avoid anything that looks gimmicky or too good to be true.

Popular natural remedies for hypertension are garlic and cayenne. Garlic reduces lipids and the bad cholesterols from the blood. Over time garlic helps to dissolve plaque on the arteries. You can find garlic pills sold over the counter in drug stores or health food stores but the best intake would be from the natural source, so use more garlic when cooking for the most effective results. Cayenne will improve the body’s circulation and is also most effective in its natural state. Cayenne is a spicy red pepper and should be used moderately.

Prevention
As with any disease or condition, prevention is better than a cure so it’s important to take care of your body to reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure. Your weight is the biggest factor in controlling blood pressure and not just your weight itself but your body fat percentage. At your next check up ask your doctor to measure you body fat percentage. Find out what the healthy level of body fat is for you age and gender. If you find that your body fat percentage is high the best way to reduce this number is through diet and exercise. It’s important to note that people who look thin can still have a high percentage of body fat, so don’t think you’re in the clear just because you’re not overweight. When working out incorporate both cardio and strength training into your exercise regime. Cardiovascular workouts will improve your circulation and heart strength while weight lifting will increase your metabolism so you’re burning more fat throughout the day.

A healthy diet consists of high fibre fruit and vegetables, whole grains and high potassium, low sodium foods. Potassium helps to strengthen the heart while the other foods keep your weight and cholesterol down. Things to avoid are caffeine and nicotine as they worsen hypertension by tightening and narrowing the blood vessels. Also lower your salt intake and flavour you food with other healthy herbs and spices, in particular garlic and cayenne. Tea contains hibiscus that releases phytochemicals to help keep the body healthy and the blood flowing, so switch from coffee to tea if possible.

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure speak with your doctor about all your options but know that prescription drugs aren’t the only options.