How to Reduce High Blood Pressure Without Medication

Updated on February 11, 2009
G.R. asks from Hoffman Estates, IL
22 answers

My husband has a High Blood Pressure(Family History). We now changed our life style for the past 2 weeks. Eating healthy foods and regular exercise. High Blood Pressure is in his family history, his mom and Uncle had heart attack. He is 30 years old and is healthy other than HBP. Can you tell me how risk it is and how to reduce it without medication? Please share your ideas it will be a big help for me. Thanks.

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V.G.

answers from Chicago on

HI

There is an Indian Swami - Baba Radev- He does wonders with the people without major medication. I am not talking from the adverstosement or RV. My father had 90-99% blockage in 4 veins and was told cannot walk a block. He did not wanted to be operated with three of his kids not even done with school. Thsi was 16 years ago

He decided to go alternative route and besides the others the most effective have been ramdev. His BP is in control and the arteries have openend up. Over the years he is feeling better and enjoying life and teh grand kids as well:-))

V.

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J.F.

answers from Chicago on

Folate - this is a vitamin supplement that you can get at Walgreens although you usually have to ask for it at the pharmacy They give it out to heart patients. It is flic acid and certain B vitamns. I use it and it keeps my hgh BP under cotrol. If ever it stops working I am going to try a thing called RESPERATE you cn look it up o-line it works like biofeedback to have you breath properly it looks great and is even approved by several agencies the only drawback is that it costs about $200 (still less than medicine co-pays for BP medication) The cost and the fact that mine is relatively under control right now is the reason I have not bought it. Hope this helps.

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Congratulations on committing to a healthy lifestyle. That is the first step. And I am so glad to hear that both of you are doing this TOGETHER b/c you can motivate each other and hold one another accountable which will make you more successful in the long run.

I am a cardiovascular nurse practitioner, and i can tell you firsthand how difficult it is to get patients to make lifestyle changes. It is so great that you are doing this now before problems start.

HBP is a HUGE risk factor for cardiovascular disease. People that have HBP are more likely to have heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney disease.

Some of the things you can do to lower your blood pressure are to:

1. Lose weight (if you are overweight and lose about 20 pounds, you can lower your BP by 5-20 mmHg)

2. Reduce salt/sodium in your diet (this can lower your BP by 2-8 mmHg)

3. Eat a lot of fruits/veg, low-fat dairy and make sure you consume little saturated and total fat (this can lower your BP by 8-14 mmHg)

4. Exercise at least 30 minutes at least 4x/week (this can lower your BP by 4-9 mmHg)

5. Drink no more than 1 alcholic drink (for women) and no more than 2 alcoholic drinks (for men) per day (this can lower your BP by 2-4 mmHg)

Good luck!
J.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Judy posted some great advice! I echo all of her sentiments and would like to include: decrease caffeine (or cut it out entirely) and add more foods rich in potassium to the diet.

I just went through this last year. My blood pressure was high and my doctor and I decided to pursue more 'preventative' measures through lifestyle changes as opposed to more 'management' measures through medication. I am happy to say that with a focused nutrition and cardio + strength training plan, I managed to lower my BP from 145/105 to about 115/70.

Do a google search for 'DASH Diet'. This is not a fad diet (I hate fad diets; they're stupid and don't help the vast majority of people who try them because they are not reasonable, permanent lifetime solutions). DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. There is a wealth of information that will be helpful. However, it is important to note that there are some people who are genetically predisposed to HBP and still need to take medicine to manage it. Of course, try the exercise and nutritional lifestyle changes but if it comes down to the point where he has to take the medicine then take the medicine.

High blood pressure is something you do not want to screw around with. HBP basically means that your heart is working harder than average to push the same amount of blood through the vessels. The heart has a limited lifespan and this is extra stress on the heart.

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

There is a wonderful website that might have the answers you are looking for...it's Shirleyswellnesscafe.com (could be .org...not sure but try to find it...

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Sounds like you are on the right track. I too would like to know.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

Hi G., Judy and M.R. gave you good advice...let me just chime in with the bit about exercise. I too reduced my HBP with more regular exercise. But my BP was not extremely high (something like 140/100). I have not had a problem for several years.

Having said that, if your husband's BP is elevated much beyond that and a few months of lifestyle changes don't bring it down....start the medication. The longer his heart is working overtime and overloaded, the more damage it incurs. Taking BP medication is relatively simple. While no one wants to have to take medicine every day it is far better than the alternative.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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B.K.

answers from Chicago on

HI G.,

I have a wonderful program of natural, non-toxic, non-drug supplements that work terrific!

Check out my link:
http://www.livetotalwellness.com/bevk
and contact me.

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B.D.

answers from Chicago on

Dear G.,

I had really hbp to and it runs in my family. All of my brothers had to be put on medicine before the age of 30. I will be 30 in a couple of months. My doctor has been worried me and on the verge of putting me on medication. I went out and bought a treadmill and I try to go on at least 10 min a day and try for 30 min 3 times a week. I have also tried to limit my sodium and especially frozen foods. Canned products are worse. For the last 2 check ups my doctor has commented on how good I have gotten it. Good luck and don't forget to watch the stress level.
B.

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J.K.

answers from Chicago on

Hi G.,

You've gotten some great advice already. You may also try to research garlic - it lowers the blood pressure. Also, you might want to check out info and articles on Dr. Mercola's website at www.mercola.com.

Here is the direct link to Dr. Mercola's Five Smart Strategies to Lower your Blood Pressure Naturally.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/0...

J. K.

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

You're definitely making some great life style changes. Diet and exercise are key. If you are interested in natural dietary supplements to add to your husband's regimen (such as garlic and omega 3's), let me know. I have lots of info to share.

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C.C.

answers from Chicago on

Sign up for yoga through your local park district, fitness center or yoga studio. If you live in Naperville, you'd be welcome at www.universalspirityoga.com
Yoga has been used by many people to reduce blood pressure.

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

eating high fiber foods has been proven to reduce blood pressure reading.

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D.V.

answers from Chicago on

Garlic is a BP normalizer IF it's high, it lowers, if its
low it raises it.
Co Q 10 will improve the heart function
Magnesium is the part of the Calcuim Magnesium that helps
the HBP ( calcium is also important it regulates
the heart beat
Omega 3 & 6. ( oiive oil, flax seed,fish oil etc)

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C.W.

answers from Chicago on

I suggest going to see Dr. Kevin Hutter at Planet Chiropractic. Their practice has helped many remove medications from their lifestyle through diet, lifestyle and chiropractic care.

We are currently able to lower my daughter's seizure meds. The typical medical community doesn't understand why my daughter is now so healthy. (She was supposed to be brain damaged, but is in full recovery.) Planet Chiropractic was a huge part of our recovery.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

G....Someone else said it as well...But "real" garlic helps control Hbp. As well as cooking with good olive oil instead of oil. Taking vitams that contain "fish oil". As well as a daily exersise routine. Even if it is just walking if you dont have a treadmill. Money is tight for everyone right now and some cant run out and buy things or join a gym unless they are already members. Just try to cook healthier if you arent already. Also dont cook with salt and if your husband like to use salt there is a product called "no-salt" it come in a dark blue container and it taste just like salt. My dad started to use that because he is a salt freak and has hbp. Good luck to you and your husband.

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P.G.

answers from Chicago on

Hi, G.,
Congrats on being proactive about your husband's health and hbp.
Please don't go off any meds without a doctor's supervision. That said, my experience with hbp is via my students. I teach yoga and meditation. Over the years, many students have found that with a regular and consistent practice of yoga and meditation (and you do NOT have to twist yourself into a pretzel in order to do yoga), they have been able to reduce or go off of their medications with the support of their doctor. Does your husband have a regular exercise program? Would he be willing to add or switch out one of them for a yoga practice? 15 minutes a day every day of yoga and developing a meditation program by starting with 5 minutes each morning and building up to whatever he wanted would be so very helpful. If you would like to speak further with me, please feel free to contact me.

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Don't know if it would work for others, but I've had good success with yoga as a way to avoid taking medication for high blood pressure.

K.

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E.M.

answers from Chicago on

I am not sure about how to reduce it without medication, but I know a good natural supplement that helps. If you need that information, please let me know.

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C.O.

answers from Chicago on

Exercise, walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes at least 4 days, and if over weight losing weight will help. Some people BP will become lower if they avoid alot of sodium. Also, there has been studies that show eating 1/2 cup of blueberries a day helps lower blood pressure.

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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

My husband has the same issue. The biggest thing to watch when cooking is the sodium. Cook everything fresh. Nothing prepackaged. If that doesn't help enough, then medication is the way to go. With a family history like that, you do not want to take any chances.

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E.B.

answers from Chicago on

You didn't mention if he smoked or not, but if so, it's an independent risk factor for adverse cardiac events. Definitely a big contributor. Also, look up the DASH diet. It will give you good guidelines. Since he is only 30, lifestyle modifications are always the first way to go. If that doesn't help, I would recommend using what the doctor recommends (usually hydrochlorothiazide). It's very important to control blood pressure. And keep in mind that herbal supplements are medications too and they do not undergo the same rigorous quality control that prescription drugs do. Best wishes!

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