Across the world, high blood pressure affects more than one-third of the adult population. In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death, and, as of 2015, nearly 46% of adults live with hypertension. 

 

For context, a normal blood pressure measurement is 120/80, while high blood pressure is considered to be 130/90 and above. Typically, high blood pressure develops over time due to compounding unhealthy lifestyle choices; usually with a focus on lack of regular exercise. The ramifications of high blood pressure are wide-reaching across the body, and it can lead to heart, brain, kidney, and eye problems. However, don’t worry! There are plenty of different, natural ways to reduce blood pressure.

  1. Exercise regularly. Get outside and get moving. Even just a 20-minute walk will have a positive impact on, not just, your blood pressure, but on all aspects of your health.
  2. Lower your sodium intake. Excessive sodium intake will lead to stiffened and narrowed blood vessels. 
  3. Drink less alcohol. There’s a direct correlation between alcohol and 16% of all hypertension cases worldwide. 
  4. Eating foods with higher potassium will lower your body’s sodium levels and alleviate pressure on your blood vessels. Some potassium-rich foods to eat are leafy green vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.
  5. Manage your stress levels. Finding hobbies or other ways to alleviate stress is a gigantic step in the right direction. Some common ways to relieve stress are being active, engaging with hobbies, meditating, socializing, and getting enough sleep.
  6. Lose weight. A study has shown that losing 5% of your body mass can significantly lower high blood pressure.
  7. Eat berries. Most berries are filled with polyphenols which reduce the risk of stroke, heart conditions, and diabetes, as well as lowering blood pressure, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation.
  8. Make sure you’re eating a calcium-rich diet. While a direct connection hasn’t been established, people that eat a calcium-rich diet tend to have healthy blood pressure levels. Some foods to eat are leafy greens, tofu, and dairy. 

Our revolutionary scanning technology provides a holistic snapshot of your body’s complete fitness. The results of this scan will produce a blueprint of your current health to help you understand your risks of developing preventable chronic diseases, including hypertension and related diseases. This can be used to create a wellness plan based on your unique physiology, guiding you through the habit changes you can do to feel healthier and have a better quality of life. Another service we have available here at BodyK is our Wellness Coaching, which will provide you with different ways to improve your health after a brief consult. On their own, these two services can provide many benefits for your health and overall well-being, but, when combined, the possibilities are endless.