Treating High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol Naturally

A trip to your doctor and a simple blood test will let you know if either of these or both of these conditions are getting out of hand. They should be checked regularly because your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are directly linked to your heart and these are 2 simple ways of keeping a check on how your heart is working.

First of all, if you are over 40, check your blood pressure often. Try to take it about the same time of day, because the numbers will vary depending on if you have just exercised, or eaten or rested. Any Fire Department will give you a reading during regular hours for free. A normal BP would be 120/80, with the upper number being the systolic number and the lower number being the heart at rest, or diastolic. Anything under 135/90 is acceptable, if it goes over 150/100 take this as a warning and check everyday for a week. If it doesn't go back down to normal then it is time to get serious and take action to bring it down.

Cholesterol levels are taken with a blood test. Under 200 is what to aim for.

Your blood pressure is affected mainly by three things - what you eat, the amount of exercise that you get, and your stress level. Stress is a huge factor, and that is why your pressure can go sky high if you find yourself in a stressful situation. If you handle the stressor without "stuffing" it, your blood pressure should go right back down.

But if you are in daily stress at work and then you drive home in rush hour traffic, more stress, then the tension continues to build up and that's when problems arise. I suggest you find a new route home where you can relax and give yourself a chance to unwind by listening to music. Or join a gym and spend an hour working out before you go home. Stress is toxic when trapped inside, and stopping by Happy Hour every evening and stuffing all your anxieties into a glass is NOT a good solution. It will only make things worse!

So the first step in lowering your BP and cholesterol is to identify the stress in your life and find ways of eliminating it. Unresolved stress sends constant signals to the brain to release too much hormones which reacts similar to a drug, and the stress will affect every area of your life.

Another important feature that will improve both your blood pressure and cholesterol level is some regular form of daily exercise. Now I know you hate to hear that word, but the human body was not designed to sit in a chair for 8 hours a day and then to move to the couch at home for another 8. We were made to be active and flexible, and to keep healthy blood circulation. If the veins and arteries are allowed to harden, the blood flow in and out of your heart will increase and because you aren't getting the same power in the blood flow, it will not "wash" out the cholesterol which then will build up and circulation will get worse; a double whammy! Can see how important it is too check these numbers and keep your system functioning the way it was meant to. Exercise helps eliminate stress also. Try some movement in your body:

Walking: Walk around the block/or to work/or practice parking your car at the far end of the parking lot. If you want to walk ½ hour everyday after work; perfect way to unwind!

Swimming: Uses every muscle in the body even if you simply side stroke for a half hour 3x a week. It is low impact, so it's easy on the joints.

Workout: Join a gym and just make a commitment. If the gym offers Pilates or Yoga classes, try those - they keep your body flexible in addition to the aerobics which will get your heart rate up.

But the most important area way to improve these areas is with your diet - everything that you put into your body on a daily basis. A change in nutritional habits without a doubt has got to occur if your Blood Pressure or cholesterol levels are getting too high. Cholesterol is merely the build up of too much fat and processed food in your system which the body is not able to get rid of. Blood gets thick, arteries get hardened because we eat the wrong food and expect the blood to use it. So below are some ways to begin adjusting your diet so that your numbers go down and regulate again; and they WILL go down if you are faithful in working at it. Within a few months you should be back in the normal range if you start TODAY to change some habits. When you get back into the normal range again, you can add a few of your favorite "bad" foods back.

First of all, take out anything with white sugar, white flour, and white potatoes. All they do is create sugar when they are digested. Use whole wheat or whole grain products and sweet potatoes instead.

Next, make sure you drink plenty of water - a 2-liter bottle a day. You want your body and blood to be well hydrated.

Third, up your fiber intake. This will help both your cholesterol and your blood pressure. Fiber "scrubs" out the arteries as well as your digestion system. You can take it as a supplement, (try psyillium husks by tablet) or simply add more fiber foods to your diet. Fiber can be Fun! Try putting nuts and seeds on salads; eat as much whole grain as possible - granola, shredded wheat, and oatmeal is excellent, and of course eat much fresh fruits and veggies.

All are great sources of fiber. Be creative. Mix and match and eat 4-5servings a day!

Oatmeal is the miracle food here. It lowers the blood pressure and because it's a whole grain it will lower cholesterol too. And that includes Oatmeal snack bars! And Oatmeal bread!

Fourth, get a good multivitamin, in liquid form is the best because it will get absorbed better. If you want to add some more supplements, start with Vitamin C and B complex to build your immune system.

Be sure to drink plenty of liquids during the day - tea, Gatorade, water, juices. (Not soda)

Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol on target is only a matter of incorporating some changes into your everyday life so you can be the Best YOU that you can be! There's no reason to be unhealthy when you know what to do. Living this way will keep you happier and healthier so you will be able to do whatever it is you really want to do!

Disclaimer: Please check in with your physician routinely to maintain balanced health.