As a matter of fact, one can have high blood pressure for many months and even years without any visible symptoms. However, even without the symptoms, the damage to both the blood vessel and the heart does not stop and it can be detected. If left untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of serious health issues, as discussed earlier.
As mentioned in the very beginning, this condition is very common and it is estimated that 70 million adult Americans suffer from it. In other words, 40 percent of adults over the age of 25 suffer from any form of hypertension. There are actually two types of hypertension: primary and secondary. The first one develops slowly, over the course of many years while the latter appears suddenly due to an underlying condition, such as kidney problems, thyroid problems, sleep apnea, adrenal gland tumors, etc.
Whether it is primary or secondary, this condition is also associated with high cholesterol, too, Some of the key factors that increase the risk of developing high blood pressure include physical inactivity,being overweight or obese, stress, poor diet, using tobacco, low potassium levels, low vitamin D intake, excess sodium intake, and drinking too much alcohol.
Pressure-Regulating Foods
1. Garlic
Raw garlic has been long used to treat low blood pressure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, heart attack, atherosclerosis, and reduced blood flow due to narrowed arteries.
The fact that allicin, the active compound in garlic, uses the same mechanism as blood pressure drugs to lower blood pressure has been backed up by science.
Moreover, garlic helps control cholesterol, helps relax blood vessels, and it prevents the creation of angiotensin II.
2. Cucumber
Cucumbers are abundant in water content, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. Potassium balances the amount of sodium in the cells, which can often lead to atherosclerosis, while fiber reduces cholesterol, stimulates weight loss, prevents type 2 diabetes, and regulates blood pressure.
Cucumber Garlic Salad
This amazing salad can improve your cardiovascular health and it is recommended to consume it as often as possible.
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber
- 3 garlic cloves
- ½ -1 tablespoon ACV
- A few spoonfuls of water
Instructions:
- Wash the cucumber thoroughly and slice it into small pieces
- Peel the garlic and crush it with your knife
- Put the cucumber into a large glass bowl
- Mince the garlic and add it to the mixture
- Add the vinegar and water
- Serve with mint leaves
source: http://dailyhealthpost.com
