Hypertension

Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure. Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure leads to shortened life expectancy. At severely high pressures, defined as mean arterial pressures 50% or more above average, a person can expect to live no more than a few years unless appropriately treated. Hypertension is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and it contributes to hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis and the development of heart failure.

There are several categories of blood pressure:
Normal: Less than 120/80
Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89
Stage 1 high blood pressure: 140-159/90-99
Stage 2 high blood pressure: 160 and above/100 and above

Causes of High Blood pressure, that can lead to Hypertension:
Factors and conditions may play a part in its development, although the exact causes of high blood pressure are not known.

• Smoking
• Stress
• Being overweight
• Lack of physical activity
• Too much salt and fatty foods in the diet
• Too much alcohol consumption (no more than 1 to 2 drinks per day)
• Older age (over the age of 35)
• Genetics
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Adrenal and thyroid disorders
• Pregnancy
• Birth Control Pills
  
  

Symptoms to watch for with High Blood Pressure:
There are usually no symptoms or signs of high blood pressure. In fact, nearly one-third of those who have it don't know it. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure definitely is to have your blood pressure checked.

If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, including:

• Severe headache
• Fatigue or confusion
• Vision problems
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in the urine
  
  

Treating High Blood pressure:
Making changes in your lifestyle, is a must. Changes include losing weight, stopping smoking, drinking less or no alcohol, eating a healthy diet (such as lowering sodium intake, and eating plenty of servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods), and getting enough exercise, especially aerobic exercise.

What Essential Oils do for Blood Pressure:
The essential oil of Lavender is known to help the body lower blood pressure. Peppermint will help your body raise blood pressure. Helichrysum can help balance blood pressure.

Recipes to Lower Blood Pressure:
Marjoram lowers and regulates blood pressure.

• Put 5-6 drops Marjoram in bath water. Use 2-3 times per week. Also, inhaling the aroma deeply for several minutes, and/or, rub a few drops on the bottom of each foot.
  

Another option:

• Apply to the heart area 2x daily- Layer 2-3 drops Lavender, then 2-3 drops Frankincense, then 2-3 drops Geranium.(do not blend or mix these oils together, it is best to “layer” )
  
• Tea Tree oil aids in hypertension and recovery after a heart attack. Use internally, 4-6 drops in a capsule filled with carrier oil, taken 3x daily. This same mixture can also be applied externally, around the heart area.

Labels: Hypertension