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Many of the ‘pre’ syndromes such as pre hypertension are an indicator that several lifestyle areas need to be addressed. Various factors contribute to the onset of a disease such as hypertension, which in itself is part of a larger complex of risk factors for other cardiovascular diseases. Dietary and lifestyle guidance are central to any disease modification. Consulting a Naturopath who can liaise with your General practitioner will enable you to identify risk factors and precursors in your lifestyle. Changing these precursors will ultimately improve your health and longevity. The following are suggestions for changes that you can easily make before consulting a Naturopath.
 
1. Stress Reduction
One of the largest contributors to hypertension is your stress response. Our bodies are programmed for a basic primitive stress response. Meaning that the same hormones and chemicals are released, whether we are facing a life threatening situation, or meeting a deadline for work. The problem with this essential stress response is that unlike the life threatening situation which is relatively short-lived a stress response to our everyday life is ongoing unless we learn to change and recognise what our stressors are. Learning to recognise your triggers and unwind throughout the day will aid in reducing your blood pressure, as part of the stress response is a rise in blood pressure.
 
2. Diet
Many are aware of the importance in diet however it is often the last factor to be changed. It is far easier to reach for vitamins or pharmaceuticals to treat your symptoms than it is to change your diet. A dietary shift may not only reduce your blood pressure but also lessen the risks of other diseases like atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack. Pre hypertension becomes dangerous when it is present with other cardiovascular risk factors like high cholesterol and excess weight. A general rule is to reduce processed, refined, fat-laden and sugar-based foods and replace them with a diet that is high in vegetables and fruit, with grains and meats being secondary to your vegetable-based intake. For many people this requires them to invert their current eating regime. Fruits and vegetables with a high antioxidant component like those that are dark green, red and blue are particularly beneficial (eg kale, blueberries, raspberries, spinach). Specific dietary requirements can be discussed with your naturopath.
 
3. Exercise
Ensuring 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise like walking or running will greatly aid your cardiovascular health. It’s amazing how many people fail to achieve this small amount of exercise. It can be as easy as getting up half an hour earlier and walking around the block before breakfast. Small amounts of exercise are ultimately better than none.
 
4. Vitamins
There are vitamins that can support cardiovascular function and aid in the reduction of blood pressure, however unless the above areas are addressed you are fighting an uphill battle. Generally the nutrients that aid in cardiovascular health have a high antioxidant content. Some heart specific antioxidants and nutrients include Co enzyme Q10, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Magnesium Orotate. Hawthorne and Linden flowers are herbs that may aid in the reduction of blood pressure and improve vascular response. Nutrients and herbs that support your nervous system and aid your stress response include B vitamins, Withania, Rhodiola and Siberian ginseng. Some of these nutrients and herbs appear together in supplemental form. It is my suggestion that you discuss this with our instore Naturopaths next time you are in so that a product can be chosen that suits your specific needs.

The information presented on this page has been prepared by a fully qualified naturopath and is for educational purposes only. It does not take into consideration your specific circumstances and is not intended to replace the services of a health practitioner. Any application of the material in this text is at the reader’s discretion and sole responsibility. If you have a persistent health condition or your symptoms are severe please consult a qualified healthcare provider.