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Aloha! For this month's newsletter we have gathered some new stuff to help you regarding high blood pressure control. Here are the highlights of what you will be reading:

High Blood Pressure And Music

High blood pressure or hypertension is deeply related to your stress level. That is why listening to music and doing breathing exercises while listening to it has proven to be one of the most remarkable and efficient ways for high blood pressure control.

American Society of Hypertension says that listening to calming music for half an hour a day helps you quite significantly.

Music therapy is now widely used in hospitals for relieving pain and stress and is considered a proven tool for relaxing a patient's mind and body.

How it works

There are many neurotransmitters in your body among which is Dopamine whose function is to reduce the level of your stress and bring you comfort. Numerous studies show that fast and slow music affects mood and temperament of your body.

Fast music can increase the level of pressure in blood and breathing rates whereas low tempo music acts as a therapy to enhanced mood and sensations in the body and reduce the pressure in blood.

Music also aids in increasing the level of calcium in your brain which helps as an effective stress reliever.

How Accurate Are Blood Pressure Monitors?

Keeping track of your blood pressure level throughout the day will help you understand the changes that affect it and how much improvements are being made in your body.

But are these monitors accurate?

Yes they are but not as accurate and helpful as a medical facilitator can be. They provide ease of use and do-it-yourself facility which helps you keep readings and get a basic idea of your condition.

But before you buy yourself a blood pressure monitor, consider these things:

• Always ask your doctor if you need to monitor and note readings on a daily basis.
• Go for the one which your doctor recommends.
• After you buy one, take to your physician to check for accuracy as it is possible that the device has a manufacturing error.
• It is always a good practice to go to the hospital and get your blood pressure checked after a few weeks. This way you can easily know your machine's accuracy.

What are the numbers that display on the blood pressure monitors?

Before using the device you must learn to use it in order to get accurate readings. With almost all monitors you get two kinds of measurements: A top number (Systolic) and a bottom number (Diastolic).

A blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury)is considered as a standard/normal reading. Here 120 is the top number or systolic reading and 80 is the bottom number or diastolic reading. Any numbers below or above them are symptoms of low or high blood pressure, respectively.

How to take accurate measurements

Usually best time to get your blood pressure measured is before and after the breakfast. Before taking measurements sit in a relaxing position and do not talk during the process. Position your left arm to the level of your heart and put the cuff loosely around your arm

There should be a space of half inch between arm and the cuff. Use the buttons on the monitor to start the process of cuff inflation and deflation, during which your blood pressure will get displayed on the monitor and you can then remove the cuff after taking the reading.

Low Sodium Diet For High Blood Pressure Control

Cutting down quantity of sodium intake is one of the first things your physician will recommend. So how ill you include it in your present diet? Follow the guide below:

1. Table salt is the most common way to consume sodium. Cut back the amount of salt in your food and bring your daily sodium intake up to no more than 2 grams per day.
2. Increase quantity of food containing magnesium, potassium and calcium. Fruits like banana and oranges are a great source of calcium and potassium. Beans, cashews and oat bran contain sufficient amounts of magnesium in them.
3. Prepare vegetable soups and chicken stock and use it with regular meals. It will add taste to your meals and you will provide essential nutrients as wells.
4. Eat fat-free and low-fat dairy products such as milk and yogurt. Alongside it is also preferable to take decaffeinated coffee.
5. Use spinach and grains in your lunch and snacks. Completely avoid salted nuts, crackers and chips. Instead you can go for baked potatoes, vegetables or fish with whole grain bread.

Blood Pressure Control Without Medication

It is definitely possible to control hypertension without medication. In fact it is recommended to avoid medication unless your doctor tells you it is absolutely necessary. However, natural ways are equally helpful if you are or not on any medication.

• First of all, you need to know your weight. If you are overweight you can easily control blood pressure by reducing your weight. It is not as hard as it sounds. A daily walk, some interesting physical activity like gardening or dancing can be of great help in reducing weight. Also you need to gradually decrease fats from your diet. Eat healthy, and colorful foods.
• Secondly, reduce amounts of caffeine and alcohol intake as much as you can. Take juices and decaffeinated beverages once in a while to develop your food habits. Do not become over conscious about changing your food habits, this way you will quickly become fed up and will not continue for a longer term. Instead, try to build up good habits slowly by adding healthy staff in your diet plan.
• Thirdly, if you are a smoker immediately get the assistance of your doctor in helping you to quit. Tobacco is harmful for the walls of your blood arteries due to which the pressure against the walls occurs even more severely.
• Fourthly, avoid stress by keeping yourself busy in healthy and fun activities. Listening to good music, enjoying a refreshing morning walk and regularly exercising deep breathing will significantly help you speed up high blood pressure treatment.

Tip Of the Month - Mint Leaves

Mint leaves are excellent blood purifiers and stress relievers. They are a natural ingredient recommended by all physicians to regulate pressure in blood vessels. These green stimulating leaves are excellent for your heart and help cure both high and low blood pressure.

You can prepare tomato and mint sauce and use it with your daily food. Tomato with mint is really an amazing combination for high blood pressure control.

Also drinking two to three cups of mint tea every day will keep you relaxed and will help reduce high blood pressure. Conclusion

For more useful stuff don't forget to drop by our website info on high blood pressure. Thanks for reading and have a lovely time enjoying life.

Your comments are always welcomed.

So see you next month for more ways to lower your blood pressure.