Following is a discussion on the dehydration - high blood pressure link including causation & remedy.
Sixty million Americans, or 25% of the population suffers from high blood pressure.
Roughly, 80% of Americans suffer from dehydration.
High blood pressure causes numerous serious health problems.
There is a firm connection between dehydration & high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is often considered a normal, unavoidable consequence of aging. So is an increasingly dehydrated body.
But we propose that it is not natural aging that leads to high blood pressure, but rather dehydration that causes high blood pressure.
As such, before any other interventions are considered, first rule out dehydration as the cause of high blood pressure.
With all that we are learning about the complexity of the body, isn’t it something that of the main high blood pressure causes, dehydration may top the list.
And so, indirectly, many other disorders linked to high blood pressure, can also be linked to dehydration including coronary problems and strokes.
Topping the list of high blood pressure causes: Dehydration
Many factors are involved in developing hypertension including lack of exercise & improper diet. However, the management & availability of water is the number one factor in the development of high blood pressure. Here’s why…
Our blood vessels, arteries and veins must be filled with blood at all times. When blood volume diminishes because water is lacking & drawn from the blood and redirected to vital organs, the body compensates.
To keep blood vessels full, the blood vessels have to contract. If they didn't contract, the empty parts may become filled with gas pockets, a very dangerous condition.
So this contraction is a healthy defensive maneuver. But what the body gains in one respect it loses in another. That's because this contraction causes increased tension in the vessels. This contraction leads to high blood pressure, temporary or chronic.
The tightening of vessels also occurs to squeeze fluids into vital body parts and cells like the brain cells or those vital parts would start to shut down.
This defensive maneuver can become chronic, established and possibly permanent and irreversible. When this occurs, high blood pressure becomes chronic and continued medical treatment of the condition becomes necessary.
This tightening of blood vessels in response to dehydration, is one of the possible scenarios. It occurs in persons with good enough tone in their vessels so that the vessels can contract properly.
This is why there is a strong link between dehydration & high blood pressure.
Best high blood pressure remedy: hydration
You've probably heard of all the recommendations for keeping your blood pressure in the healthy range. Exercise, avoiding obesity, avoiding salt etc. You may also be aware of medical treatments for the problem.
However a little preventive hydration or proper hydration when blood pressure problems are mild may do you a world of good.
As usual, do not take this information as medical advice. If you have HBP any corrective actions should follow discussion with a medical professional.
Don't fool around or experiment with your body when it comes to hypertension. But do act on clinical information that has been gathered about dehydration - high blood pressure.
Medications that are prescribed by doctors, not aware of the relationship between dehydration & high blood pressure, are often diuretics. Diuretics force body out of your body. That is supposed to reduce blood pressure.
Prescription diuretics force water that is not circulating properly out of your body. The removal of this unhealthy fluid does lower blood pressure.
But the paradox here is that we know that dehydration and blood pressure are linked so why would we take a diuretic? Because they work but at great cost.
Yes, diuretics reduce hypertension for as long as you take them but they also establish a permanent dehydration state.
Well guess what the best diuretic is? Water!
Drinking water in sufficient amounts at the right time actually encourages your body to release water. And there are no side effects.
Salt and HBP
Surprise! Salt is not the villain in HBP. In fact, while cutting back on table salt in your food, you may actually profit from putting a little sea salt in your water. Salt will help you hold some of the water so it can circulate & fill arteries.
One quarter tsp per quart should be sufficient. Also try and take a magnesium, calcium and potassium supplement to balance salt intake.
This will all work in tandem with the increased water to help reduce blood pressure.
Another reason that you need to add these minerals to your diet is that you will be losing them as you drink more water, in your urine and perspiration. It is important that these vital elements are not depleted or health problems including HBP could follow.
It may take several weeks for positive results because the body has to adapt to the new regimen. That's ok. It's normal. Be patient.
Lastly, follow other commonsense recommendations to help reduce blood pressure. Watch your diet and try to relieve stress whenever possible.
Visit our two sister sites for more great recommendations on using herbs & exercise for hypertension.