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These are "emergency" methods and you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Almost three quarters of people over the age of 55 suffer from high blood pressure. Excess weight, poor nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle are all factors that increase the risk of developing hypertension. Of course, the correct treatment should be selected only with a doctor, but sometimes there are situations when both the doctor and the drugs prescribed for them are unavailable for some reason. We've put together some tips to help you lower your blood pressure without pills — but remember that it's important to see a doctor as soon as you get the chance.
What pressure is considered elevated?
Doctors speak of hypertension if an adult patient's systolic ("upper") pressure remains at 140 mm or more, and diastolic ("lower") pressure is 90 or more for seven days or more. In this case, you should consult a doctor, choose therapy and carefully take the prescribed drugs, as well as try to minimize the factors that increase the risk of hypertension: give up smoking and alcohol, switch to a healthier diet and move more. But even if your upper pressure fluctuates between 10-14 mm for 130-140 days, you should consult a doctor: this condition is also considered dangerous for health and may require treatment. If you do not have a tonometer at hand, the pressure can be determined using these folk remedies, but it is still better to buy or rent a medical device and take measurements regularly for at least a week.
How to lower blood pressure without pills
All of the following means should be considered as "emergency", they should be used only if you do not have the opportunity to consult a doctor. You should not use them constantly - it can have a bad effect on your health.
Deep breathing
Deep measured breathing helps to reduce the level of stress, which in most cases is the cause of increased blood pressure. To cope with it, you should take a deep breath (and try to inhale through the chest, not the stomach), then exhale just as deeply. Try to inhale and exhale for at least five seconds. Repeat several times, try to hold your breath between exhalation and inhalation for 5-8 seconds. Deep breathing will increase blood flow, blood vessels will expand and pressure will decrease.
Cold compresses for hands
Hold your hands under cool (but not ice-cold) running water for a few minutes. This will reduce the heart rate and thus lower the blood pressure.
A hot bath for hands or feet
When the pressure increases, the blood vessels in the limbs narrow. To help them expand, you can prepare a bath with hot water (about 45 degrees) and lower your hands and feet into it. After 10 minutes, the blood vessels will expand, blood will flow to the legs and arms, and the pressure will decrease.
Mint tea
Mint is a wonderful natural anti-stress. If you have some dried leaves of this plant at home (or ready-made bags), pour boiling water over them, leave for 10 minutes, then strain, wait until the drink cools down a little, and drink slowly. You can add a little sugar or honey: this mint tea will reduce stress and lower blood pressure. The main thing: the drink should not be hot, and it should be drunk slowly, in small sips.
Valerian
Valerian tincture or any drugs based on it (except corvalol: it is quickly addictive). This natural sedative helps us cope with stress and lowers blood pressure - the main thing is not to exceed the recommended dose.
Vinegar compresses
A folk method, the effectiveness of which was confirmed by several studies at once. Dip a gauze or cloth in apple cider vinegar and apply to your feet for 10-15 minutes. After some time, the pressure will decrease.
