6Mar/11Off
What effect if any does staying well hydrated have on high blood pressure?
Somebody told me that you can flush some of the salts from your system by drinking 8 glasses of water or more a day, but I though part of the problem of high blood pressure is that there is already too much fluid in your blood. I'm already on Diovan, doing gripping exercises, doing cardio, trying to reduce salt intake, and trying to lose weight but I'm looking for extra things to do to help.
March 6th, 2011 - 17:39
Try getting more potassium into your diet, and drinking plenty of water. I know that it sounds like adding additional fluid is counter-productive, but the water will help flush sodium and it can help to lower BP.
To lower blood pressure, blunt the effects of salt, and reduce the risk of kidney stones and bone loss, adults should consume 4.7 grams of potassium per day. However, most American women 31 to 50 years old consume no more than half of the recommended amount of potassium, and men’s intake is only moderately higher. Canadians typically eat more potassium than their American counterparts. African Americans in the United States generally get less potassium than non-Hispanic whites, and because they have a higher prevalence of elevated blood pressure, increased potassium intake may have particularly significant benefits for them.
Foods with Potassium Serving Size Potassium (mg)
Apricots, dried 10 halves / 407
Avocados, raw 1 ounce / 180
Bananas, raw 1 cup / 594
Beets, cooked 1 cup / 519
Brussel sprouts, cooked / 1 cup 504
Cantaloupe 1 cup / 494
Dates, dry 5 dates / 271
Figs, dry 2 figs / 271
Kiwi fruit, raw 1 medium / 252
Lima beans 1 cup / 955
Melons, honeydew 1 cup / 461
Milk, fat free or skim 1 cup / 407
Nectarines 1 nectarine / 288
Orange juice 1 cup / 496
Oranges 1 orange / 237
Pears (fresh) 1 pear / 208
Peanuts dry roasted, unsalted 1 ounce / 187
Potatoes, baked, 1 potato / 1081
Prune juice 1 cup / 707
Prunes, dried 1 cup / 828
Raisins 1 cup / 1089
Spinach, cooked 1 cup / 839
Tomato products, canned sauce 1 cup / 909
Winter squash 1 cup / 896
Yogurt plain, skim milk 8 ounces / 579
This is what I had to do to lower my bp – but the doctor never told me.
I now do cardio , have cut back on salt, drink 8 glasses of water a day get plenty of potassium and have lost 10 pounds – but my doctor only told me to cut down on salt.
Good on you for making your changes !
March 6th, 2011 - 17:39
If you are retaining fluids, it’s generally because you aren’t drinking *enough* water. If you have excess salt, etc. in your body that has not been flushed out, this will cause you to retain water. Drinking more will enable your body to remove the excess minerals and toxins, and will enable you to rid yourself of excess fluids and water as well.
March 6th, 2011 - 17:39
water – si
find out if anything is making you angry … it might affect your pressure .. and relax and breathe ..
you could meditate … or do some yoga stretches … they are always nice.