Hypertension is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” and is feared by many. According to the 2017 American Heart Association guidelines, when blood pressure is measured during a quiet, unagitated state and is elevated more than three times in two consecutive weeks, one is considered to have high blood pressure ( hypertension).
Once diagnosed, simply lowering blood pressure is not the only goal. What is equally important is to find the cause. When the cause is resolved, the “silent killer” will instead become your “assistant” to alert you to the state of your health.
There are several causes of high blood pressure. Anger, nervousness, fear, stiff shoulders and cold weather are all contributing factors.
1. Ways to solve hypertension due to angry or tense environment
Some people are more easily agitated than others – even while watching television their emotions can rise, causing outward expressions of anger such as turning red, with a bulging neck and having an angry temper. This phenomenon occurs when sympathetic nerves become overactive, causing peripheral blood vessels to constrict. In this condition, the blood fails to send oxygen directly to all parts of the body, which leads to high blood pressure.
I once had a patient in her 50s, who was mildly obese and whose blood pressure readings were consistently around 200. After trying six different types of western medicine antihypertensive drugs to no effect, she came to see me for a treatment. After the treatments, her blood pressure dropped to 140 or 150. She was so happy that she told people everywhere, “Dr. Hu cured my blood pressure problem.
I told him at the time, “Your high blood pressure was not cured by me, but by you. How? “The medicine I prescribed for you is a medicine to soothe the emotions. Thus, you also adjust your emotions and become happier every day. Once you reach the “don’t get mad, feel good” state, the hypertension will go away on its own. »
2 teas to soothe emotions and lower blood pressure
The following two teas can help soothe your emotions, achieving a calm and happy mood.
chrysanthemum tea
Put 10 pieces of chrysanthemum in a cup and infuse with hot water. Whether yellow, white or wild chrysanthemums, they are all fine. Drink the tea once the chrysanthemums are fully soaked, puffed up, and fragrant. To make the drink more attractive and increase the desire to drink more, add a little licorice or goji.
Jujube decoction with licorice
It was one of the remedies for the patient mentioned above.
In a pot of 1500 cc (about 3.2 pints) of water, boil four masses (about 0.52 oz) of licorice, 1 tael (about 1.33 oz) of wheat and 12 red dates and reduce until 1000 cc (about 2.1 pints) remain. Drink herbal tea daily.
Note: It is better to choose “floating wheat”, ie wheat stored longer.
Exercise daily to increase happiness index
Exercise relaxes blood vessels, and once the peripheral blood vessels dilate, blood can pass through efficiently, flushing cholesterol out of the blood vessels at the same time. Once blood flow in large blood vessels becomes normal, blood pressure drops. Also, during exercise, the brain produces hormones called endorphins, known as “happiness hormones,” which make people happier and naturally lower blood pressure.
How do busy people at home and at work find time to exercise? The benefits of exercising every day can be compounded. For example, when taking the bus to work, get off one stop earlier and walk the rest of the distance. Or when you go to lunch, spend five or six minutes walking up and down stairs. When the working day is over and after dinner, take a walk. That way, at the end of the day, you’ve accumulated about 30 minutes of exercise, and the more ways you find, the better.
You can also “ground” negative energy in the body by wearing soft fabric shoes, just socks, or walking barefoot on grass or ground. In this way, in addition to exercising, the blood supply to the brain is also increased. With enough oxygen, blood pressure will naturally drop.
2. Press 3 acupuncture points to relieve hypertension with stiff neck
Having a stiff neck and shoulders is another condition that can make hypertension worse.
For example, many office workers spend their days in front of a computer screen in a “turtleneck” posture and must sit for many hours. When they get home, they’re either lying on the couch again – not moving – or leaning their head towards their phone, which further contributes to their stiff neck and shoulders, which can lead to high blood pressure. .
I have another patient who went to the hospital for checkups, and each time his blood pressure was measured near 200. He still felt unwell after taking all the blood pressure medication prescribed by the doctor, whether cholesterol lowering or blood vessel dilation. Later, I helped him stretch his carotid artery and his high blood pressure problem disappeared.
There is an acupuncture point for neck and shoulder stiffness, the Chize acupuncture point (LU 5). Gently press the Chize point on the left and right hands daily for 3-5 minutes, and shake and move the neck while pressing. In this way, blood circulation in the neck will improve and blood from the carotid artery will flow to the brain. When there is sufficient blood supply, blood pressure will naturally drop.
In addition to Chize, two other points can improve blood circulation. One is Zusanli (ST 36) and the other is Sanyinjiao (SP 6).
In addition, people who cannot accurately press the acupuncture points can also use the tapping method. By hitting the upper part of the acupuncture point and also hitting the lower part, they can sometimes reach the exact location of the acupuncture point, and the effect is also very good.
Note: Pregnant women should avoid massaging or tapping the Sanyinjiao point.
3. Cold type hypertension – Keep the body warm
Cold weather can also cause blood pressure to rise.
In cold seasons, to retain heat in the body, the blood vessels around the body narrow, that is, they become thinner and narrow. This reduces blood flow in the body and much of the blood stays inside the large blood vessels causing blood pressure to stay high.
What to do? Wear layers of warm clothes and drink hot drinks. This will help narrowed blood vessels return to their normal width, blood will then be sent evenly to all other blood vessels and blood pressure will drop without the use of antihypertensive drugs.