Struggling With High Blood Pressure?
Are you one of many asking themselves and searching for answers to the following questions? “How to lower blood pressure in minutes?”, “how to lower diastolic blood pressure fast?” or “tricks to lower blood pressure instantly?” Then keep reading because Trogolo OBGYN shares all these tips and tricks to keep you and your high blood pressure in check.
Pregnancy Hypertension
Hypertension, the medical term for high blood pressure, means the blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is too high. High blood pressure during pregnancy requires care, whether or not you are diagnosed with high blood pressure before or during pregnancy. Hypertension can lead to complications such as low birth weight, risk of placenta abruption, kidney problems, and pre-eclampsia. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, there is high bp during pregnancy, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes you can implement to control your health and keep your blood pressure under control.
Why Does Blood Pressure Increase During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women are at an increased risk of hypertension. According to the CDC and American Pregnancy Association, high blood pressure affects up to eight percent of pregnant women, and that number is increasing. There are different types of high blood pressure women may suffer from during pregnancy, including:
- Gestational Hypertension, which develops twenty weeks into pregnancy
- Chronic hypertension, or high blood pressure occurring before pregnancy or at the twenty-week mark
- Chronic hypertension and superimposed preeclampsia, which occurs in women with high blood pressure before their pregnancy
- Preeclampsia, which is a pregnancy complication caused by high blood pressure and signs of damage to an additional organ system
Because high blood pressure during pregnancy puts additional stress on your heart and kidneys, your risk of heart and kidney disease and stroke increases, other complications may occur as well, including preterm delivery, placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and others. Therefore, it is vital to monitor your blood pressure levels closely during your pregnancy.
Tips for Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally During Pregnancy
By monitoring and managing your blood pressure, you can have a healthier pregnancy and protect your baby’s health. In addition to this, Trogolo OBGYN recommends regular ultrasound exams to monitor the growth of your baby. Here are some high bp during pregnancy natural remedies and tips for lowering blood pressure naturally during pregnancy.
1. Avoid Sodium
Overuse of salt can cause an increase in blood pressure levels. To avoid this, monitor your salt intake during pregnancy and be careful how you cook and what you eat. Use additional spices and herbs instead of salt while cooking, avoid processed foods and drinks high in sodium, and avoid canned foods, as they are typically high in salt. If you buy processed food, always pick the low-sodium option.
2. De-Stress
You may be wondering, “how to lower blood pressure in minutes?” Deep breathing is one of those very useful tricks to lower blood pressure instantly. It lowers stress and stabilizes your blood pressure, delivering blood to the many cells in your body. To do this, lie down on your back, place your hands below the rib cage, and slowly inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Repeat this several times a few times daily, breathing slowly to keep your heart healthy. Deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help in the present and help with the future, as these tools are incredibly useful during labor.
3. Exercise
Women who are more inactive or do not exercise during pregnancy are at a greater risk of hypertension than those who do. Walking is the most accessible cardiovascular exercise for women during pregnancy. If you are wondering how to lower diastolic blood pressure fast, know that walking briskly for up to 45 minutes each day can achieve this. Try exercising through walking, swimming, or natal yoga for 30 minutes a day throughout each week to regulate blood pressure. Always consult your doctor when starting a new exercise routine.
4. Potassium
Foods like sweet potatoes, kidney beans, orange juice, or dried fruits with no added sugar, and bananas, peas, melon, potatoes, and tomatoes are potassium-rich foods that can help manage hypertension. Potassium helps to maintain a balance of electrolytes and fluids during pregnancy.
5. Music
Music can do more than just help with stress and anxiety; it can also help lower your blood pressure! Music is another option for how to lower blood pressure in minutes. Listening to low tempo, steady, and low pitch music without lyrics is one of the most useful tricks to lower blood pressure instantly.
6. Monitoring and Managing Weight
Another risk factor for hypertension is being overweight, so it is crucial to monitor and manage your weight and keep your pregnancy weight gain within healthy limits. By eating right and exercising regularly, you can more easily manage this. Hypertension and weight gain during pregnancy can also cause preeclampsia, which poses a risk for you and your baby. Being overweight also comes with elevated risks for medical conditions, including joint pain, exhaustion, gestational diabetes, GERD or reflux and heartburn, and more. Talk to your doctor about managing your weight and creating a plan to stay on track.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is proven to help maintain a balanced cholesterol level and balance your blood pressure. It is worth noting that undiluted apple cider vinegar is incredibly acidic and can damage your esophagus or stomach, so it is recommended to only consume one tablespoon of a day with a glass of warm water.
8. Magnesium
Magnesium can help to lower and manage extreme blood pressure issues. Magnesium can be found in avocados, tofu, bananas, almonds, soy milk, and more.
9. Avoid Caffeine
Because caffeine is a leading cause of high blood pressure, limiting or quitting your caffeine intake entirely during pregnancy is an effective way to keep you and your baby healthy.
10. No Harmful Substances
This is a given, but smoking and alcohol must cease entirely during pregnancy. Not only do those substances elevate your blood pressure, but they affect the health and safety of your baby. If you are newly pregnant and struggle with dependency on these substances, speak to your doctor immediately to implement a plan to quit.
Additional Tips for Managing Hypertension
It is crucial to receive early and regular prenatal medical care to keep your health on track. High bp during pregnancy and natural remedies may be all you need for your body, but if your doctor prescribes medication to keep your blood pressure in check, be sure to take it daily as prescribed. Low-dose aspirin may even be recommended as preventative care for people at risk for preeclampsia. Remember, only start or stop a medication or treatment, whether it is natural or otherwise, after speaking with your doctor. It is essential to remember that even natural things can be harmful to some people.
Outlook
The natural remedies and tips for lowering blood pressure naturally during pregnancy outlined above are not medical cures for people with genetic blood pressure issues. However, they are an excellent guide for keeping your blood pressure and health in check otherwise. If you are newly pregnant or have been diagnosed with pregnancy hypertension, our team at Trogolo OBGYN is here to care for you and your unique health needs.
We look forward to hearing from you!