High blood pressure is also  known as hypertension. When the blood flows, it exerts a force on the walls of the blood vessels which carry blood. The force exerted by the blood on the blood vessels (muscular tubes) is known as blood pressure. This force exerted is known as cardiac output (amount of blood ejected from the heart, every time it beats) and the resistance of the blood vessels to the flowing blood.

It is a condition where in the blood pressure is higher than 120 over 80 mm of Hg. The more the pressure, the more is the risk to the heart. High blood pressure also puts pressure on kidneys. The blood pressure is persistantly high in the arteries. The higher the pressure, the harder the heart has to pump.

Range of blood pressure (in mm Hg) as defined by American Heart
Association

  1. Normal blood pressure - Systolic is below 120 mm Hg and Diastolic below 80 mm Hg - 120/80
  2. Pre-Hypertension - Systolic betweenn 120 - 139 mm Hg or Diastolic between 80-89 mm Hg - 120-139/80-89
  3. Stage 1 Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Systolic between 140-159 mm Hg or diastolic between 90-99 mm Hg 140-159/90-99
  4. Stage 2 Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Systolic values 160 mm Hg or higher or Diastolic values 100 mm Hg or higher-- 160/100
  5. Hypertensive crisis (Medical Emergency) - Blood pressure is above 180 Systolic or above 100 mm Hg Diatolic- 180/100

Natural Variations of Blood Pressure

  1. Blood pressure lowers at sleep and rises on awakening.
  2. Blood pressure naturally rises during excitement, anxiety and physical activity.

Hypertension according to Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, high blood pressure is caused by abnormal functioning of Vyana and Udana Vayu, Ranjak Pitta and Avalambaka Kapha including loss of their functional integrity and co-ordination. In Ayurveda, hypertension can be compared with a condition called Raktagata Vata. In this condition, the vitiated Vata gets lodged in the circulating Rakta dhatu and causes disturbance in its circulation. Since Rakta (blood) and Pitta (heat) are related in an inseparable relationship. Thus, the disturbance of Rakta also leads to the disturbance of Pitta. So, in this context Raktagata Vata is basically a disorder of blood caused by morbid Vata and Pitta. The Kapha component is also disturbed leading to loss of support and integrity of cardiac functions.

When Avalambaka Kapha components gains a pathological increase, they cause blockage in the arteries as well as in the arterioles leading to atherosclerosis and peripheral resistance.

Another pathological process may lead to the aggravated Rakta (blood) blocking the normal functions of Vata leading to a condition called Rakta vrita Vata.

Other body factors contributing to Hypertension as per Ayurveda

The other Doshas can also be involved in the backdrop or in a later condition. These doshas are

  • Pachak Pitta associated and Samana Vayu is disturbed at the backdrop of Hypertension leading to disturbance of gross and tissue metabolism.
  • The Prana Vayu gets disturbed due to stress, anxiety.
  • Apana Vayu gets disturbed leading to upward and haphazard movement of Vayu leading to increase pressure in the abdominal area and chest organs putting these organs under physiological stress.
  • Sadhak Pitta in heart/brain and Tarpak Kapha (lubricants of nervous system) when disturbed cause disturbances in the heart function as well as a disturbance in brain-heart co-ordination.

The disturbed Rajas and Tamas definitely contributes in the pathogenesis of hypertension either in the initial or terminal stages according to Ayurveda.

Treatment Approach according to Ayurveda

The treatment approach includes identifying the extent of morbidity of Doshas and their sub-types, the tissue strength, the extent of the disease and metabolic errors.

The Prakriti and Vikriti (pathological state of the disease and the diseased) must be studied in detail. The basic principles of the treatment lie in prescribing Vata-pacifying diet, medicines and lifestyle advises.

Top 7 Natural tips to manage high blood pressure at home

    1. Following the principles of diet, lifestyle, code and conduct of ideal living on daily and seasonal basis, courteous behaviour and by eliminating stress from life and helping the body in releasing the naturally manifested reflexes and urges and not forcing the non-impending reflexes from the body.

    2. Avoid taking foods and activities that disturb the three doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha which are the primary culprits in the causation of Hypertension. Home made freshly prepared food is advised and food items made of refined flour must like- junk food must be avoided. Include more green vegetables and fibres in the diet. Preserved food is strictly avoided as it contains salt content in high amount which increases the risk of hypertension.

    3. Daily walking for 1 hour is highly recommended as it helps to control blood pressure.

    4. Include Vitamin C in your diet like - citrus fruits, lemon, Indian gooseberry, tomatoes etc.

    5. Include Rasona (Allium sativum) in diet as it lowers the blood pressure especially the systolic part. The compounds containing sulphur are found in garlic including allicin acts on body's nitric oxide system which relaxes the arteries and lowers the systolic blood pressure.

    6. Meditation - Include Meditation in your daily schedule for 1 hour. It reduces the stress, anxiety and makes you feel relax. It is an anti-dote for hypertension, anxiety, anger, greed, lust etc.

    7. Indulge in variety of entertaining and pleasing activities can help to control hypertension and try to be happy.

    8. Don't eat heavy foods at night like- rice, curry, pulses etc. Only freshly prepared soups must be included in dinner. Hydrogenated fats are strictly avoided.

    Herbs that are useful in Hypertension are

    • Sarpagandha (Rauwofia serpentina)
    • Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)
    • Bala (Sida cordifolia)
    • Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

    and the best Rasayanas provided by Ayurveda are-

  • Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
  • Shankhpushpi (Convolvulvus pluricaulis)
  • Ash gourd (Winter melon)
  • Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)

and many more. Hypertension or high blood pressure is a lifestyle disorder and it can be managed by following the right lifestyle and right eating habits. A person who is compassionate to others and free from greed, anger, tension, fear, stress and jealousy can never develop hypertension in his/her life. Natural tips must be followed to get rid of high blood pressure instead of popping a synthetic pill daily.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW:- http://store.planetayurveda.com/heart-care-pack.html

Author's Bio: 

DR. Vikram Chauhan, MD - AYURVEDA is an expert Ayurvedic practitioner based in Chandigarh, India and doing his practice in Mohali, India. He is spreading the knowledge of Ayurveda Ancient healing treatment, not only in India but also abroad. He is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Products, Planet Ayurveda Clinic and Krishna Herbal Company. For more info visit our webiste: http://www.planetayurveda.com & Download our Android App Planet Aurveda from Google Play Store