Decongestants that don’t affect blood pressure
Allergy season has a way of sending people straight to the pharmacy, and for most, grabbing a decongestant feels like second nature. But for the nearly half of American adults living with high blood pressure, that reflex could come with consequences worth understanding before reaching for the shelf. Decongestants work by narrowing blood vessels in […]
Find out what beans does to your blood pressure
Beans have long been a dietary staple across cultures, but new research suggests they may deserve a much bigger place on the plate, especially for anyone watching their heart health. A recent analysis found that people who ate the most legumes and soy foods had a meaningfully lower risk of developing high blood pressure compared […]
The real reason your blood pressure efforts may not be working the way you expect
Millions of people managing high blood pressure make the same well-intentioned move. They put down the saltshaker, reach for foods labeled as healthier options and follow their doctor’s recommendations. And yet, for many of them, the numbers on the blood pressure cuff stay stubbornly high. Cardiologists say the reason is almost always the same. The […]
The 1 silent sodium mistake ruining your blood pressure efforts
If you have been working to bring your blood pressure down skipping the saltshaker, choosing what seem like healthier options, maybe even taking prescribed medication and still not seeing the results you expected, you are not alone. And according to cardiologists, the reason may come down to one widely overlooked mistake. The problem is not […]
How to lower blood pressure without medication and what the research says actually works
Sodium reduction remains one of the most consistently documented dietary interventions for blood pressure, but its effects are more variable across individuals than early research suggested. Sodium-sensitive individuals, who represent a substantial proportion of people with elevated readings, show meaningful reductions from sodium restriction, while others show more modest responses. The broader strategy of reducing […]
70% of Americans lack this 1 vital mineral and don’t know it
Many people leave their annual physical feeling reassured labs came back normal, nothing to worry about. But when it comes to magnesium, one of the body’s most essential minerals, that clean bill of health may be misleading. New research analyzing data from more than 5,000 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between […]
Decongestants and high blood pressure make a dangerous combination worth knowing about
Decongestants are among the most commonly purchased over-the-counter medications in the country, lining pharmacy shelves under familiar brand names and tucked into combination cold and allergy products. For most people they offer quick, reliable relief from congestion. For people living with high blood pressure, however, that same relief can come at a cost that does […]
High blood pressure is a bigger threat to women than weight
Think about what you do when you notice a crack in your windshield you get it repaired before it gets worse. Or when your bank sends a fraud alert you check your account immediately. People are naturally inclined to respond to problems they can see. But one of the most serious health threats facing […]
Know the difference between smoothies and juice, and which of them is the healthiest
Not all fruit is created equal, at least not when it comes to how you consume it. A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition found that the form in which people eat fruit matters significantly for health outcomes, with smoothie drinkers faring considerably better than juice drinkers on nearly every measure examined. […]
Lower blood pressure fast with these 3 routines
Nearly half of all American adults are living with high blood pressure, and while medication and long-term lifestyle changes play an important role in managing the condition, experts say the window right after you wake up may be one of the most overlooked opportunities to take action. Before the coffee brews and the day gets […]