Some people believe that lying down with high blood pressure is categorically wrong, it is necessary to move. Others are sure that it is possible to reduce blood pressure by only lying down.
If you feel unwell, check your blood pressure and it turns out that it is elevated, how to behave in such a situation? How to reduce the pressure? Should you lie down or walk? This is a question my patients often ask me.
If you walk, your blood pressure will rise even more and….. hello, stroke! Thus, this method cannot lower blood pressure in any way.
Therefore, when you have high blood pressure, you should not overexert yourself. It is best to take a semi-sitting or semi-lying position so that your head is above your lower extremities, and take your blood pressure medicine. Once your blood pressure starts to go down, you can get up and walk around.
Also, check out these other reliable ways to lower blood pressure quickly:
Breathe deeply
Proper deep breathing is one of the most effective ways to quickly reduce the pressure in blood vessels. By breathing in and out more frequently, the concentration of oxygen in the blood increases. This means that the body does not need to speed up blood flow to provide oxygen to all organs and tissues, and the pressure on the blood vessels is reduced.
Relax, close your eyes…
Take a deep breath, counting to 5. Inhale not with your chest, but with your abdomen. To control it, put your hand on it: you should feel it rising. Then exhale again for 5 counts. Repeat for 3 to 5 minutes.
You can try holding your breath after exhaling for 8-10 seconds – choose the variant of the exercise that seems more comfortable to you.
Cool your hands
Cool water slows down your heart rate. Hold your palms under a stream of cold water for 1-2 minutes. You should also wash your face.
Drink peppermint tea
If you are not allergic, brew a pinch of peppermint leaves with boiling water for 10 minutes, let cool and drink the tea in slow sips. In this form, peppermint can lower blood pressure.
But remember: peppermint enhances the effect of medications for high blood pressure. So be careful.
If you don't have mint, brew green tea. It dilates the blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure.
Make a cold compress
Apply a cold compress to your head for 5-10 minutes. You can also dip your feet in cold water for 1 minute.
Massage your neck and head
Gently massage the transition area of the neck to the head. Gently press on the temples and inner corners of the eyes. Pulling the earlobes downward also helps to normalize the condition.
Take a dip in salt water
This method can reduce blood pressure by 11-12%, relax and get a good night's sleep.
Fill a bathtub with water at a temperature of 98.6 °F. Pour 5-10 tablespoons of salt into the tub and stir. Immerse yourself in the tub up to your shoulders and stay there for 10-15 minutes.
These methods of lowering blood pressure, while effective, may only be temporary. If you experience regular changes in blood pressure, you should see a doctor as soon as possible and get proper treatment.