High blood pressure despite your efforts?

High blood pressure is known as the silent killer because it creeps up without warning and leads to heart disease, stroke, kidney malfunction, blood sugar imbalances and a host of other problems. Millions struggle to get their blood pressure under control despite sticking to a healthy diet and regular exercise while taking multiple medications.
Why does this happen?
Blood pressure could spiral out of control due to three often overlooked culprits…
Calcium build up in arteries
Blood pressure can rise due to “calcium plaque” deposited in blood vessels. The diameter of your veins and arteries affects your blood pressure. A larger opening requires less pressure. But calcium deposits force blood to squeeze through narrowed pathways-and this increases blood pressure.
Inadequate amount of nitric oxide (NO)
Unbalanced levels of nitric oxide (naturally produced in the body from amino acid L-arginine and oxygen) may also cause a rise in blood pressure. This gaseous molecule signals blood vessels to relax and open to allow blood to pass easily. The widening of the blood vessels-called vasodilation-increases blood flow, decreasing blood pressure while helping keep blood platelets from sticking together.
Presence of the enzyme Angiotensin II
Unstable blood pressure may also result from blood vessel constriction and water retention caused by the Angiotensin II enzyme. When the blood vessels constrict, blood tries to squeeze through. This can damage the lining and make the arteries hard and stiff. This enzyme can also raise sodium levels, resulting in water retention and elevated blood pressure.
What you can do?
While following the doctor’s advice, it is also helpful to keep in mind that natural vitamins and nutrients can help combat serious threats to blood pressure (Vitamin K2, Magnesium, and Argnine). These can be taken as nutritional supplements as well as through green leafy vegetables such as spinach and raw nuts like almonds and walnuts that are rich in vitamin K2 and magnesium. Chickpeas and seafood have arginine. These can effectively manage your blood pressure and help protect cardiovascular system.
The author is the chairman and founder of Uforia Center for Integrated Medicine in Bengaluru. He can be reached at suresh.shottam@uforiawellness.com [1]