Hypertension is commonly caused by dietary and lifestyle factors. These are the first to be reviewed when our BP readings are consistently elevated. First line defence techniques such as improving our diet and becoming more active are beneficial. They are, however, only part of the picture. What is often overlooked is the effect of our thought patterns on our blood pressure.

As a Man Thinketh, So He Becomes:

James Allen's famous aphorism - as a man thinketh so he becomes - says that our dominant thoughts affect our well being, for good or for bad. Our subconscious mind hears our "chatter" and tries to make those thoughts our reality.

If we are worried, for example, about out our job security or keeping up the mortgage repayments, then our subconscious mind interprets our anxiety by releasing chemicals into our blood that elevate out blood pressure.

This is anxiety or stress related hypertension, which we sometimes try to alleviate through increased smoking and unhealthy drinking. We are, of course, only making our hypertension worse.

A study of psychology and hypertension carried confirmed that:

anger hostility anxiety depression and defensiveness

are often associated with high blood pressure. (Semplicini and Realdi, University of Padua Medical

School, 2009)

We can apply this knowledge to turn the problem around. Find out how by visiting:

http://how-to-lower-your-blood-pressure.com