High blood pressure is a silent killer. There are practically no symptoms. It develops when the heart is put under strain to efficiently pump blood to and from the body, mainly because of diseased and narrowed arteries. This struggle to keep you alive can so easily lead to major problems, even death, if it is not diagnosed and effectively treated in good time. Your sex life is one area that may be negatively affected if a visit to your doctor shows that your numbers are high.

Your doctor will undoubtedly prescribe medication to bring those numbers back to normal, but it helps to know how the side effects of blood pressure medication may affect your sexuality. Lifestyle plays an important role in treating high blood pressure, and with the right changes, you can successfully avoid, delay, and even reduce the need for medication.

How high blood pressure can affect your sex life

Blood flow to the body is hampered when not enough blood is being pumped through it, and the body needs good blood flow to operate properly. This includes the genitals — the penis and the vagina — which rely on healthy blood flow for erections and enhanced feelings of enjoyment for men and women. High blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood where it needs to go, and the risk of a stroke or heart attack becomes substantially higher. Visit your doctor, who will want to keep a check on how you are doing.

Natural ways to help get your BP back on track

• Drop a few pounds, especially around the middle. If you're carrying extra weight around your waist, it may affect your breathing, particularly when you sleep or make love. You'll have to breathe harder to get enough oxygen, forcing the heart to work that much harder, raising your blood pressure in the process.
• Eat a healthy diet, rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, to help lower your BP. Opt for lean cuts of meat and trim off the visible fat.
• Exercise regularly. If your numbers are already high, regular physical activity can bring them down quite quickly.
• Reduce sodium in your diet. Try not to add extra salt to your food. Salt encourages water retention, which puts a strain on the heart having to cope with getting rid of it.
• Limit alcohol intake. There is good news and bad news about alcohol and BP. In small amounts, alcohol can actually lower your blood pressure. If you drink a lot, it can substantially raise your numbers, and may also reduce the effect of BP medications.
• Quit or drastically reduce smoking. The less you smoke, the better your chance of increasing your life expectancy. Each time you light up, your BP rises and stays high for as many minutes as your cigarette lasts, and possibly longer.

A healthy diet is essential to control blood pressure, but there are also some excellent natural supplements available that can help do the job, and keep your arteries free of inflammation and disease.

Vitamin C and E are excellent antioxidants that help prevent inflammation in the arteries, which contributes to high blood pressure. Opt for natural, tested supplements for a positive impact on your health.

We can help

If high blood pressure has put a damper on your sex life, we can help. Herbal Remedies International has taken potent herbal ingredients and developed excellent formulas to help combat low libido and related issues. Our products are safe to take and do not need a doctor's script. Visit us at www.herbalremedies.co.za to view our range of products and see how we can help you.

We are here to help you.