January can be a stressful month for many individuals. Between after holiday blues and everyday stress, we can all feel snowed under. Of course, now that credit card bills are arriving in the mail, several people are starting to feel their blood pressure rise. If you're anything like "Snoopy" the famous beagle, your ultimate wish would be to receive love letters in your mailbox instead of bills. Hopefully, you will receive lots of love letters next month in February.
If you have diabetes, you need to be fully aware of how stress not only increases your glucose but your blood pressure as well. The number one killer of Americans is cardiovascular disease. The most important step you can take to prevent heart disease is to maintain a healthy blood pressure. The latest optimal blood pressure should be around 115/75 mm/Hg. Did you know that high blood pressure gradually destroys delicate blood vessels and organs throughout the body? The end result can be retinopathy, vascular dementia, kidney failure, aortic aneurysm, stroke, and heart attack.
There is a particular leaf that your heart will love. The olive leaf is that lovely leaf which contains oleuropein, a compound that helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Oleuropein has been shown to target arterial resistance and stiffness, improving endothelial function and decreasing blood pressure. It actually modulates calcium channel flow.
If you have high blood pressure and are taking medication you need to be aware of the harmful side effects, from electrolyte imbalance, edema, gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure, increased risk of heart attack, and even death. Also, you should always carefully monitor your blood pressure at home with an accurate home blood pressure monitor. There are several lifestyle changes that can also keep your blood pressure in a healthy range such as weight loss, less stress, exercise, alkaline water, proper foods and nutrition.
If you have diabetes and/or high blood pressure and are taking medication to lower your blood pressure, seek medical advice before taking olive leaf extract. It is best to consult with your health care professional in regards to your own personal health.
Taking olive leaf is a great start to having a healthy heart!
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