BBC Two - Trust Me, I'm a Doctor, Series 2, Episode 2 - The big blood pressure experiment (2024)

FAQs

How to pass a blood pressure test? ›

Focus on deep breathing for 10-15 minutes before your appointment. The most effective technique for lowering blood pressure is inhaling through the nose and holding for 5-6 seconds, then exhaling through the mouth for one second longer than the inhale.

However, a 2008 study stated that beet juice lowers blood pressure in about 3 hours. Research suggests that drinking beet juice daily for at least 60 days provides the most benefits, helping significantly improve hypertension.

Key Takeaways. Beetroot powder is a product of dehydrated beets that are then ground down into a fine powder that can be mixed into foods and beverages. There is currently no recommended dose of beetroot powder for blood pressure however, most studies suggest anywhere from 250-500mg per day.

Drinking water can help normalize blood pressure. If you are dehydrated, it can also help lower blood pressure. Drinking water is not a treatment for high blood pressure but it can help you sustain healthier blood pressure, whether you have hypertension or not.

You can prepare for the day, but don't eat breakfast or take medications before measuring your blood pressure. If you exercise after waking, take your blood pressure before exercising. Avoid food, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol for 30 minutes before taking a reading.

If your blood pressure is elevated and you want to see an immediate change, lie down and take deep breaths. This is how you lower your blood pressure within minutes, helping to slow your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. When you feel stress, hormones are released that constrict your blood vessels.

The top fruits for lowering blood pressure include bananas, apples, pears, apricots, grapes, raisins, kiwis, mangoes, watermelon, pomegranate, plums, prunes, avocado, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, tomatoes, citrus fruit, berries, and more.

Salty foods. High sodium consumption can elevate blood pressure. Many people eat too much sodium without realizing it. Highly processed foods and fast foods usually contain excessive amounts of sodium, often more than the 2,300 milligrams a person should consume daily.

Why do I feel dizzy after drinking beet juice? ›

Some of the dizziness encountered when adding beets to a diet may be linked to lower blood pressure, especially during pregnancy. The combination of blood pressure that drops during pregnancy and from increased nitric oxide could cause extremely low blood pressure leading to dizziness or fatigue.

The Bottom Line. Bananas are a nutritious and tasty option for helping lower blood pressure. Loaded with essential nutrients like potassium, fiber and vitamin C, bananas offer several benefits for cardiovascular health. Their potassium content counterbalances sodium intake, promoting blood vessel relaxation.

Most research conducted on athletic performance, blood pressure, and other notable benefits of beets used beetroot juice in their studies. Therefore, it's suggested that beetroot juice is likely a better option for those who are taking beets for those benefits.

The only existing study on SuperBeets examined 13 healthy, older adults and the manufacturer funded it. The results showed that taking a daily serving of the powder in water for 4 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure ( 4 ).

Beets and beet juice are high in nitrates, substances that turn into nitric oxide inside your body. Your body naturally produces nitric oxide, which is crucial for blood vessel health. Nitric oxide relaxes and widens your arteries, allowing more blood to flow through and significantly lowering blood pressure.

No special preparations are usually needed for a blood pressure test. But the following steps may provide the most accurate measurement: Do not smoke, exercise or use caffeine for 30 minutes to an hour before the test. Such activities increase blood pressure and heart rate.

Sit quietly for five minutes before the test begins. The inflatable part of the cuff should completely cover at least 80% of your upper arm, and the cuff should be placed on bare skin, not over a shirt. Don't talk during the measurement. Have your blood pressure measured twice, with a brief break in between.