Managing High Blood Pressure

Rijihs asked:


My father-in-law has ancestral high blood pressure. Also his heart is not healthy, so sometimes it affects the blood pressure to get higher either. Now when something happens or if his blood pressure gets higher he has to take really powerful medicine, which is not good for his other bodies. Even sometimes when his blood pressure gets higher he gets really close to the stroke. I could feel that. So my question is “Is it possible to cure ancestral high blood pressure, also high blood pressure that caused by heart abnormality?”

Diane

C. J. asked:


A student of mine pulled out a bottle of prescription eye drops today, telling me that he had high blood pressure of the eyes. He said that if it’s not treated he can develop glaucoma. He’s 16, and this sounds completely illogical, but, I also didn’t major in biology or medicine in school.

Robert

Article Manager asked:


High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often characterized as the silent killer–and for good reason. Although it affects an estimated one in five North Americans, many people don’t experience any symptoms. As a result, less than one-quarter of sufferers actually receive treatment. Left untreated, however, it can severely damage the cardiovascular system, leading to death from stroke, heart attack or kidney failure.

Most high blood pressure patients are candidates for medications, including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and diuretics. However, statistics show that of the 20 to 30 million individuals diagnosed with high blood pressure, less than half stay on their medication for more than one year. Moreover, 60 per cent of those who lower their medication do so because of side-effects. Given this information, the use of nutritional and botanical supplements, along with the adoption of a healthier lifestyle, can be of immense benefit in fighting this hidden killer.

Lifestyle and Dietary Approaches

If you wish to either prevent or treat high blood pressure, changing how you eat, sleep, and respond to stress are very important considerations. In the eight-week DASH trial conducted by the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in 1997, 70 percent of volunteers who eliminated meat and sugar, decreased unhealthy fat intake, and increased fruit and vegetable consumption decreased blood pressure to below 140/90 mm/Hg compared to just 45 percent of those who only ate more fruits and vegetables.

Individuals with high blood pressure should decrease sodium intake to approximately three grams per day and add at least four daily servings of foods rich in potassium (beans, spinach, melon, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, avocados). Decreasing sodium intake alone has reduced blood pressure by 8.4 mm/Hg systolic and 4.4 mm/Hg diastolic. Moreover, alcohol intake should be reduced to less than two drinks per day. Research has shown that a shift from five to two drinks daily can decrease blood pressure by 8 mm/Hg systolic and 4.4 mm/Hg diastolic.

A structured exercise program is another important factor. In one study, an average weight reduction of 4.5 kg by individuals who were 10 to 65 per cent overweight led to a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure after just six months. In addition, stopping smoking is a must for anyone diagnosed with hypertension.

Stress Management and Sleep

Those with high blood pressure need to employ stress management and relaxation techniques. This concept was investigated by Dr. D. Shapiro and associates from the department of psychiatry and bio behavioural sciences at the University Of California Los Angeles School Of Medicine. Individuals with a mild to moderate increase in blood pressure were given blood pressure-lowering medications and then divided at random into two groups. One group performed simple stress management techniques, while the other did not. Remarkably, 55 percent of those who employed stress-reducing strategies were able to remain medication free, compared to only 30 percent in the control group, as found after a one-year follow-up examination.

A good night’s sleep is also important. Researchers from the University of Pavia in Italy found that high blood pressure patients deprived of sleep had significant increases in blood pressures and heart rates, especially during the evening.

CoQ10, Magnesium and Fish Oil

Several supplements have proven to be of great value in the fight against hypertension. One is coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), or ubiquinone. One study of 18 patients with high blood pressure concluded that 100 milligrams of CoQ10 daily for 10 weeks lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 10.6 and 7.7 mm/Hg respectively.

In addition to CoQ10, 480 mg of magnesium oxide daily for two months decreased blood pressure on average by 2.5 mm/Hg systolic and 1.4 mm/Hg diastolic over 24 hours in individuals with mild to moderate hypertension. (Those employing magnesium therapy are cautioned that this may lead to episodes of diarrhea.)

Fish oils rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are also helpful adjuncts in the control of blood pressure. Individuals with mild increases in blood pressure were given either two grams of EPA and 1.4 g of DHA from fish oil (approximately 12 1,000-mg capsules of an 18 percent EPA/12 percent DHA mixture) or a placebo every day for four months. After only eight weeks, blood pressure was reduced by 6 mm/Hg systolic and 5 mm/Hg diastolic. Individuals wishing to try this high-dose fish oil approach should also increase vitamin E intake to 800 IU per day.

Garlic and Reishi Mushroom

For those with mild to moderate elevations in blood pressure, garlic and reishi mushroom may be of value. The use of standardized garlic (Allium sativum) supplements at a dose of up to 900 mg per day for 12 to 16 weeks decreases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with moderate elevations in blood pressure. In fact, one study concluded that garlic supplements decreased standing diastolic pressure from 101 to 90 mm/Hg and systolic pressure from 171 to 150 mm/Hg after 12 weeks.

Unlike garlic, the use of reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum or Ling zhi in Chinese) in the treatment of hypertension is not well recognized. However, the conclusions of a recent trial suggest that it may be another helpful, natural, blood pressure-lowering agent. Fifty-five individuals on anti-hypertensive medications with moderate increases in blood pressure were given either 55 mg of concentrated reishi mushroom extract or a placebo, three times a day for one month. Unlike the 14 individuals in the placebo group, those taking the concentrated mushroom extract had a significant reduction in blood pressure.

In conclusion, high blood pressure is a serious problem that affects one in four adults. It is important that individuals afflicted with this problem adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes quitting smoking, reducing stress, eating better, losing weight and increasing exercise. These changes, along with the judicious use of supplements and herbal therapies, can help combat this silent killer.

Alistrol Natural Supplement

Alistrol is a patented, proprietary blend of natural ingredients that have been used for centuries to help support healthy blood pressure. Use Alistrol everyday to help maintain healthy circulation and support cardio-vascular health. Time-tested for safety, the herbal extracts in Alistrol have no known side effects.

Studies confirm this unique blend of natural ingredients support healthy heart function. Helps maintain healthy arteries, helps support blood flow and central and peripheral vascular circulation. Furthermore, Alistrol helps maintain blood flow to the heart and supports healthy blood pressure in the pulmonary artery and all arteries in general.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is simply the pressure of blood against the walls of the main arteries. Two readings, systolic (when the heart is contracting) and diastolic (when the heart is relaxing), are measured by a device that records pressure changes in millimetres of mercury (mm/Hg). Various factors–age, stress, diet, exercise–will affect the readings. The following chart shows a continuum of blood pressure values including both healthy and unhealthy states.

Blood pressure

Systolic

Diastolic

Ideal

Less than 120 mm/Hg

Less than 80 mm/Hg

Mild hypertension

140 to 159 mm/Hg

90 to 99 mm/Hg

Moderate hypertension

160 to 179 mm/Hg

100 to 109 mm/Hg

Severe hypertension

More than 180 mm/Hg

More than 110 mm/Hg



Brandon

KMP asked:


I really don’t want to go on medication and am on a pretty good diet. I have no idea why my blood pressure is high, but would like to try suplimentation rather than prescription drugs. I am thinking I may be deficient in something.

Andre

Stephen Stewart asked:


It would appear that the way we look at and treat high blood pressure is about to change and one of the ways that these changes are going to come about are as a result of a simplified approach and procedure for treating high blood pressure.

Now to the layperson these may appear like common sense but you have to remember that we are dealing with a complicated condition and disease and as such we have to consider our treatment options carefully.

According to a study published recently in the Robarts Research Institute in Canada, scientists appear to have developed a simplified and potentially much more effective method of treating high blood pressure.

The project leader, Dr Ross Feldman, a clinical pharmacologist, demonstrated through the study that more patients had their blood pressure lowered and actually to a greater extent when the healthcare practitioners or family doctors involved used a simplified treatment protocol rather than having to choose from the rather large (and growing) number of drugs available to treat the condition.

The other side effect of this particular study was that though the primary focus of the study was purely in relation to hypertension or high blood pressure it would appear from the initial results of this study that it could cause a massive change in the way healthcare practitioners and doctors treat a whole series of chronic conditions and diseases.

The trial, otherwise know as the Simplified Treatment Intervention To Control Hypertension (STITCH) trial was a programme that analyzed the results of the treatment of both the 2100 patients with high blood pressure spread over 45 family practices in Ontario in Canada.

What is it about high blood pressure that makes it a problem and when ignored so lethal?

Only in approximately 1 out of 20 cases will the sufferer be aware of their high blood pressure.

The majority of sufferers of high blood pressure, if undiagnosed go years without being aware of their condition, the so called “Silent Killer”.

If spotted there are a couple of signs that can be attributed to high blood pressure and if these are observed and with out apparent cause then they should not be left untreated.

These symptoms can include the following: Nosebleeds , Fainting Spells, Blurred Vision, Increased frequency of urinating at night.

The above taken together would tend to indicate an occurrence of high blood pressure but a careful diagnosis is needed as they just as easily could indicate associate conditions.

What is the exact definition of high blood pressure?

Using an internal network and system of vessels called arteries, the heart pumps blood and nutrients to the body’s major tissues and organs.

For about ninety percent of sufferers of high blood pressure, there is no single cause to be found and as such this type of high blood pressure is termed “Primary (Essential) High Blood Pressure”.

In the majority of cases where the cause of the high blood pressure can be traced directly to one particular failing organ or cause then it is not uncommon for the associate problems to be treated successfully where this “Secondary High Blood Pressure” is not the direct cause of the associate high blood pressure.

In very rare cases, that is to say less than 10 percent, the high blood pressure diagnosed lies within the category known as “Malignant Hypertension”. This can quite often be discovered by accident or through an associate medical test such as an eye examination whereby an Optician can detect abnormalities through the effect they have on the eye.



Tara

dr rony asked:


Problem of High blood pressure means high pressure in the arteries. Arteries are vessels that  often carry blood from the heart to all the tissues and also  organs of the body. If you have high blood pressure over the years and  it may affect your arteries and put a loading strain on your heart. In other words for  higher the blood pressure, the greater the health risks so oftenly .

High blood pressure is one of other several possible reasons for developing a cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure can be  though controlled by medication and making changes to the lifestyle also .

Regular exercises  those like walking and physical activity or yoga on to  five or more days of the week, for  around at least 30 minutes also helps to get  in leveling blood pressure.

Also try to Reduce excess weight to control your blood pressure . Losing extra weight has other health benefits as well .

You should minimize  the salt intake. The amount of salt that you eat can increase  also your blood pressure.

Potatoes are although  useful in the treatment of high blood pressure. Boil it with the skin  and so that they absorb less salt. Potatoes are  really very rich in potassium.

Mix 200ml orange juice just with 100 ml coconut water. Drink  a half to one cup of this juice twice or thrice  in a day.

Do not eat fry food even fatty food such as fatty meats, cheeses, a  full-cream milk, fried food, butter, etc. If you do fry then  choose a less calorie oil.

Avoid drinking alcohol because  it has a direct effect on the  blood pressure.

Boil 6-7 leaves of olive that  in a cup of water for five minutes, drink it  for thrice a day. It is a good remedy for hypertension.

Grape is also really  useful in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Lemon juice is  other also found to be moderately useful for the treatment for high blood pressure.

Ternalia Arjuna supplements  Benefits for Problem

A Ternalia Arjuna supplement that  helps in maintain healthy heart and  further also helps in relieving mental stress and nervousness. This is also  much decreasing he LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Current scientific researches  also have proved that Arjuna is an Anti-ischemic and a bette rcardio protective agent and can also be effectively used in High blood pressure.

Home Remedies  for  high blood pressure

Consuming garlic is such very effective in decreasing the hypertension and  as it prevents thrombosis and deposition of plaque in the arteries.

Drinking of lime water  around 4 to 5 times a day helps in  the preventing hypertension.

Amla (Indian goose berry) is  such very effective in treating the high blood pressure.

Tarbooz (watermelon) is  also another good remedy for avoiding  the high blood pressure.

Dried seeds of watermelon and  khus-khus (cus-cus grass) are to be taken and  then crushed. It is then consumed  in empty stomach twice every day with water.

Fenugreek seeds are to be taken twice on a daily basis empty stomach is a good remedy  that against hypertension.

Leaves of tulsi and neem that  two in number are to be consumed in  empty stomach to get relieve from the high blood pressure.

Consuming papita (papaya)  in empty stomach for 15 to 20 days helps in the  curing hypertension.



Lloyd

Paul Phillips asked:


High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. For example, currently, over forty-three million Americans suffer from high blood pressure. It has also been said that something like ninety per cent of Americans who haven’t got high blood pressure soon will unless the appropriate lifestyle changes are implemented. ‘These facts and figures generally reflect the rest of the western world.

There are three reasons for high blood pressure:

1.Atherosclerotic plaque; fatty deposits lining the inner walls of the arteries, which obstruct blood flow cause high blood pressure.

2.Acid wastes deposit on the inner walls of blood vessels. Because the vessels become narrower, blood pressure has to increase in order keep the same vital blood supply as before.

3.Because of too much acid waste, high blood pressure is caused by a lack of oxygen supply.

Sadly, the above root-causes are not addressed by orthodox medicine. High blood pressure patients are given drugs like lotensin, mevacor or procardia… These drugs work by inhibiting calcium channels. This weakens the heart. In effect, less blood is then pumped out: Hence the blood pressure gauge reads lower than before. But the weakened heart muscle is less able to give vital blood supply to areas of the body: The target organs get less oxygenated blood than before, so side effects start to kick in such as dizziness, sluggishness, fatigue, impotence, loss of memory, mood changes, and depression…

However, with a real commitment towards a healthier diet and lifestyle, this condition may be reversed. ‘This is where the underlying root-causes of high blood pressure can dealt with.

Here are my Seven Steps For Lowering High Blood Pressure: They have no order. As long as all are implemented then success will be yours.

1.Eliminate or reduce acid causing foods from the diet. Certain foods, when eaten, give rise to an acid ash residue when absorbed into the body. There is much information online that distinguishes these foods.

2.Eat more alkaline ash foods. Information on these types of foods can be found online. Alkaline water is also a good option. ‘These factors alkalise the body.

3.Garlic, onions and beetroot are excellent blood pressure lowering foods, which indeed, can be eaten regularly. Other foods include those containing vitamin C and folic acid.

4.Get plenty of vitamin D. Sunlight is an excellent form and pays dividends…about twenty minutes a day will suffice.

5.Exercise. About half-an-hour a day. This lowers high blood pressure, improves cardiovascular function as well as loses weight.

6.Learn to handle stress. For example, meditation has shown to significantly lower blood pressure.

7.On perhaps a more miscellaneous level, get electro-acupuncture. This has shown to greatly reduce blood pressure. Chelation therapy is also effective.



Sean

allenandlisa2 asked:


I was hit by a forklift at work and i’m suffering from lower back pain. I’ve never had high blood pressure before, and I was wondering if it could be from pain and stress from this injury?

Maria