High
Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
|
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High blood
pressure is known as the silent killer. Why? Because most people don't
get any signs or symptoms from having this deadly condition until the
damage is done. |
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Introduction
It's
easy to find out if you suffer from hypertension. Get your blood
pressure measured. Most pharmacies have a blood pressure monitor
station you can use. Average the results over several days (or even
weeks) and discuss the results with your family doctor to see if
treatment is required based on your health condition and family history.There is no excuse for not known your average blood pressure reading. Heck, it is the easiest measurement you can get about the health of your body. You don't need to get poked with a needle!
Frequently Asked Questions & Facts
What is hypertension?
Why is hypertension harmful and dangerous to your health?
What are some causes of high blood pressure?
What are the readings and numbers for blood pressure?
What are some physical signs and symptoms of hypertension?
What are some risk factors for developing hypertension?
Are there any eye symptoms?
Can you control hypertension by a diet change?
Can seeing a doctor cause hypertension? Is that possible?
Can hypertension cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Why is hypertension harmful and dangerous to your health?
What are some causes of high blood pressure?
What are the readings and numbers for blood pressure?
What are some physical signs and symptoms of hypertension?
What are some risk factors for developing hypertension?
Are there any eye symptoms?
Can you control hypertension by a diet change?
Can seeing a doctor cause hypertension? Is that possible?
Can hypertension cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Natural Herbal Remedies for High Blood Pressure
| Natural Remedy | What experts say about them |
| Coenzyme
Q10 |
 (What's this?)Taking Coenzyme Q10 is shown to lower blood pressure. This antioxidant also shows benefits for those suffering from heart disease or high cholesterol. Dosage: Start with 100 mg once daily and increase to 100 mg twice daily if needed. |
| Fish
Oil (Omega-3 fatty acids) |
In addition to lowering high blood pressure, fish oil is highly recommended for those suffering from high cholesterol and heart disease. We consider it a Must-take supplement. Dosage: Take 2 grams daily to start. Increase it to 4 grams daily as needed. |
| Garlic | Garlic is also a Must-take supplement similar to fish oil. Clinical studies show that garlic can lower blood pressure up to 7%. Dosage: Take 200 mg three times daily. |
| Olive Oil | Clinical studies show that a diet high in extra virgin olive oil can significantly lower high blood pressure. In some situations, individuals can reduce or even stop their prescription blood pressure medications. Consider increasing the use of extra virgin olive oil in your diet. Olive oil used extensively in the Mediterranean diet shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Dosage: Take 30 to 40 grams daily as part of your diet. |
| Hawthorn |  Dosage: Take 160 mg up to 1,800 mg daily (divide the dose to be taken three times daily). |
| Stevia | Stevia is best known as the natural sweetener. It is used as a zero-calorie replacement for sugar or artificial sweeteners. Note that the dose used as a sweetener is much lower than what is needed to lower blood pressure. Dosage: Take 250 to 500 mg three times daily. |
| Hibiscus | Hibiscus is shown to lower blood pressure in well-designed clinical study done in Mexico by lead researcher Herrera-Arellano. The study used an extract of hibiscus containing 250 mg of total anthocyanins daily. Dosage: Make a decoction by placing 1.5 grams of the flower in 100 mL of water for 10 minutes. Drink once daily before breakfast. Or take a supplement containing 250 mg of anthocyanins daily. |
| Taurine |  Dosage: Take 2 to 4 grams daily. |
| Arginine | Dosage: Take 2 grams three times daily |
| Apple Cider Vinegar |  Studies done on rats show that taking apple cider vinegar lowered the blood pressure. |
Vitamins & Minerals for High Blood Pressure
| Natural Remedy | What experts say about them |
| Calcium and Magnesium |
(What's this?) Calcium and magnesium are used by your muscles to allow it to contract and relax properly. Studies show taking these two minerals modestly lowered blood pressure. As well, these minerals are needed to build bone strength. Dosage: Take 600 mg of magnesium daily up to twice daily if needed. Also take up to 1,500 mg of calcium daily. |
| Vitamin C | Studies show that taking vitamin C can reduce blood pressure. It is an antioxidant that can protect your body's cell against oxidative damage as well. Dosage: Take 500 mg once or twice daily. |
| Potassium |
Many studies show that taking high doses of potassium (2,400 mg daily) can lower blood pressure. This is very high dose that should only be taken under the supervision of your family doctor. Dosage: Consult your doctor for a proper dosage as most potassium supplements only contain 100 mg. The high dose needed to lower blood pressure can cause significant side effects. Vegetables and fruits contain significant amounts of potassium and is a great source. |
| Vitamin D | Population studies seem to show that a lower level of vitamin D is linked to a higher risk of high blood pressure. Since vitamin D serves many functions in our body, it would be wise to take this. Dose: Take 400 to 1,000 IU daily. |
| Vitamin E | There is evidence that vitamin E can lower blood pressure. This is shown to be somewhat effective in treating high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia). This study looked at the combination of vitamin E and vitamin C. Dosage: Take 400 IU daily. |
Frequently Asked Questions & Facts
What is hypertension or high blood pressure?
In
order for blood to circulate around your body, your heart pumps to put
a pressure on the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. The
blood pressure is a force that is regulated by your brain,
heart,
the major
blood vessels and hormones.
Your blood pressure changes with your body's position, activity and even what you are thinking at the time. For example, during exercise, physical activities, stress, or when you are scared, your blood pressure can go up quite a bit. The real danger is when your blood pressure is constantly high even when you are at rest or sleeping.
Your blood pressure changes with your body's position, activity and even what you are thinking at the time. For example, during exercise, physical activities, stress, or when you are scared, your blood pressure can go up quite a bit. The real danger is when your blood pressure is constantly high even when you are at rest or sleeping.
Why is hypertension harmful and dangerous to your health?
High blood
pressure puts a lot of stress on your heart, blood vessels and organs
such as
the brain and kidneys. Over years to decades, hypertension greatly
speeds up
hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), increases the risk of
stroke
(bleeding in the brain), enlarges heart (leading to heart
failure)
and kidney failure.
What are some causes of high blood pressure?
In
about 90% of the people suffering from high blood pressure, there is no
cause
that can be found. This is called essential, idiopathic or primary
hypertension. Somehow, the body thinks this "resting" blood pressure is
acceptable.
For the remaining 10% of people, causes can be related to kidney disease, heart disease, adrenal gland problems, prescription drug use, illicit drug use, smoking, stress, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, sleep apnea, diabetes, high cholesterol and a diet high in sodium or alcohol.
For the remaining 10% of people, causes can be related to kidney disease, heart disease, adrenal gland problems, prescription drug use, illicit drug use, smoking, stress, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, sleep apnea, diabetes, high cholesterol and a diet high in sodium or alcohol.
What are the readings and numbers for blood pressure?
Blood pressure
is expressed as two numbers such as 120/80. It is pronounced as "one
hundred and twenty over eighty".
The first number represents the systolic blood pressure and is the pressure generated when the heart contracts. The second number is the diastolic number, representing the blood pressure in the system when the heart is in the relaxed state, between heart beats. The unit used to measure blood pressure is mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). Notice that even when the heart is in the relaxed state, there is still blood pressure in the system (which is essential for keeping the blood flowing).
Experts believe that 140/90 is the "borderline" limits. Values higher than 140/90 may require treatment.
Many other health factors such as family history, prior history of heart disease, diabetes, etc... will affect the doctor's decision in choosing the treatment. Your family doctor can discuss the readings with you after a thorough interview and physical evaluation.
The first number represents the systolic blood pressure and is the pressure generated when the heart contracts. The second number is the diastolic number, representing the blood pressure in the system when the heart is in the relaxed state, between heart beats. The unit used to measure blood pressure is mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). Notice that even when the heart is in the relaxed state, there is still blood pressure in the system (which is essential for keeping the blood flowing).
Experts believe that 140/90 is the "borderline" limits. Values higher than 140/90 may require treatment.
Many other health factors such as family history, prior history of heart disease, diabetes, etc... will affect the doctor's decision in choosing the treatment. Your family doctor can discuss the readings with you after a thorough interview and physical evaluation.
What are some physical signs and symptoms of hypertension?
The majority
of people with high blood pressure do not experience any symptoms.
Hence, it
is known as the "silent killer".
However, some people do get the following signs and symptoms:
However, some people do get the following signs and symptoms:
- minor unexplained headaches
- flushed cheeks
- unexplained nosebleeds
- vision problems
- dizziness
- sweating
Do
not rely on getting these symptoms as signs of high blood
pressure. Get your
blood pressure checked by your doctor regularly or do it yourself with
our own home blood pressure monitor.
What are some risk factors for developing hypertension?
Some of the risk factors for the development of hypertension include:-
Age - Men over the age of 35 can develop this condition. Women tend to develop this after menopause.
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Diet - A diet high in saturate fats and salts can increase blood pressure.
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Family history
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Illicit drug use - Illegal drugs like amphetamines and cocaine increase blood pressure.
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Smoking - Nicotine in smoke elevates blood pressure.
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Over weight - Those who are obese are more likely to suffer from hypertension.
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Lack of exercise
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Prescription medication use - Birth control pills and decongestants found in cough and cold medications may increase blood pressure.
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Race/Ethnicity - The Blacks are more likely to suffer from hypertension.
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Other existing health conditions - Diabetes, insomnia (leading to lack of sleep), kidney disease, high cholesterol and heart disease.
Are there any eye symptoms if you have high blood pressure?
A
small percent of people may experience eye pressure behind the eyes
when they have high blood pressure. They may also experience blurred
vision or visual disturbances.
Can you control hypertension by a diet change?
Absolutely
yes. Controlling
and reducing hypertension by diet is the first step to take before
considering the use of any herbal remedy.
Reducing salt intake from diet is the first recommendation any healthcare professional would suggest. There is a very strong relationship between dietary salt intake and blood pressure. The well-designed DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) trial proves this.
Eat more vegetables and fruits and reduce meat in your diet. This is shown to reduce blood pressure. This is believed to be due to the potassium contents found in vegetables. As well, vegetables contain lots of fiber which will reduce high cholesterol as well.
Also consider cutting back on caffeine use if you drink caffeinated soda, coffee or tea. Blood pressure goes up after drinking caffeinated beverages. (However, not all studies show that caffeine increases blood pressure. Some study show that it made no difference at all.)
Reducing salt intake from diet is the first recommendation any healthcare professional would suggest. There is a very strong relationship between dietary salt intake and blood pressure. The well-designed DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) trial proves this.
Eat more vegetables and fruits and reduce meat in your diet. This is shown to reduce blood pressure. This is believed to be due to the potassium contents found in vegetables. As well, vegetables contain lots of fiber which will reduce high cholesterol as well.
Also consider cutting back on caffeine use if you drink caffeinated soda, coffee or tea. Blood pressure goes up after drinking caffeinated beverages. (However, not all studies show that caffeine increases blood pressure. Some study show that it made no difference at all.)
I've heard that seeing a doctor can cause hypertension? Is that true?
Yes, it is
true. Some people call this the "white
lab coat"
effect. For some people seeing the doctor can cause stress either
consciously or unconsciously. Doctors know of this effect. To avoid
this problem, buy a home blood pressure monitor from your pharmacy and
average your readings throughout the days or even over several days.
Take this record to your doctor for an evaluation and discussion.
On a personal note. My long-time family doctor is over an hour and a half away. I have to fight traffic, cross a bridge, look for metered parking downtown, wait up to an hour and a half for him, pray that my parking meter doesn't run out of time and then drive home again. What do you think? (I really have to find a good doctor locally...)
On a personal note. My long-time family doctor is over an hour and a half away. I have to fight traffic, cross a bridge, look for metered parking downtown, wait up to an hour and a half for him, pray that my parking meter doesn't run out of time and then drive home again. What do you think? (I really have to find a good doctor locally...)
Can hypertension cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Yes
indeed, but this doesn't happen immediately and happens over years to
decades. Since hypertension speeds up
atherosclerosis, it can permanently reduce blood flow to the penis.
Blood flow to
the penis (along with other factors) is essential for creating
and
maintaining an erection.
Suffering from long-term uncontrolled high blood pressure can eventually lead to permanent impotence.
Suffering from long-term uncontrolled high blood pressure can eventually lead to permanent impotence.
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