High blood pressure Info

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High blood pressure (Hypertension)

Defined as the force the blood exerts on arteries and veins as it circulates through the body, blood pressure is controlled by a complex regulatory system involving the heart, blood vessels, brain, kidneys, and adrenal glands. It's normal for blood pressure to fluctuate often-even minute to minute. In some people, however, blood pressure remains chronically high, a condition known medically as hypertension.

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers. Systolic pressure (the top number in a reading) denotes when the heart contracts and forces blood through the arteries; diastolic pressure (the bottom number) reflects when the heart relaxes. Normal blood pressure is 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic) or lower. Hypertension is defined as blood pressure averaging 140/90 or higher in at least two separate measurements.

In 90% of people with hypertension, the cause isn't known; this type is called essential hypertension. However, risk factors include smoking, obesity, gender (men are twice as likely to suffer hypertension as women), a high-sodium diet, and a family history. In addition, blacks are more prone to hypertension-and suffer greater consequences from it-than whites.

Supplements and herbs

If you have mild hypertension (140 to 159 systolic and 90 to 99 diastolic), start making lifestyle changes and take calcium and magnesium. If your blood pressure is higher, see your doctor before using supplements.

In some studies, calcium has been shown to lower blood pressure; it is also involved in muscle contraction, so it's good for the heart and blood vessels. Magnesium relaxes the muscles that control blood vessels, permitting blood to flow more freely. It also helps to maintain a balance between potassium and sodium in the blood, which has a positive effect on blood pressure. The mineral potassium is also effective in reducing blood pressure. But potassium supplements are almost never necessary; eating more fruits and vegetables is sufficient for most people.

If your blood pressure does not decline after a month, stop taking calcium and magnesium (stick with lifestyle changes) and begin vitamin C and hawthorn. Both widen blood vessels; hawthorn helps moderate the heart rate as well. Alternatively, try coenzyme Q10; more than a third of people with high blood pressure are thought to have an inadequate supply of this substance. To these, add essential fatty acids in the form of flaxseed oil and fish oils to foster good circulation. Amino acids may also help: Taurine is believed to normalize the increased nervous system activity associated with high blood pressure, and arginine appears to widen blood vessels. Use them together along with a mixed amino acid complex to be sure you are getting the proper balance.

More useful herbs

Baical Skullcap, Black Cohosh, Borage, Celery. Chinese Angelica, Chrysanthemum. Coleus, Common Thistle, Corn, Crampbark, Dandelion, Epimedium. Garlic, Ginger. Ginkgo, Gotu Kola. Indian Snakeroot. Lesser Periwinkle. Linden. Lycium. Morinda. Motherwort. Mulberry. Oats, Onion, Passion Flower, Rehmannia. Reishi. Self-Heal, Shiitake, Skullcap. Valerian, Yarrow. Yellow Jessamine.

 

Homeopathy

One dose daily of a chosen remedy can be taken for one month, monitoring results. As with all homeopathic treatment, if the remedy seems to be working, or causes a strong reaction, do not repeat the dose until the body requires it again. One dose can sometimes last days or weeks.

• Aurum

Hypertension, arteriosclerosis, weak valves. Surges of blood to the chest. Violent headache, intense pains at night. Menopause, uterine disease. Palpitations: heart seems to stop beating, then starts again. Angina. Depression, hopelessness, suicidal despair. After severe loss or failure. Worse: cold, winter, sunset to sunrise, alcohol. Better: warmth, rest.

• Belladonna

Acute hypertensive symptoms: flushed face, dilated pupils, great heat. Pounding headache, throbbing blood vessels. Effects of rage and anger. Worse: 3 p.m., at menopause, pregnancy, motion, heat of sun, jarring.

• Lachesis

Hypertension. Flushes of heat. Irregular heart; fears it will stop at night. Constriction in throat, abdomen, head. Trembling everywhere. Bruising. Jealousy, suspicion, talkative, vivacious. Suffocating during sleep. Worse: before menses, after sleep, heat. Better: when menses begins.

What else you can do

• Lose weight. Even a few extra pounds can raise blood pressure.

• Walk or do some other form of aerobic exercise regularly.

• Eat 10 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, choose low-fat dairy products; reduce fat and salt intake. A new study found such a diet may be an alternative to prescription drugs for mild hypertension.

How much to take

Calcium / Magnesium

1,000 mg calcium and 500 mg magnesium a day.

Do not use magnesium if you have kidney disease.

Vitamin C

1,000 mg 3 times a day.

Reduce dose if diarrhea develops.

CoenzymeQIO

50 mg twice a day.

For best absorption, take with food.

Essential fatty acids

1 tbsp (14 grams) flaxseed oil a day; 1,000 mg fish oils 3 times a day.

Take fish oils if you don't eat fish at least twice a week.

Hawthorn

100 -150 mg 3 times a day.

Standardized to contain at least 1.8% vitexin.

Taurine

500 mg L-taurine twice a day on an empty stomach.

If using longer than 1 month, add mixed amino acids.

Arginine

1,000 mg L-arginine twice a day on an empty stomach.

Don't take if you have kidney disease or genital herpes, or are prone to cold sores. Take

with a mixed amino acid complex.