High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans have high blood pressure, which often causes no noticeable symptoms. Only in severe cases are there outward signs, such as headache, sweating, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, and visual disturbances.
Blood pressure – the force that circulating blood exerts against the walls of arteries – that is too high can cause arteries to narrow, which can lead to arteriosclerosis, heart attack, kidney disease, memory loss, and stroke.
There are two types of pressure: systolic, the top reading and shows peak pressure when the heart contracts to pump blood, and diastolic, the lower number and measures the pressure when the heart is resting between beats. Normal blood pressure for adults is from 110/70 to140/90, with 120/80 generally considered to be the norm. Border line hypertension is 140/95 to 160/95 and severely elevated blood pressure is over 180/115.
Elevation of the diastolic pressure is of greater concern than that of the systolic pressure, with a diastolic blood pressure over 140 is almost always considered to be a medical emergency.
The most common cause of high blood pressure is arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), where the arteries become narrowed and plug up with fatty deposits, which is linked to poor eating habits. A toxic lymphatic system can be a cause as well as a toxic liver when it does not clear out built up estrogen and other toxins. Two other factors contribute too many cases of primary high blood pressure. First, excessive blood levels of the hormone insulin stimulate the arterial walls to contract and cause the kidneys to retain sodium. Both actions increase pressure. Second, sodium is found in salt, and how strongly the kidneys react to sodium is determined by a person’s salt sensitivity.
A lack of exercise and increased stress, anger and anxiety play a part in causing high blood pressure. Doctors are not sure exactly what causes primary high blood pressure. There may be a genetic component, since it seems to run in families. But there may also be a lifestyle component, as high blood pressure has been linked to diet, smoking, alcohol use, excessive caffeine and salt intake. Certain medications, such as birth control pills, can elevate blood pressure, as can pregnancy.
We all know that doctors urge us to loss weight, exercise, cut salt consumption, saturated fats, meats and refined products and replace it with fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and fiber from whole grains. If these don’t work, doctors prescribe various drugs to lower blood pressure. Clinical researchers have found that herbal treatments lower blood pressure within a few days’ use just as prescription drugs do, but the amount of the change may be slightly less. For this reason, herbal therapies are best for “borderline” cases.
Herbs and supplements to help with hypertension include garlic (lowers blood pressure), hawthorn (strengthens the veins, lowers both blood pressure and cholesterol levels), Hops (relaxes veins and nerves), passionflower (nerve relaxant), parsley (natural diuretic), pau d’ arco (blood cleanser), Skullcap (calms the nerves), olive leaf (dilates coronary blood vessels, regulates heartbeat), Dong Quai (prolongs resting period between heartbeats and lowers blood pressure), Lecithin (breaks up cholesterol), Vitamin C (improves blood vessels and capillaries, works as antioxidants), CO Q 10 ( supplies oxygen to cells and prevents free radical damage to the veins and arteries), Raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds are rich in zinc and other minerals that help to counteract heavy metals in the blood. Increase potassium intake, since potassium counteracts sodium’s pressure-raising effects. Vitamins A, C, E, selenium and zinc are powerful antioxidants to prevent damage to the cells and plaque build up on the veins. Herbal combination supplements (a blend of herbs) for High Blood pressure, Arteriosclerosis, High Cholesterol Helper, Spring Cleaning Detox, Heart Helper can help with lowering high blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure at home daily gives immediate feedback on how well diet, exercise, herbs and medications are working.
