Hypertension

Description

An abnormally high blood pressure (where the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high) Hypertension is usually defined as blood pressure above 140/90, and severe hypertension is blood pressure above 180/120. There are two types of hypertension: primary (essential or idiopathic) and secondary hypertension. Hypertension can decrease lifespan by 10-20 years, If severe hypertension is not treated death may occur due to kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, or cerebral hemorrhage.

Symptoms

Hypertension may cause no symptoms until complications develop, these may include:
1. Headache (worse in the morning and better as the day goes on),
2. Dizziness,
3. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
4. Nose bleeds (epistaxis)
5. Heart palpitations
6. Visual disturbances
7. Shortness of breath.

Treatments

Conventional treatment of primary hypertension consists of lifestyle and dietary changes and the control of risk factors:

1. Weight management needs to be observed in overweight patients. It is extremely important that appropriate weight is maintained, depending on age and height through diet and exercise.

2. A Regular physical exercise program is an essential part of hypertension treatment. This can be done gradually and worked up to at least a 30-minute session 4 times a week.

3. Stress management. While totally eliminating all stressful situations (such as a busy schedule or a stressful relationship) may be difficult it may be possible to learn to cope better with the stress by means of physical exercise, relaxation exercises such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, and deep breathing

4. Cholesterol-lowering (due to atherosclerosis risk).

5. Dietary changes where a low salt, low saturated fat eating plan is followed

6. Supplements and medications

7. Avoid smoking

Nutrients and supplements:
1. Hypertension formula – For high blood pressure
2. Pressure-eeze forte – For high blood pressure
3. Magnesium – deficiencies have been linked to hypertension
4. Potassium – deficiencies have been linked to hypertension
5. Buffered Vit C – assists with most forms of cardiovascular disease and reduces blood clotting
6. Vitamin B complex – is important for lowering blood pressure and circulatory function
7. Vitamin B6 – helps to reduce water content in the tissue thereby relieving pressure on the cardiovascular system.
8. Vitamin E – improves heart function and acts as a blood thinning agent
9. Selenium – a deficiency of selenium has been linked to heart disease

Causes

1. Hereditary factors such as narrowing of the aorta
2. Stress
3. Smoking (Smoking has been linked to increasing the desire for sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. Smoking also reduces levels of vitamin C in the body).
4. Obesity
5. Poor diet
6. The overconsumption of caffeine and alcohol (Alcohol causes overstimulation of adrenalin secretion. It is also high in sodium).
7. Secondary hypertension can be caused by poor kidney function resulting in fluid retention and thereby elevating blood pressure levels.
8. Atherosclerosis may cause narrowing and hardening of the arteries making circulation much more difficult

Underlying Emotions

Unresolved emotional issues and suppressed anger

Diet

1. A high-fiber diet is indicated. Add the following daily:
a. Fresh vegetables – 1 cup per day.
b. Fruits – 1 piece per day.
c. Whole Grains such as brown rice and oatmeal –1 cup per day.
d. Oat bran – 1 to 2 tablespoons per day.
(Fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium, which helps in lowering blood pressure).

2. Increase omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids: vegetable, nut, and seed oils, walnuts, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, and black currant oil.

3. Fluids – Drink at least 8 glasses of filtered water daily.

4. Avoid the following:
a. salt and salty foods: pickles, olives, crisps, packaged snacks, meat, (especially ham), frankfurters, bacon, corned beef, lunch meats, frozen fish fillets, sardines, herring, caviar, anchovies, shellfish, dairy products, spicy foods: salsa, white and black pepper, mustard, ginger, canned tomato juice, processed cheese, canned, dried or instant soups, frozen peas and beans, most processed and refined foods, mayonnaise, salad dressings, gravies, and tomato sauce.
b. Sodium benzoate as a preservative and Sodium propionate should also be avoided.
c. Alcohol: a genetic hypersensitivity to alcohol can cause an increase in blood pressure.
d. Caffeine.
e. Trans-fatty acids and hydrogenated oils.

Remedies