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We discuss natural ways to treat hypertension.
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Power Rx, MulitiVit Rx, and Passion Rx.
Hypertension refers to a condition of elevated blood pressure. It has been called "the silent killer" because it usually doesn't cause symptoms for many years -- until a vital organ is damaged. The number of Americans who have high blood pressure is estimated to be more than 50 million. More Americans than ever have hypertension and the number has risen by nearly a third over the past decade. Being heavy goes hand-in-hand with having hypertension, especially for women. There are many effective drugs that treat hypertension, however, it is also a good idea to keep in mind that natural options are also available that could reduce blood pressure.
Natural
Hypertension treatment - Hypertension Diet
Eat more fruits and
vegetables -- preferably fresh and organic. Fruits and vegetables
have numerous compounds that can dilate blood vessels, including
Flavonoids. Fortunately
for many chocoholics,
cocoa, or dark chocolate, has important flavonoids.
Eat more garlic since
garlic may reduce hypertension.
Reduce salt intake
Try to shed some pounds --
Greater amounts of fat in the abdomen point to an
increased risk of developing hypertension. For suggestions, see
Weight loss.
Learn how to Sleep better
and deeper. Those who sleep deep have a lower risk for hypertension.
Reduce alcohol intake. High amounts of alcohol can certainly aggravate
hypertension. Despite its heart benefits, drinking red wine raises blood
pressure to the same degree as drinking beer.
Reduce or stop smoking
Try to have less stress in your daily life
Reduce fat intake, such as meats, lard, bacon, hydrogenated oils -- fats found
in fish are good.
Reduce caffeine-intake -- skip that second cup of coffee, substitute caffeine-free
herbal drinks, limit herbal teas with caffeine to one or two cups. Caffeine can
raise blood pressure in some individuals, even if they are regular drinkers.
Exercise, walk at least one mile per day
Drink more water, avoid sodas which raise blood pressure
Drink soy milk and reduce intake of regular milk (see study bottom of page)
Yoga helps those with hypertension
Supplements for Hypertension
I will update this page as more information becomes
available. If you have hypertension, please discuss with your physician before changing your medicines or
adding supplements, especially if you have unstable hypertension.
Fish Oils
are useful for thinning the blood and improving circulation and it is now known
that those whose diets are high in fish oils have a lower risk for hypertension.
It would make sense that supplementing with one to five fish oil capsules a day
could perhaps lower the risk for hypertension, but we need more studies to
confirm early findings. You can find high quality
Fish Oil here.
Antioxidants
may be helpful for long term health maintenance of arteries, but not necessarily
to lower blood pressure in the short term. Doses can be kept low, such as
vitamin C less than 300 mg a day, and natural vitamin E less than 200 units a few days a
week. Take a natural vitamin
E complex, rather than the synthetic dl-tocopherol.
Lipoic acid is
a powerful antioxidant in dosage of 10 to 50 mg.
Grape seed extract was
shown to reduce hypertension in a study published in March of 2006.
Quercetin is known as a
very strong blood vessel dilator. Chronic oral quercetin exerts antihypertensive
effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Genistein is a type of
flavonoid found mostly in soy. Genistein helps produce more nitric oxide, a
powerful chemical in the blood stream that helps dilate blood vessels. Genistein
is available as a supplement.
Soy protein supplements
are also helpful.
B vitamin and coenzyme complex — B6, folate, and
B12 are crucial for the health of arteries and to lower homocysteine, an amino
acid-like compound in the blood stream that can be toxic in high doses.
CoQ10 could be helpful in
dosages of 20 to 50 mg. The study is discussed below. High CoQ10 dosages could
lead to shallow sleep which is not helpful since deep sleep reduces hypertension
risk.
Lycopene supplements
lowered blood pressure in one study, but if you eat plenty of tomatoes and other
foods with lycopene, a supplement is not necessary.
Green tea and oolong tea
drinkers are less likely to develop hypertension than non tea drinkers. It would
be better to drink tea in the morning since the small amounts of caffeine can
interfere with sleep if you drink tea later in the day. It would be best to
limit tea intake to one or two cups unless there is no caffeine in the herbal
tea you are consuming. Another option is to take green tea extracts with
breakfast or lunch.
Calcium and
Magnesium are important
minerals helpful in
supporting healthy blood pressure
Hawthorn extract may be
helpful, see study below
Vitamin D is a supplement
that can be taken from 200 to 600 units a day.
Melatonin once or twice a week at night
for better sleep
Ginkgo low dose, not more
than 40 mg, in the morning
Potassium - Potassium citrate has similar hypertension lowering effects as
the best-studied potassium compound, potassium chloride.
Dark, but not white, chocolate has
polyphenols that may
lower hypertension.
Arjuna is an Ayurvedic herb
that has promising effects in blood vessel dilation.
Low dose baby aspirin - be careful since a dose more than 100 mg a day can
increase the risk for bleeding and stomach ulcer.
Apocynum venetum is an
herb used in China for hypertension treatment.
Products formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter at Physician Formulas. Twice a month we email you a brief abstract of several new studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics, including natural hypertension treatment, and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Benefits in reducing Hypertension
By reducing hypertension, you also reduce your risk
for stroke,
heart disease, aortic aneurysm, and kidney disease,
along with an eye disorder
called retinopathy,.
Medicines and Hypertension
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, decongestants, steroids, estrogen and oral
contraceptives, cyclosporine are medications that can make hypertension worse. Those who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs)--such as ibuprofin (Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) at least 22 days per month
appear to be much more likely than others to develop hypertension. This
is also true for acetaminophen. Taking aspirin before bedtime--but not at other times of
the day--may lower blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension as well as in
pregnant women at risk for a dangerous blood pressure-related complication.
If you have hypertension, a physician should make sure you don't have the
following:
Primary hyperaldosteronism and Cushing’s syndrome. Hyperthyroidism or
hypothyroidism. Sleep apnea.
Most people who have hypertension do not have any symptoms.
Complications of hypertension
Cardiovascular disease is a major problem with hypertension.
Hypertension could lead to left ventricular hypertrophy which could result in congestive heart failure, arrhythmias and myocardial infarction.
Other complications of hypertension include stroke and kidney
disease.
What the numbers mean
When blood pressure is checked, two values are recorded. The higher one occurs when the
heart contracts (systole); the lower occurs when the heart relaxes between beats
(diastole). Blood pressure is written as the systolic pressure followed by a slash
followed by the diastolic pressure--for example, 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).
This reading would be referred to as "one-twenty over eighty."
Hypertension is defined as a systolic pressure at rest that averages 140 mm Hg or more, a diastolic pressure at rest that averages 90 mm Hg or more, or both. In high blood pressure, usually both the systolic and the diastolic pressures are elevated. In isolated systolic hypertension, the systolic pressure is 140 mm Hg or more, but the diastolic pressure is less than 90 mm Hg--that is, the diastolic pressure is in the normal range. Isolated systolic hypertension is increasingly common with advancing age. In almost everyone, blood pressure increases with age, with systolic pressure increasing until at least age 80 and diastolic pressure increasing until age 55 to 60, then leveling off or even falling.
Hypertension
symptom
Most people with mild to moderate hypertension will not have symptoms.
Symptoms of extreme hypertension include headache, nosebleed, fatigue, chest
pain.
Hypertension
medication - Hypertension treatment
A number of medications are used for hypertension, including diuretics,
beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, etc. Are natural
treatments for hypertension worth a try?
Cause of
Hypertension
Smoking, obesity, poor diet, lack of adequate fresh fruits and
vegetables, lack of cold water fish, lack of exercise, poor sleep, genetics,
stress, insomnia.
Hypertension
symptom
Most people with mild to moderate high blood pressure will not have a
hypertension symptom. Symptoms of severe hypertension include headache, nosebleed,
fatigue, chest pain. Therefore, in mild to moderate cases of hypertension
and no symptom, the condition becomes serious since many years can go on without
adequate treatment. In the meantime, there could be damage to the eyes, kidneys,
and other organs. If you are overweight, are over the age of 45, have a poor
diet, under a lot of stress, etc, and even if you don't have a symptom of
hypertension that you know of, do see a doctor every 2 to 3 years to make sure
your blood pressure readings are within the normal range.
Hypertension
and Longevity
Hypertension can take years off both life expectancy and time lived free
of disease. Research, based on data from a long-running U.S. heart-health study,
found that the impact of hypertension on life expectancy may be more significant
than previously estimated. Researchers found that hypertension at the age of 50
shaved about 5 years off men's and women's lives. It also caused them to endure
7 more years with cardiovascular disease compared with their peers who had
normal blood pressure in middle-age. It's well known that hypertension raises
the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney failure, but only a few studies
have looked at how hypertension affects longevity.
Prehypertension
information
Individuals with " pre hypertension ," blood pressure readings on the
high end of normal, have an increased risk of having a major cardiovascular
event. In May 2003, the Joint National Commission on High Blood Pressure
introduced prehypertension as a new risk category. The condition was defined as
having a systolic blood pressure - the top number -- between 120 and 139 mm Hg
or a diastolic pressure - the bottom number -- between 80 and 90 mm Hg.
Hypertension
and Sleep
Skimping on sleep over a prolonged period appears to be an important risk
factor for developing high blood pressure, according to a report in the medical
journal Hypertension. People who sleep for only short durations raise their
average 24-hour blood pressure and heart rate. This leads the cardiovascular
system to operate at an elevated pressure. Previous reports have linked sleep
disorders with cardiovascular disease, and new research confirms that shallow or
insufficient sleep leads to hypertension.
Hypertension Research Update
Short-term administration of dark
chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a
decrease in blood pressure in healthy persons.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Mar;81(3):611-4.
Numerous studies indicate that flavanols may exert significant vascular
protection because of their antioxidant properties and increased nitric oxide
bioavailability. In turn, nitric oxide bioavailability deeply influences
insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and vascular tone. Thus, flavanols may also
exert positive metabolic and pressor effects. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to
compare the effects of either dark or white chocolate bars on blood pressure and
glucose and insulin responses to an oral-glucose-tolerance test in healthy
subjects. DESIGN: After a 7-d cocoa-free run-in phase, 15 healthy subjects were
randomly assigned to receive for 15 d either 100 g dark chocolate bars, which
contained approximately 500 mg polyphenols, or 90 g white chocolate bars, which
presumably contained no polyphenols. Successively, subjects entered a further
cocoa-free washout phase of 7 d and then were crossed over to the other
condition. RESULTS: Although within normal values, systolic blood pressure was
lower after dark than after white chocolate ingestion (107.5 +/- 8.6 compared
with 113.9 +/- 8.4 mm Hg; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dark, but not white, chocolate
decreases blood pressure and improves insulin sensitivity in healthy persons.
Eating dark chocolate may help lower blood pressure, boost normal responses to insulin to keep blood sugar levels down, and improve blood vessel function in patients with high blood pressure, according to new research findings. All of these effects would be expected to decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke. The report in the July, 2005 journal Hypertension is just the most recent to link dark chocolate with beneficial health effects. In an earlier study, consumption of the bittersweet candy reduced blood pressure and increased insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects.
Soybean protein may help hypertension. The use of soy
protein dietary supplements may help reduce systolic and diastolic blood
pressure in patients with early hypertension, according to a report in the July
5th, 2005 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Dr. Jiang He, of Tulane
University in New Orleans, and colleagues assessed blood pressure changes in 302
adults who were randomized to receive soy protein supplements or carbohydrate
control for 12 weeks. Compared with controls, soy protein treated subjects
experienced a significant drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
These results, the authors conclude, "provide new evidence supporting dietary
soybean protein supplementation to prevent and treat hypertension."
Promising hypotensive effect of
hawthorn extract: a randomized double-blind pilot study of mild, essential
hypertension.
Phytother Res. 2002 Feb;16(1):48-54.
This pilot study was aimed at investigating the hypertension lowering potential of
hawthorn extract and magnesium dietary supplements individually and in
combination, compared with a placebo. Thirty-six subjects
with mild hypertension completed the study. At baseline, anthropometric and dietary assessment, as well
as blood pressure measurements were taken at rest, after exercise and after a
computer 'stress' test. Volunteers were then randomly assigned to a daily
supplement for 10 weeks of either: (a) 600 mg Mg, (b) 500 mg hawthorn extract,
(c) a combination of (a) and (b), (d) placebo. Measurements were repeated at 5
and 10 weeks of intervention. There was a decline in both systolic and diastolic
blood pressure in all treatment groups, including placebo, but ANOVA provided no
evidence of difference between treatments. However, factorial contrast analysis
in ANOVA showed a promising reduction (p = 0.081) in the resting diastolic blood
pressure at week 10 in the 19 hypertension subjects who were assigned to the hawthorn
extract, compared with the other groups. Furthermore, a trend towards a
reduction in anxiety (p = 0.094) was also observed in those taking hawthorn
compared with the other groups. These findings warrant further study,
particularly in view of the low dose of hawthorn extract used.
Higher intake of folic acid is associated with a decreased risk of developing hypertension, particularly among younger women.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic hypertension.
South Med J. 2001 Nov;94(11):1112-7.
Increasing numbers of the adult population are using alternative or
complementary health resources in the treatment of chronic medical conditions.
Systemic hypertension affects more than 50 million adults and is one of the most
common risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study
evaluates the antihypertensive effectiveness of oral coenzyme Q10 (CoQ), an
over-the-counter nutritional supplement, in a cohort of 46 men and 37 women with
isolated systolic hypertension. We conducted a 12-week randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial with twice daily administration of 60 mg of oral CoQ
and determination of plasma CoQ levels before and after the 12 weeks of
treatment. RESULTS: The mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of the CoQ-treated
group was 17.8 +/- 7.3 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM). None of the patients exhibited
orthostatic blood pressure changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest CoQ may be
safely offered to hypertensive patients as an alternative treatment option.
Atenolol, sold under the brand name Tenormin, a leading drug used by millions of people for hypertension does not prevent deaths from heart attacks or other cardiovascular problems as well as other treatments. Atenolol, which is sold under the brand name Tenormin by drugs giant AstraZeneca, was first introduced in 1976. It is one of the most widely prescribed drugs of its kind. Atenolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta blockers, which are prescribed for high blood pressure, angina and to prevent repeat heart attacks. The drugs help relieve stress on the heart and slow its beat. The research showed the drug was no better than a placebo in reducing deaths from heart attacks or heart disease.
Clinical efficacy of magnesium supplementation in patients
with type 2 diabetes.
J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Oct;23(5):506S-509S.
Effects of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on nine mild
type 2 diabetic patients with stable glycemic control were investigated. Water
from a salt lake with a high natural Mg content (7.1%) (MAG21) was used for
supplementation after dilution with distilled water to 100mg/100mL; 300mL/day
was given for 30 days. Fasting serum immunoreactive insulin level decreased
significantly. There was also a marked decrease of the mean triglyceride level
after supplementation. The patients with hypertension showed significant
reduction of systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure. The salt lake water
supplement, MAG21, exerted clinical benefit as a Mg supplement in patients with
mild type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Cold weather snaps can trigger heart attacks, particularly in people suffering from hypertension. The increased rate of attacks seen during wintertime lows is probably due to the fact that cold temperatures increase blood pressure and put more strain on the heart.
High blood levels of uric acid is correlated with obesity and hypertension.
The protective effect of habitual tea
consumption on hypertension.
Arch Intern Med. 2004 Jul 26;164(14):1534-40.
Tea has long been believed to possess hypertension relieveing effects in
popular Chinese medicine. However, conflicting results have been shown among
human trials and animal studies on the relation between tea consumption and
blood pressure. Epidemiological evidence about the long-term effect of tea on
hypertensive risk is also inconsistent. METHODS: We examined the effect of tea
drinking, measured in detail for the past decades, on the risk of newly
diagnosed hypertension in 1507 subjects (711 men and 796 women), 20 years or
older, who did not have a hypertensive history during 1996 in Taiwan. RESULTS:
Six hundred subjects (39.8%) were habitual tea drinkers, defined by tea
consumption of 120 mL/d or more for at least 1 year. Compared with nonhabitual
tea drinkers, the risk of developing hypertension decreased by 46% for those who
drank 120 to 599 mL/d and was further reduced by 65% for those who drank 600 mL/d
or more after carefully adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, family
history of hypertension, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, lifestyle factors
(total physical activity, high sodium intake, cigarette smoking, alcohol
consumption, and coffee drinking), and dietary factors (vegetable, fruit,
unrefined grain, fish, milk, visible-fat food, and deep fried food intake).
However, tea consumption for more than 1 year was not associated with a further
reduction of hypertension risk. CONCLUSION: Habitual moderate strength green or
oolong tea consumption, 120 mL/d or more for 1 year, significantly reduces the
risk of developing hypertension in the Chinese population.
Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, improves endothelial function
of hypertensive patients.
Life Sci. 2004 Jan 2;74(7):855-62.
A placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group study was performed with
58 patients to investigate effects of French maritime pine bark extract,
Pycnogenol, on patients with hypertension. Supplementation of the patients with
100 mg Pycnogenol over a period of 12 weeks helped to reduce the dose of the
calcium antagonist nifedipine in a statistically significant manner. The intake
of Pycnogenol decreased endothelin-1 concentrations significantly compared to
placebo while concentrations of 6-keto prostaglandin F1a in plasma were
significantly higher compared to placebo. Values for nitric oxide (NO) in plasma
increased in both groups, but the differences were not significant. Angiotensin
II concentrations in plasma were lowered in the placebo group to a larger extent
than in the Pycnogenol group. Heart rate, electrolytes and blood urea nitrogen
were not changed during treatment in both groups of patients. Unwanted effects
observed in both groups were of mild and transient nature, such as
gastrointestinal problems, vertigo, headache and nausea. Differences in rate of
side effects were not statistically significant between the two groups. Study
results support a supplementation with Pycnogenol for mildly hypertensive
patients.
Daily nighttime melatonin reduces blood
pressure in male patients with essential hypertension.
Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Hypertension. 2004 Feb;43(2):192-7.
Patients with essential hypertension have disturbed autonomic cardiovascular
regulation and circadian pacemaker function. Recently, the biological clock was
shown to be involved in autonomic cardiovascular regulation. Our objective was
to determine whether enhancement of the functioning of the biological clock by
repeated nighttime melatonin intake might reduce ambulatory blood pressure in
patients with essential hypertension. We conducted a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, crossover trial in 16 men with untreated essential
hypertension to investigate the influence of acute (single) and repeated (daily
for 3 weeks) oral melatonin (2.5 mg) intake 1 hour before sleep on 24-hour
ambulatory blood pressure and actigraphic estimates of sleep quality. Repeated
melatonin intake reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure during sleep by 6
and 4 mm Hg, respectively. The treatment did not affect heart rate. The
day-night amplitudes of the rhythms in systolic and diastolic blood pressures
were increased by 15% and 25%, respectively. A single dose of melatonin had no
effect on blood pressure. Repeated (but not acute) melatonin also improved
sleep. Improvements in blood pressure and sleep were statistically unrelated. In
patients with essential hypertension, repeated bedtime melatonin intake
significantly reduced nocturnal blood pressure. Future studies in larger patient
group should be performed to define the characteristics of the patients who
would benefit most from melatonin intake. The present study suggests that
support of circadian pacemaker function may provide a new strategy in the
treatment of essential hypertension.
Red wine might be considered good for overall health, but it may cause hypertension nearly as much as beer does. People at risk of hypertension should not switch to red wine in the hope of being able to drink more. Some drinkers may have hoped that red wine's antioxidant compounds could counteract the effects of alcohol in raising blood pressure. But, writing in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, Zilkens and colleagues said they found no such effect in 24 healthy, non-smoking men.
In a major study of blood pressure drugs, patients treated with water pills, or "diuretics," were at increased risk of developing diabetes, according to research presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Hypertension. But Dr. Joshua Barzilay, from Emory University in Atlanta, said that the increase in diabetes did not translate into an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. In the 42,000-patient study, known as ALLHAT, researchers compared four types of blood pressure drugs: a diuretic, an alpha-blocker, a calcium channel blocker, and an ACE inhibitor. After two years of treatment, 9.3 percent of patients who received a diuretic called Hygroton (chlorthalidone) developed diabetes. In contrast, with the other drugs no more than 7 percent of patients developed diabetes. By 4 years, the difference was still apparent. Barzilay suggested that further studies might be able to determine if costs are increased because those patients who develop diabetes need further treatments.
Soy Milk and Hypertension
Soy milk drinkers have reason to raise their cup and cheer. A recent three month
double blind study completed at the School of Medicine in Zaragoza, Spain tested
the effect of 500 ml (about a pint) of soy milk compared with the same amount of
cow’s milk in 40 men and women with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Before
initiation of the study, urinary isoflavonoids (soy contains compounds called
isoflavonoids, the best known being genistein) were undetectable in most cases,
meaning that their diet contained little or no soy products. After three months
of soy milk consumption, systolic blood pressure decreased by 18 mmHg compared
with 2 mmHg in the cow’s milk group. Diastolic blood pressure decreased by 15
mmHg versus 4 mmHg in the cow’s milk group. The researchers conclude that
chronic soy milk consumption lowers blood pressure in those with hypertension.
This blood pressure-lowering action was correlated with the urinary excretion of
the isoflavonoid genistein, meaning that the more genistein excreted in the
urine (reflecting the higher amount in the body), the lower the blood pressure.
Dr. Sahelian says: Those who drink large amounts of milk should consider
reducing their milk consumption and partially or mostly substituting soy milk
instead. Try soy milk brands that have a minimal amount of added sugar. Use
stevia drops for additional sweetness.
Therapeutic potential of yoga practices in modifying
cardiovascular risk profile in middle aged men and women.
J Assoc Physicians India. 2002 May;50(5):633-40.
To study effect of yoga on the physiological, psychological
well being, psychomotor parameter and modifying cardiovascular risk factors in
mild to moderate hypertensive patients. METHODS: Twenty patients (16 males, 4
females) in the age group of 35 to 55 years with mild to moderate essential
hypertension underwent yogic practices daily for one hour for three months.
Biochemical, physiological and psychological parameters were studied prior and
following period of three months of yoga practices, biochemical parameters
included, blood glucose, lipid profile, catecholmines, MDA, Vit. C
cholinesterase and urinary VMA. Psychological evaluation was done by using
personal orientation inventory and subjective well being. RESULTS: Results
showed decrease in blood pressure and drug score modifying risk factors, i.e.
blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides decreased overall improvement in
subjective well being and quality of life. There was decrease in VMA
catecholamine, and decrease MDA level suggestive decrease sympathetic activity
and oxidant stress. CONCLUSION: Yoga can play an important role in risk
modification for cardiovascular diseases in mild to moderate hypertension.
Hypertension Emails
Let me tell you how I got hypertension. Last spring I used a hair
product containing 2% minoxidil for 5 weeks. It raised my heart rate &
lowered my already low 119/78 b.p. so I stopped using it. Two weeks later
my b.p. was 160/90. I took hawthorn, co Q10, 800mg calcium, 400mg
magnesium, omega 3-6-9 & extra vitamins & minerals. I ate lots of fruit &
veggies & lots of bike riding. My b.p. went down to 133/84 & I thought I
was home free, but after 3 months of feeling good i got hypertension
again. It's been 155/90, 151/88, 144/84 & 160/90. So now I"ve been using
dandelion for one week. I can tell my b.p. is lower & my heart rate is
lower than before, but I don't feel all that good. Sure I can go to the
doctor, but I went to the doctor last summer & she didn't have any
answers. It seems that not much is known about minoxidil and hypertension,
but I was one healthy 63 year old before but now I don't feel very healthy
at all.
I discovered your website by accident, via WebMD. I
suffer from hypertension and my present prescribed medication (100 mg
Atenolol + 25 mg Hydrochlorothiazide + 5 mg Felodipine) have controlled
the diastolic pressure very well, but the systolic remained “around” the
135 – 144 mark. A friend in Pennsylvania was advised by his doctor that
ibuprofen taken regularly causes hypertension. Your website seems to
confirm this. I’ve been using 400 mg to 800 mg of Advil daily for
osteoarthritis…400 mg in the morning & often another 400 mg before bed.
This morning I substituted 2 x 325 mg aspirin for the Advil. When I took
my blood pressure, it was 125/65!! Yesterday it was 144/72. I thank you
for your confirmation of ibuprofen contribution to hypertension!
Ashitaba
Barberry
C12 Peptide
Eucommia and
hypertension
Q. I have been an eager and meticulous reader of your Newsletter ever since I came to know about you and your work. For sometime, I have also been ordering supplements formulated by you, particularly CoQ10, Prostrate Power, and Passion Rx. I strongly believe in natural remedies for certain health conditions that conventional medicine cannot address properly. I spend a lot of time researching medical conditions and their threatments, and I particularly find your research reviews extraordinarily cumulative, unbiased, informative, and helpful to the layman in understanding the intricacies of treatment alternatives. I comend you for your time and effort. I would be very thankful if you could also list supplements in condition specific order--sometimes those are not--in your website for the convenience of your patients and wellness-seekers. For instance, I have been looking for an alternative to prescription hypertension medication Atenolol, but I have not been able locate it under hypertension or high blood pressure.
Q. Is
vinpocetine safe for
people with uncontrolled hypertension to take? If it dilates the blood vessels
in the brain, is this dangerous for people who are at risk for strokes?
A. I have not come across studies evaluating the
influence of vinpocetine on hypertension. Vinpocetine is actually used to treat
strokes.
Q. Which natural supplement is safe for reduction
hypertension. I am taking Coversyl and Lipitor (cholesterol) and I like to
reduce hypertension drugs in the future by taking natural cure.
A. We can't give specific advice, just general
hypertension information.
Hypertension Symptom