Health Topics > Heart health > hypertensionhighbloodpressure
HYPERTENSION - High Blood Pressure
Persistently high blood pressure is a common problem and is known as hypertension. Hypertension means high pressure inside the arteries.
High blood pressure can be called “the silent killer,” as it slowly and insidiously damages the walls of the blood vessels and our internal organs, even if it is only moderately elevated. The organs most vulnerable to damage are the heart, brain and kidneys.
Unfortunately many folks underestimate the damage that high blood pressure can cause; for example they have an aversion to taking their medication, forget to take their medication or have a funny belief system that they can control their blood pressure with stress management alone.
The reality is, that the proper control of blood pressure needs a holistic approach, which if implemented can prevent organ damage and add many years to your life.
There are two different types of hypertension
- Essential hypertension is the most common type and refers to high blood pressure with no underlying specific cause.
- Secondary hypertension refers to high blood pressure being a result of another condition, for example kidney disease.
How do you measure blood pressure?
Normal blood pressure should be less than 140/90, but it is normal that your blood pressure increases with age.
Blood pressure readings will change given one’s age, exercise status and whether you are standing or sitting. Your health care practitioner will measure your blood pressure using a blood pressure cuff placed on your upper arm. If a BP reading is high, many doctors will measure it on both arms and also in the sitting and standing position.
- Systolic blood pressure – systolic pressure is the top number of your measurement and represents the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood out into the arteries.
- Diastolic blood pressure – diastolic pressure is the bottom number of your measurement and represents the minimum pressure in the arteries between contractions when the heart relaxes to fill with blood.
What causes high blood pressure?
Most cases of high blood pressure are caused by hardening and/or blockage of the arteries. These diseased blood vessels become narrowed and inflexible, and thus the heart must exert more pressure to pump the blood through the blood vessels. Hardened blood vessels are less elastic and do not dilate properly which increases the pressure inside them.
Other possible causes may include; kidney disease and stress/anxiety which can cause an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system via excess of production of adrenalin. There may be a family history of high blood pressure, or Diabetes or Syndrome X. Blood pressure most commonly occurs during middle age and is more common in the overweight. See the Syndrome X book for more information and diet to help reduce weight excess.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
If there is a family history of blood pressure it is important to have your blood pressure monitored regularly.
It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, as elevated blood pressure often does not produce any symptoms.
Possible symptoms of high blood pressure are –
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Poor concentration
- Fatigue
- Poor vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Cramps in the legs
- Chest pains
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
What are the complications of persistent high blood pressure?
Elevated blood pressure can be extremely dangerous and if poorly controlled results in an increased risk of –
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Kidney disease
- Blindness
It is sad that many patients with high blood pressure are unaware of the dangers of poorly controlled blood pressure. It is generally always possible to control even very high blood pressure if a holistic approach is used – this means using drugs along with nutritional medicine.
Visiting with an eye specialist (Ophthalmologist) is advised, as examination of the retina can be a reliable index of the extent of damaged blood vessels throughout the body caused by high blood pressure.
Recommended Books
"MAGNESIUM The Miracle Mineral" You won't believe the DIFFERENCE it makes to your HEALTH! This is my latest book and discusses Magnesium as being essential for hundreds of chemical reactions that take place in the body every second, with recent findings also indicating that it offers a wide range of important health-promoting benefits. See page 9 for these benefits.
"Eat Yourself a Rainbow Everyday" The Dr Sandra Cabot Recipe Collection with recipes designed and tested by Audrey Tea. These will delight your taste buds, satisfy your appetite and ensure that you enjoy a delicious diet while protecting and healing your body. Easy to prepare recipes.
Treatment of high blood pressure
You may need to make lifestyle changes. Begin with simple daily changes such as stopping smoking, limiting alcohol and sugar. Try to introduce gentle regular exercise and reduce stress levels where possible. If you have poor sleep associated with snoring and interruption of breathing (apnoea) please ask for a referral to a sleep laboratory. These sleep problems can be treated effectively and they are very high risk factors for high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.
Blood pressure medication is often needed and is very effective; it needs to be prescribed by your doctor. The most popular drugs are called the ACE inhibitors and they act by opening up the blood vessels – this is called a vasodilator effect.
Natural therapies can be used along with blood pressure medication; however you should not take anything extra if you are taking blood thinning drugs, unless first checking with your own doctor. If you are taking diuretic drugs you should not take potassium supplements unless first checking with your own doctor.
A Low carbohydrate diet
This should include regular protein, legumes, nuts, fresh fruits & vegetables – this will reduce insulin levels, which in turn reduces high blood pressure. Of course a low carb diet is also the best way to lose weight, especially from the abdomen.
For an easy and very effective low carb eating plan see the book "Can't Lose Weight? You Could Have Syndrome X". You will find the eating plan outlined on pages 244 and 245. The Syndrome X book is perfect for people with a fatty liver, high blood glucose, elevated insulin & insulin resistance, abdominal weight gain, blood lipid problems and cravings for carbohydrates etc. By following this eating plan one can lose weight, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, prevent diabetes and avoid sugar cravings without feeling hungry.
Warning: Grapefruit can interact with a number of high blood pressure medications and should be avoided.
Raw juicing
“Raw Juices Can Save Your Life” outlines juicing recipes and smoothies to help reduce hardening and blockage of the arteries. Raw Juices book is an A-Z medical guide to raw juicing. See in particular, page 52 for high blood pressure recipes as well as useful supplements.
If you want to consult with a nutritionist to help you stay on track along your journey to good health and desired body weight, see Dr Cabot’s Clinic and Practitioner list, and/or alternatively, join Gold Membership.
Recommended supplements
Magnesium power or tablets
- Take 1 teaspoon in water or raw juice daily, or 2 - 4 tablets daily. Magnesium has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve peripheral circulation. Magnesium relaxes the smooth muscle in the artery walls and this is highly beneficial, as it opens up the arteries – this lowers blood pressure and also increases blood flow to vital organs. Magnesium can also reduce spasm of the coronary arteries; for this reason it has a protective effect against sudden heart attacks. Magnesium works much better if it is taken alone, as a pure magnesium supplement away from other supplements containing calcium. If calcium is taken at the same time as magnesium, it will fight against the blood pressure lowering effect of magnesium. Magnesium does not interact with blood pressure lowering drugs.
Magnesium can be taken in tablet or potent powder form – it should be taken twice daily to help those with high blood pressure. Doses range from 300 to 600mg elemental magnesium daily. The evening dose also helps to promote a restful sleep and reduce anxiety. Magnesium also prevents muscle cramps, facial twitching and greatly reduces migraine headaches.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
- Take 2 daily – the best flaxseed formula is one that contains a beneficial balance of cold pressed oils - flaxseed, evening primrose oil and lecithin. EFAs help to lower blood pressure as well as cholesterol as well– good sources include flaxseed oil, oily fish, fish oil, legumes, raw nuts and seeds, avocados, cold pressed seed and nut oils (coconut oil, olive oil, grape seed oil are all beneficial). Avoid deep fried foods and hydrogenated vegetable oils. Essential fatty acids reduce inflammation in the arteries and reduce blood clots.
Taurine
This amino acid is found in some magnesium powders and helps to relax blood vessel walls. Taurine is also found in meat, eggs, seafood and dairy products.
Ø Herbs – garlic, red onions, hawthorn berry
Ø Apple cider vinegar – has a cleansing effect on the liver and blood vessels –use as part of a salad dressing
Vitamin C powder
- Take 1000mg twice daily in water or raw juice. It is also important to get vitamin C from foods, especially from citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, limes, lemons and mandarins. They should be eaten and juiced as well, and I highly recommend that you eat them every day. I make a delicious vitamin C hit juice from:
Pineapple
Orange
Lime
Lemon
Apple
Peel off the skin of the fruit, but with the citrus, leave a layer of white pith on the fruit; then pass the fruit through the juicer – you will get a creamy delicious juice. The white pith is very high in bioflavonoids, which will protect your blood vessels.
During my lectures, I often ask the audience “hands up those who take vitamin C or juice citrus everyday?” Guess what? It’s usually only 10% of the audience!
Most folks do not get enough vitamin C, or indeed many of the life saving antioxidants – this is very serious!
They may not have scurvy, but they will have weakened blood vessels that are more prone to rupture – this will result in a stroke or other serious cardiovascular event. Vitamin C not only strengthens the blood vessel walls, it also reduces inflammation in the blood vessels, which reduces all types of cardiovascular disease.