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What
is Hypertension
Blood
pressure is the measure of blood being pumped from the heart through
the rest of the body via the arteries. Hypertension, also known
as high blood pressure, is when there is either too much pumping
force from the heart or, more likely, too much resistance form the
arteries. Blood pressure is measured as a fraction: the first number,
the systolic pressure, is the peak reading of the pressure exerted
by the heart muscle contraction. The second number in the reading
is the diastolic pressure. It is when the heart relaxes during beats
and the blood pressure drops.
Normal blood pressure
is 120 (systolic)/80 (diastolic). The units for measure are units
of mercury; one unit is the blood pressure moving the mercury one
mm in the measurement device.
High blood pressure
is considered to be one of the main risk factors for a heart attack
or stroke. Atherosclerosis is a major cause of high blood pressure.
High blood pressure
is also known as hypertension (HTN) or arterial hypertension.
Signs and
Symptoms
For most people
it is the assessment of high blood readings at the doctor’s
office when diagnosis happens. For others it is the experience of
a heart attack or a stroke, as heart disease is called the ‘silent
killer’. It is usually without symptoms until complications
develop, in the heart or other organs (i.e. brain and kidneys).
Blood vessels changes
may be seen in the arteries of the retina in the eye using a special
lens by a doctor or ophthalmologist. Observable changes in retinal
blood vessels are diagnostic indicators of the degree of damage
caused to the body by the hypertension.
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Diagnosis
and Pharmaceutical Interventions
Blood pressure is
classified as primary (essential) hypertension when there is no
other condition that may be causing the increase in pressure; secondary
hypertension is when the elevated pressure is caused by a condition
in another organ (i.e. the kidneys,) or due to drugs.
There are several
classifications of hypertension based on how high the numbers are.
Borderline or what is starting to be Prehypertension is classified
as 120-139/80-89. Stage 1 or mild HTN is 140-159/90-99. Stage 2
or moderate is 160 or higher / 100 or higher. Stage 3 or severe
HTN is >180/>110.
Blood pressure should
be taken three times before a diagnosis should be made. Especially
useful is a reading done outside of a doctor’s office, to
avoid a ‘white coat effect’ that some people may get
that refers to a BP that is consistently elevated in the physician's
office but normal when measured at home.
Medications
Diuretics
These medications are often the first choice for medical doctors
when prescribing medication for HTN. Diuretics increase urinary
output, reducing the volume of blood that travels through the vessels
by reducing the water and sodium concentration. By reducing the
blood volume this reduces the blood pressure. Some diuretics also
increase the elimination of potassium, a mineral needed by the body
for normal muscle, including the heart muscle contraction. Diuretics
do not act directly on the heart or vessels, and not only do they
not treat heart disease directly they frequently need other pharmaceutical
medications as adjunctive. There are 3 types: Thiazides (hydrochlorothiazide,
metolazone), Loop (frusemide) and potassium sparing (spirnolactone).
Beta blockers
B- Blockers act on a specific type of chemical receptor, the b-adrenergic
receptor. These receptors allow for the proper flow of neurotransmitter
epinephrine, which is increased in stressful situations to allow
for increased heart beating and blood flow to the extremities.
Beta blockers are thought to decrease the levels of CoQ10 in the
body, a nutrient needed for healthy heart function. Some examples
are atenolol, carvedilol and propanolol.
ACE
inhibitors
ACE inhibitors block the enzyme reaction of angiotensin to angiotensin
II, which causes a decrease in water and sodium in the blood, relaxation
of the blood vessels and decreases blood pressure. ACE inhibitors
work with diuretics, actually making them work better. ACE inhibitors
can interfere with B- blockers, tetracycline and non steroidal anti-inflammatory
medications. Some examples are captolpril, lisinopril and quinapril.
Ca++ channel
blockers
This class of medication blocks the activity of calcium to cause
contraction of the blood vessels which would increase resistance
and blood pressure. These meds can cause gastro-esophageal reflux
disorder, by reducing the contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter
muscle. Constipation may also be a side effect. Some examples are
nifedipine, felopine, and verapamil.
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Lifestyle
and Dietary Modifications
For many years it
was thought that just by reducing your salt (sodium chloride) intake
high blood pressure would be reduced. Sodium causes retention of
water, and a larger blood volume being pumped through the blood
vessels. It is now known that a healthy diet, including a modest
salt intake, help reduce blood pressure and heart disease.
Dietary Approaches
to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet): The DASH diet was created by US
National Institutes of Health to reduce heart disease. It emphasizes
whole-grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, and non-fat dairy. It reduces
intake of fats, sweets, prepared foods, and alcohol. This diet reduced
blood pressure significantly every time it was tested.
Smoking is particularly injurious for people with hypertension.
The combination of hypertension and smoking greatly increases the
risk of cardiovascular disease-related sickness and death. All people
with high blood pressure need to quit smoking.
Many people with high blood pressure are overweight. Weight loss
lowers blood pressure significantly in those who are both overweight
and hypertensive. In fact, reducing body weight by as little as
ten pounds can lead to a significant reduction in blood pressure.
Weight loss appears to have a stronger hypotensive effect than dietary
salt restriction.
Studies have shown
a link between job and personal stress and hypertension. Relaxation
techniques such as deep breathing exercise, meditation and yoga
have shown to have value in reducing blood pressure.
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Nutritional
Factors Shown to be Beneficial
Fish Oil
Fish oils consist of omega 3 fatty acids that improve the risk of
heart disease and hypertension by improving blood flow. Fish oils
also have a beneficial effect on lowering cholesterol and blood
lipids, a contributing factor in heart disease.
Dose: range from 3-5 grams a day.
Garlic (allium
sativa)
Garlic is not only a food but good medicine! Garlic has a direct
anti-atherosclerotic effect and can reduce platelet aggregation,
allowing for smooth flow of blood in the vessels.
Doses of allicin containing garlic preparations
should be are typically 900 mg per day (providing 5,000 to 6,000
mcg of allicin), divided into two or three administrations.
Rauwolfia
alkaloids
Also known as Indian snakeroot, Rauwolfia serpentia is an ayuvedic
herb shown to lower blood pressure by acting similar to b-blockers.
When Rauwolfia is used as a whole herbal product, it is very effective
and safe for the treatment of hypertension. Reserpine, an alkaloid
chemical isolated from it, has a strong blood pressure lowering
effect, however, using resperine alone may potentially cause side
effects like depression, fatigue and lowered libido.
Dose: 50 to 200 mg/day.
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiqinone, is an antioxidant nutrient
involved in the production of energy, and is especially good for
nutrition of the heart muscle itself. Many people with HTN have
low levels of CoQ10. It reduces oxidation of the plaques and may
help normalize heart function brought on by other conditions, i.e.
abnormal heart beats and cardiomyopathies. It has been shown to
be particularly effective in systolic hypertension.
Dose: 100 mg or more per day
Arginine
Arginine is an amino acid; it is the most abundant nitrogen carrier
in the human body. Arginine converts to nitric oxide, a chemical
which relaxes endothelial cells and can lower BP.
Dose: 2 g tid
Magnesium
Magnesium is deficient is many with high blood pressure, and 50%
of magnesium deficient individuals with HTN will respond when Mg
is given that restore serum magnesium levels.
Dose: 300-500 mg / day.
Calcium
Calcium is almost always low in individuals with HTN. As
with Magnesium, when given, it can bring elevated blood pressure
back to normal.
Dose: 800 mg / day.
Vitamin
C
Vitamin C is needed for several metabolic pathways in the body.
Vitamin C helps eliminate toxic elements such as lead, which is
associated with high blood pressure. Vitamin C also reduces LDL
cholesterol, which when elevated can have an effect on the size
of the arteries and increase resistance and blood pressure.
Dose: 1000 mg or more / day
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Recommended
NaturalMeds Products for Hypertension
CoQ10
30 mg
Coenzyme Q10 is essential to human life. It plays a role in energy
production cycles that converts food into energy. Research indicates
that supplementation with this nutrient may support normal heart
function and provide antioxidant protection. It is best taken with
food, especially with a food that contains fat as it improves absorption.
Dose: 4 capsules with meals a day Pack size:
30 and 60 capsules
Ultimate
Omega
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docasahexaenoic acid (DHA), the
two main components of Omega-3 from fish oil, are essential nutrients
for growth and development throughout the human life cycle. These
oils have been studied for the positive cardiovascular effects and
reduction of disease. Ultimate Omega contains 700 mg of EPA and
500 mg of DHA.
Dose: 2 capsules Pack size: 60 capsules
EPA
This particular formula is highly concentrated in EPA, having 850
mg per capsule. It also contains 200 mg of DHA.
Dose: 2 capsules Pack size 60 capsules
L-Arginine
500 mg
L-Arginine is an amino acid important in muscle metabolism. It is
a precursor for nitric oxide, which promotes increased circulation
by relaxing blood vessels.
Dose: 2 capsules 2-3 times a day Pack size:
50 capsules
Vitamin
C Ascorbic acid crystals
Vitamin is an astounding nutrient, as supplementation not only helps
with immune function but as an antioxidant protects against free
radical damage associated with cholesterol. Powdered forms of vitamin
C are easy to take.
Dose: ½ teaspoon two to threes times
a day Pack size: 8 ounces (226.796 g)
C-1000
For those who prefer to take tablets, this vitamin C provides 1000
mg or 1 gram of ascorbic acid per tablet. It is made from tapioca,
otherwise called sago, a GMO free, corn free source.
Dose: 2 tablets two to three times a day Pack
size: 100 tablet
Magnesium
Malate 625 mg
Magnesium is an essential mineral, playing a key role in over 300
enzymatic reactions in metabolism. It relaxes muscle tissues, including
helping to relax the vessels of the heart to reduce spasm. Magnesium
malate has the high absorption rate of any form.
Dose: 1-2 capsules a day with food Pack size:
XXX
Calcium
Citrate
Calcium Citrate is a form of calcium that is more soluble and better
absorbed by the body than other forms of calcium. Deficiencies are
quite common in those with heart disease and high blood pressure.
Dose: 1 tablet a day with food Pack size:
90 tablets
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