Hypertension or High Blood Pressure, Lifestyle and Natural Treament

Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of disability or death, due to stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. Hypertension is the force of blood against your artery walls. The first number is systolic(when the heart beats)and the second number is diastolic(when the heart relaxes between beats) they are measured in mmHg and both numbers are important risk factors.  Normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80 mmHg for healthy individuals, but this is just a guideline. You should consult with your doctor if the numbers are higher, especially if you are diabetic.

There are two types of high blood pressure: essential hypertension and secondary hypertension. Essential hypertension does not have a known cause although genetics play a role. Yet it is the most common type of hypertension (about 90 percent of all cases). Secondary hypertension can be identified and is usually treatable or reversible.

Lifestyle – likely the most important aspect of hypertension treatment.

If you currently rely on prescription medicine to control your blood pressure and you “feel completely healthy” then you should pay attention to this section of the blog.

More than one-third of the adult population of the United States is obese and Canada isn’t that far behind either. Obesity is a significant risk factor for hypertension.  Many studies have shown obese hypertensive patients can reduce their medication with weight loss. I have personally seen patients reduce their blood pressure medication with the supervision of their doctor by weight reduction even if they weren’t obese but were ”slightly overweight.” A sedentary person has higher risk of developing hypertension than does an active person.

One study found insufficient sleep can contribute to increased blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. The researchers theorized this may be due to increased sympathetic nervous activity during the night. Therefore it makes sense that stress management and relaxation techniques such as meditation help control high blood pressure. Transcendental Meditation can help to control blood pressure in particular and may be more effective that progressive muscle relaxation.

Salt restriction has been helpful in sodium sensitive people to lower blood pressure. One teaspoon of table salt has about 2000mg of sodium. Recommended daily intake is 1500mg to 2300mg.

The DASH diet includes eating a variety whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. It allows fish, chicken and legumes. Less red meat, fewer sweets and less fat. The result is a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, total fat and sodium. But with adequate protein, fiber and healthy nutrients, particularly magnesium, potassium and calcium.  See this link fo rmore information: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf 

References

http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/hypertensionaha;27/6/1318      Effects of insufficient sleep on hypertension

http://www.nature.com/ajh/journal/v12/n1/abs/ajh199910a.html     Effects of insufficient sleep on hypertension

http://patient-research.elsevier.com/patientresearch/displayAbs?key=S0002914905001839&referrer=http%253A%252F%252Fscholar.google.com%252Fscholar%253Fq%253Dschneider%252520and%252520TM%252520and%252520muscle%252520relaxation%2526rls%253Dcom.microsoft%253A*%253AIE-SearchBox%2526oe%253DUTF-8%2526sourceid%253Die7%2526rlz%253D1I7RNTN_en%2526um%253D1%2526ie%253DUTF-8%2526sa%253DN%2526hl%253Den%2526tab%253Dws        Long-Term Effects of Stress Reduction on Mortality in Persons ≥55 Years of Age With Systemic Hypertension

http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/5/820?ijkey=QaSXB6Iy2Vwkk      (TM versus progressive muslce relaxation)

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