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High Blood Pressure(Hypertension)
When the pressure with which the blood flows through arteries is unusually high, this is called hypertension, or as it is commonly referred to, high blood pressure. This pressure depends on several factors including volume of blood, output from the heart, and blood flow to the various organs. If pressure is high, the heart must harder and harder to get blood to all tissues. This can lead to kidney failure, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. High blood pressure is characterized in two ways, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is not due to another disease and in fact, its cause is unknown. However, there are factors associated with primary high blood pressure including, smoking, stress, obesity, caffeine, high sodium, and use of oral contraceptives. Secondary high blood pressure is a result of underlying health problems such as hormonal abnormalities or an inherited narrowing of the aorta. Secondary high blood pressure may be caused by hardened blood vessels, poor kidney function, and atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis. Normal blood pressure is around 120 over 80, but can vary depending on certain physical characteristics so consult a physician if you suspect that you may suffer from high blood pressure.
Symptoms
- Headache, drowsiness, confusion, numbness, and tingling in hands and feet, coughing blood, shortness of breath.
How alternative medicine may potentially help?
There are many herbs that may help treat high blood pressure. Other nutrients may help improve circulation and heart function.
Herbs
- Cayenne has properties that may be helpful in lowering blood pressure.
- Hawthorne - Commission E -- an expert committee on herbal remedies established by Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices - has approved hawthorn leaf with flower to relax heart muscle and improve circulation to the heart; it may be used to treat cardiac insufficiency
- Fennel has properties that may be helpful in lowering blood pressure.
- Garlic - garlic have an ability to lower blood pressure. A study in the British Journal of Clinical Practice reported that garlic supplements were also able to bring about a significant reduction in blood pressure in patients having mild hypertension
- Rosemary has properties that may be helpful in lowering blood pressure.
Vitamins
- Vitamin C can potentially improve adrenal function.
- Vitamin B-6 may relieve pressure on the cardiovascular system.
Minerals
- Selenium deficiency has been linked to heart disease.
- Calcium deficiency has been linked to high blood pressure. study in JAMA found that calcium supplements can lead to an important reduction in high blood pressure and life-threatening pre-eclampsia
Resources
- For advice on controlling hypertension, call 800/575-WELL. Or check out the American Heart Association's info on high blood pressure at www.amhrt.org.