High Blood Pressure Be Gone

Posts Tagged ‘high blood pressure solutions’

From www.nigerianbestforum.com

Using data from national health surveys and from the U.S. National Center the researchers estimated how many lives would be saved and deaths prevented if a risk factor were at the optimal level, creating what they called a comparative risk assessment. The optimal level for smoking, for instance, would be no smokers.

”We put these surveys of levels of these risk factors together with epidemiological studies that tell us how bad they are, and this led to estimates of the number of deaths that are caused by each risk factor,” Ezzati said.

Being overweight or being physically inactive each accounted for 1 in 10 deaths. The dietary risks associated with the highest risk of death were high salt intake, low omega-3 intake and high trans fat intake.

Dr. Ramachandran Vasan, chief of the section of medicine and epidemiology at Boston University School of Medicine and senior investigator for the Framingham Heart Study, said the researchers tried to quantify risk factors that included metabolic, dietary and lifestyle issues.

Their findings have ”a lot of public health importance,” he said. Vasan had no involvement with the study.

Ezzati agreed, saying the study results would show public health officials that ”efforts to reduce smoking and lower blood pressure seem to have run out of steam.”

Asked if the blood pressure risk factor was due to controlled or uncontrolled blood pressure, he said: ”Controlled is an arbitrary term. Many people [with high blood pressure] who are controlled [on medication] are still at risk, because it is still high.”

But Vasan said that, on an individual level, the study offers an important take-home point. ”It reinforces the idea that it‘s a good idea to stop smoking and to periodically visit your doctor to get your blood pressure and your cholesterol checked,” he said.

Simon Foster

Response: The problem with taking medication to control blood pressure is that it treats the symptoms and not the cause – which means you have to stay on them till death.

Other studies have shown that those on high pressure medications have a greater risk of heart disease and premature death.

So what’s worse – high blood pressure or the treatment?

The best response to high blood pressure is a change in lifestyle to get your body back in balance.

From bukisa.com

Blood pressure between 120/80 to 140/90 is considered normal. 140/90 to 160/105 is considered mild hypertension. The upper figure is the systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart contracts). The lower figure is the diastolic pressure (the pressure as the heart relaxes between beats).

The severity of high blood pressure is ranked according to the diastolic (lower figure) reading. A diastolic reading of 105 to 120 is considered moderately severe. A constant reading greater than 120 is severe hypertension.

Simon Foster

Response:

It’s a pleasure to read an article about high blood pressure that doesn’t try to scare the life out of you if you have blood pressure reading over 120/80. Healthy blood pressure is a range – not a fixed number. Remember when ok blood pressure was 100 plus your age? Now the ‘one-size-fits-all’ rule of 120.80 has resulted ion a billion dollar bonanza for international distributors of blood pressure lowering medications. We don’t hear them complaining!

From: www.lsblog.org

An international scientific study involving researchers from the University of Glasgow has identified eight common genetic differences which may increase the risk of high blood pressure.

The University researchers, led by Professor Anna Dominiczak and Professor John Connell, contributed to the global study of genes in high blood pressure through participation in the Medical Research Council’s British Genetics of Hypertension study.

High blood pressure – or hypertension – affects at least eighteen million people in the UK and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Although lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet can raise blood pressure, it also runs in families suggesting a genetic link.

The genes identified by the researchers are thought to influence blood pressure in different ways: for example, through the production of chemicals, known as steroids, which affect how the kidneys process salt; or how the blood vessels regulate blood pressure.

Although the effect of each of the new gene variants is small, when combined their influence could significantly raise a person’s risk of stroke or heart attack.

The role of steroid hormones in controlling hypertension is one of the key areas studied within the British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre at the University.

Prof Connell, a senior researcher and Professor of Endocrinology, whose research group has a particular interest in steroids and blood pressure, said: “This latest study increases understanding of the underlying causes of high blood pressure, why some people are more susceptible to it than others and opens up further avenues for research into potential treatments.

“It is important to stress that environmental factors also play a big part so diet, smoking and weight control all important methods of controlling high blood pressure.”

In the new study, scientists looked at the human genome for genetic variations affecting blood pressure. They compared 2.5 million genetic variants from more than 34,000 people with measurements of their blood pressure. They found eight genetic differences linked to changes in blood pressure.

The study, published in Nature Genetics, involved over 150 scientists from 93 centres in Europe and the USA with funding from a variety of sources including the Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation and the Wellcome Trust.

Source
Nexxus, Scotland

Simon Foster

The link between genetics and high blood pressure is very convincing and goes a way to explain why some people (such as myself) suffer from extreme high blood pressure while living an otherwise healthy lifestyle.

Some people are simply programmed to have high blood pressure.

This doesn’t mean that it’s OK and isn’t a health risk.

It does mean that we are going to have to work a little harder lowering our blood pressure.

It means we are going to have to do more than simply change our diet and exercise each day.

It means we have to re-program our bodies to function with lower and safer levels of blood pressure.

I have discovered that this re-programming is entirely possible without recourse to prescription drugs and their undesirable side-effects.

From: http://hypertension-symptoms.forextracer.org.uk

There are far too many individuals in The United States who suffer with hypertension and are totally unsuspecting regarding this matter. Hypertension is recognized the silent killer as there are no early warning signs for high blood pressure that other medical issues may indicate. After the high blood pressure has progressed there will be symptoms but sometimes these are signs of other conditions caused by high blood pressure in the first place. By obtaining frequent check-ups, high blood pressure can be named before it has progressed to the point of creating other conditions. The incorrect idea that headaches, giddiness, tinnitus, benign skin tumors and confusedness are symptoms of hypertension, is believed by numerous people. In fact, these symptoms can be from unidentified high blood pressure and are complications stemming from having it for an indeterminate amount of time.

Often the initial hint an individual is aware of, is when they have high blood pressure which is linked to an issue that has been stimulated by hypertension. Doctors say the basic symptom of hypertension is if your blood pressure is repeatedly 140/90 or higher, which is a signal that the heart is working more to compensate for the pressure within your arterial blood vessels so by determining your blood pressure on a continued basis you will know when it remains at 140/90 or greater. A headache is often believed to be linked to high blood pressure but this kind of head ache will likely be in the morning and usually they are in the back of the head, rather than the forehead.

As secondary high blood pressure is caused by other circumstances the indications will be current especially in disorders of the adrenal gland and kidney complaints. Some drugs which are taken for other disorders can cause hypertension so indications will be seen here also. A stroke can also be stimulated by hypertension, in which situation the characteristics will be very noticeable and should not be dismissed. A few of these indications take in abrupt numbness and helplessness in the face, arm or leg, which is specially true if it is only along one side of the body. If your visual sense grows fuzzy, or there is a loss of sight in one or both eyes, this is a signs of stroke caused by high blood pressure. More symptoms include giddiness, headache accompanied by nausea or vomiting, loss of balance and being abruptly disorganized as to your surrounds.

Particular weight reduction medications contain components that will induce the blood pressure to go to life-threatening levels which is why a lot have been removed from the market owing to this very reason. The signs induced by acquiring these medications were manifestations of a heart attack, which included chest pain, shortness of breath and the inability to function. The best method to know if your blood pressure is elevated is to check it on a regular basis, as this may be a life saver if you have early hypertension that has exhibited no manifestations.

Simon Foster

I agree that the only way to know if you are suffering from high blood pressure is to have it monitored.

Symptoms such as headaches, giddiness, accompanied by nausea or vomiting can be any number of things including food poisoning or migraine (or any number of other things).

Perhaps more difficult is determining what counts as high blood pressure.

It used to be systolic 100 plus your age. That has been reduced to 120 for everyone – resulting in a massive increase in sales of medications to lower blood pressure.

Is the “one size fits all” a sound measurement? – or a simply a victory of the pharmaceutical industry?

From: www.turnto23.com

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — New research has challenged the notion that only patients with high blood pressure can benefit from drug treatment.

Doctors from Great Britain analyzed four decades worth of clinical research on hypertension medications and studied more than 400,000 people.Results showed that the blood pressure drugs reduced the odds of stroke and heart disease for essentially all patients, even those with no history of heart disease or hypertension.

The medications cut the risk for heart attacks by about one-quarter and the risk for strokes by one-third.

The authors suggested that all seniors should be offered the blood pressure drugs, even if they have normal blood pressure levels.

Simon Foster

Response:

If this is a reference to the report recently released by the BMJ then I’d remain skeptical.

The two main authors of this report are in the process of creating and registering a mild multi-use hypertension drug that could be prescribed to everyone.

In short, if this report is accepted and adopted for general practice the main authors stand in good position to be incredibly rich.

That makes me a little suspicious.

From: www.romow.com

With all the horrible news that pops up every other day about how this food and that is bad for your blood pressure, it may seem hard to believe that you can actually lower blood pressure with some nutritional foods. The truth of the matter is that you can. Some foods will naturally lower your blood pressure. This does not mean that you can use this to replace medication, but it does help immensely with those that are borderline high. Also, it can enhance the effects of medicines for high blood pressure.

Here are a number of different foods that can lower blood pressure naturally:

Some of the best foods to lower high blood pressure are those that are high in calcium. Calcium has always been known to be a good thing for high blood pressure, and no food is better than skim milk. Skim milk gives you the good (calcium and vitamin D) without giving you the bad (tons of fat) Any other foods that are high in calcium are also usually great for lowering high blood pressure. These include almonds, sardines, and most leafy green veggies.

Some more great foods for lowering blood pressure include yellow corn, grains, apples, and grapefruit. These foods are wonderful because they contain another fantastic enemy of high blood pressure…magnesium. Yet another reason to eat your spinach as well.

High blood pressure is one of the few reasons that your doctor might advise that you enjoy a little chocolate. Dark chocolate is said to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. Not many people that I know would have a problem taking some chocolate now and then for their blood pressure. This is not for everyone so be sure to check with your doctor to see if the benefits are higher than the risks for your particular medical situation.

Another important food factor in lowering blood pressure is potassium. Most people are aware that bananas are high in potassium, but do not realize there are a number of other delicious foods that are as well. They include watermelon, oranges, baked potatoes, and even zucchini. Omega three foods are also great for high blood pressure and include most of the oily fishes including tuna. Finally, garlic is long considered to be one of the best natural enemies of high blood pressure.

By sampling each of these foods on a regular basis and keeping them in moderation, you can help to get control of that high blood pressure. Take your medicine and watch your diet, and you will find that your blood pressure will respond in kind.

Simon Foster

Response:

This is some very sound advice on eating to lower your blood pressure.

To your list I would add oatmeal. One bowl a day. The most healthiest meal in the world! (And cheap).

For a complete guide on how to live well and eat healthy you can’t go wrong with Kevin Riley’s guide Get Natural! Drop Your Blood Pressure

From: www.cholesterolrevealed.com

My Blood Pressure is sometimes high but not all of the time,for this reason i dont want to take any medication. I heard garlic suppose to be good for blood pressure. Also i have high cholesterol for many years and it does seem to be going down. I dont eat a lot of fat and dont like dairy product (dont drink milk or like cheese). I do however like to drink half a bottle of sweet wine every day.Is this why my cholesterol is so high. Waiting for your reply. Thanks.

Simon Foster

Response:

Garlic prevents hypertension by blocking inhibitors, producing more nitric oxide gives good control over blood pressure. Eat garlic, raw, everyday.

A study with obese, hypertensive men showed a marked reduction in blood pressure that lasted through the afternoon after drinking just one glass of red wine with the noon meal. (The ethanol and polyphenols in red wine work together to enhance nitric oxide.)

This protective flavonol is especially high in the dark red wines such as merlot,  cabernet, zinfandel,  shiraz, and pinot noir.

Cheers!
Simon Foster

P.S. Get more information on how what to eat and how to live to lower your blood pressure naturally from Kevin Riley’s guide Get Natural! Drop Your Blood Pressure at www.naturalbloodpressure.com

from: www.forum.onlineopinion.com.au

Bruce, what is the relationship between salt intake and sweating?

I like my salt, but I also lose a lot of salt just about every day, from extensive sweating due to a good hard hike or run most days and bushwalking most weekends. My blood pressure is excellent and always has been.

Can salt have negative effects such as contributing to the hardening of your arteries and hence to an increased likelihood of heart attack or stroke, while outwardly appearing to present no problem if your blood pressure remains good?

If you sweat a lot, how do you know how much salt is too much?

Posted by Ludwig, Tuesday, 19 May 2009 12:39:28 PM

From: www.publishmyself.net/health-and-beauty/natural-remedies/lower-high-blood-pressure-what-your-doctor-didnt-tell-you/

Natural Cure for High Blood Pressure

According to research, exercise is one of the most effective ways to treat high-blood pressure. Doctors though don’t seem to be telling their patients about this connection. A recent study noted that two-thirds of doctors don’t take the time to tell their at-risk patients about what an important role exercise can play in their treatment.

One study showed that when patients increased their activity levels, 71 percent saw a drop in blood pressure. Even moderate exercise such as brisk walking can help. Walking certainly has helped me. I was diagnosed a few months ago with high blood pressure and given medication. After my second visit the doctor said if my blood pressure didn’t come down more, I would have to take additional medicine. I began walking briskly for about 30 minutes five times a week and my blood pressure has come down.

Italian researchers have found that listening to classical, Celtic or Indian music for just 30 minutes a day while concentrating on breathing may also help lower blood pressure. Doctors seem to think that the music helps you slow your breathing which can help you take in more oxygen.

Consuming small amounts of dark chocolate have also been found to be helpful. Don’t overdo because one of the other factors that really seems to affect blood pressure is your weight. If you are overweight even shedding a few pounds helps your entire body. For instance for every pound you lose, you take five pounds of stress off your knees.

Response:

Great to read some good commonsense advice about high blood pressure prevention and cures.

I would just add that along with the dark chocolate a glass of dark red wine everyday is good for the heart and lowering blood pressure.

For the best natural cure guide on the market check out Kevin Riley’s Get Natural! Drop Your Blood Pressure

The new story about the possible link between CMV virus and hypertension has caught on like wildfire on internet world.

From: http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/rss/article/670257

WASHINGTON – Provocative new research suggests that a common virus might play a role in high blood pressure.

The work, by Harvard scientists, so far is only in mice – and the usually symptomless infection is so widespread that proving an effect in people will be tough.

Still, it’s the latest clue that infections may somehow affect a number of the factors that lead to heart disease, from stiffening arteries to obesity.

“There’s likely to be considerable skepticism about this in the medical profession,” acknowledged lead researcher Dr. Clyde Crumpacker, an infectious disease specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

But, “what we would postulate is yes, there can be persistent infection of blood vessels that could be leading to high blood pressure.”

At issue is cytomegalovirus, or CMV. More than half of U.S. adults are infected by age 40, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It’s a lifelong infection but the vast majority will never even know they have it. ……

……

Almost one in three adult Americans, or 72 million people, and almost one billion people worldwide have high blood pressure. It’s a leading cause of heart disease and strokes.

Poor diet and lack of exercise are key risk factors, but doctors don’t understand all of the underlying triggers of hypertension – including why some couch potatoes never get it and some thin, fit people do.

“It’s an intriguing report” that calls for more research into the possible effect, said Dr. Cheryl L. McDonald of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which funded the work.

But she cautioned that any human testing would be years away.

Response:

I wouldn’t get your hopes up about the CMV – hypertension connection as it’s largely based conjecture.

The best way to combat high blood pressure is to lead a healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise.