High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for a heart attack or stroke. The blood pressure reading measures the resistance produced each time the heart beats and sends blood coursing though the arteries. The peak reading of the pressure exerted by this contraction is the systolic pressure. Between beats the heart relaxes and blood pressure drops. The lowest reading is referred to as the diastolic pressure. Abnormal blood pressure reading for an adult is 130 (systolic)/85 (diastolic) mm HG. High blood pressure is divided into different levels:

-Borderline (130-139/85-89)

-Stage I (140-159/90-99

-Stage II (160-179/100-109)

-Stage III (180+/110+)

Signs and Symptoms:

Borderline to moderate high blood pressure is generally without symptoms. Sever hypertension may be associated with increase sleepiness, confusion, headache, nausea and vomiting.

Causes:

Although medical textbooks state that the cause is unknown in 95 percent of cases, genetics definitely play a role and high blood pressure is closely related to lifestyle and dietary factors. Important lifestyle factors include coffee consumption, alcohol intake, lack of exercise, stress and smoking. Dietary factors include obesity; high sodium-to-potassium ratio; low-fiber, high-sugar diet; high intake of saturated fat and low intake of essential fatty acids and a diet low in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C.

Dietary Factors:

Achieving ideal body weight is the most important recommendation for those with high blood pressure. However, overweight people who lose even modest amounts of weight experience a reduction in blood pressure.

Vegetarians generally have a lower incidence of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases than non- vegetarian. While dietary levels of sodium do not differ significantly between these two groups, a vegetarian's diet typically contains more potassium, complex carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, fiber, calcium, magnesium and vitamin C and less saturated fat and reined carbohydrates, all of which have favorable influence on blood pressure.

A diet high in sodium and low in potassium is associated with high blood pressure. Conversely, a diet high in potassium and low in sodium can lower blood pressure. Numerous studies have shown that sodium restriction alone does not improve blood pressure control in most people; it must be accompanied by a high potassium intake. Most Americans have a potassium-to-sodium ration of less than 1:2, meaning they ingest more than twice as much sodium as potassium. By contrast, researchers recommend a dietary potassium-to sodium ratio of greater than 5:1 to maintain health. The easiest way to lower sodium intake is to avoid prepared foods and table salt - use potassium chloride salt substitutes, such as the popular brands NoSalt and NuSalt, instead. The best way to boost potassium levels is to increase the intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

Conventional Drugs:

• ACE inhibitors: benazepril (Lostensin); captopril (Capoten) enalapril maleate (Vasotec); fosinopril sodium (Monopril); trandolapril (Mavik)

• Alpha/beta-adrenergic blocking agents: lavetalol (Labetalol, Normodyne, Trandate)

• Angiotensin receptor antagonists: candesartan cilexetil (Atacand); irbesartan (Avapro); telmisartan (Micardis)

• Beta-adrenergic blocking agents: acebutolol (Acebutolol, spectral); pindolol (Visken); propranolol (Betachron, Inderal, Pronol)

• Calcium blocking agents: diltiazem (Cardizme CD, Dilacor XR)

• Hypotensives, miscellaneous : nitroprusside sodium (Nipride)

• Loop diuretics: bumetanide (Bumex)

• Potassium-sparing diuretics: amiloride (Midamor); spironolactione (Aldactone)

• Thiazide diuretics: bendroflumethiazide (Naturetin); benzothiazide (Exna, Hydrex);hydrochlorothiazide (Apo-Hydro, Diuchlor H, Esidrix)trichlormethiazide (Aquazide, Diurese< Metahydrin, Naqua)

Natural Medicines:

• Calcium

Effectiveness = B+ Safety = A

• Fish oils

Effectiveness = B+ Safety = A

• Garlic

Effectiveness = A Safety = B

• Magnisium

Effectiveness =B Safety = C

• Olive leaf

Effectiveness =B+ Safety = B+

• Potassium

Effectiveness =A Safety = A

• Taurine

Effectiveness =B Safety = C

• Vitamin C

Effectiveness =B+ Safety = A