Oxidation Technique May Lead to New High Blood Pressure Treatments

High Blood Pressure usually causes no discernible symptoms in the person who suffers from it, but along with obesity it has been linked to developing heart disease later in life. Hypertension is typically controlled through medication and diet but researchers found a way using a process called oxidation. In extreme cases, people with hypertension may experience severe head aches, confusion or fatigue, vision problems, chest pain, irregular breathing and blood in the urine.

In most cases, high blood pressure will be diagnosed after a visit to the doctor's office and being attached to one of those cuffs. A measurement higher than 140/90 will result in the diagnosis. High blood pressure may lead to stroke, heart failure, kidney problems, heart attack and vision problems. 25% of adults may suffer from the condition, but recent studies have found an increased rate of the condition among children which typically goes undiagnosed. Poor diet and an increasingly sedentary society are usually given the finger of blame.

Oxidation caused by free radicals and and other oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide do indeed cause cell damage, they also play a vital role in. The discovery made by medical researchers in the United Kingdom involves a protein known as kinase g. Kinase g is important to all tissues of the body, but particularly important for regulating the pressure of blood in the circulatory system.

The doctors working on the project discovered a way to bond oxidants create a bond between two amino acids which in turn activates the protein. The research may lead to new drugs and ways to combat blood pressure and the researchers hope provide different ways to prevent a heart attack other than the daily aspiring regimen taken by millions of Americans.

New treatment options still may be a long way way from the results of this United Kingdom study. In the meantime it probably would not hurt to cut back on salt despite its deliciousness and cut down on the greasy, salty snacks like potato chips. Even low fat pretzels may not be advisable if the blood pressure is too high. It is a shame that the best tasting foods are so bad for you. Maybe you should switch to eating dark chocolate instead. Those types of candy bars are supposedly good for you, now if it would just be labeled as a health food.

Sources:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6961911.stm

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/blood-pressure-basics

http://www.pediatricweb.com/seattle/article.asp?ArticleID=818&ArticleType=9