There are many places with
machines to check your blood
pressure. Most drug stores and
even some grocery stores have
automated machines. Our
patients can always have blood
pressure checks free of charge
at our office. Generally there
are no symptoms and that is why
hypertension (high blood
pressure) is known as the silent
killer.
It is best if the readings are
below 120 over 70. The upper
number at less than 120 means
your blood vessels are flexible
and not narrowed. When the
pressure in the arteries is more
than 120 it is called pre
hypertension. The lower number
is the pressure when your heart
rests between beats. When we
age the arteries can become
narrowed from cholesterol and
plaque build up or they become
stiff so it takes more heart
pressure to move the blood.
Tension from stress can also
cause the heart to have to work
harder.
Blood pressure readings higher
than 140 over 90 is stage 1
hypertension and must be
treated. Readings higher than
160 over 100 will cause more
damage and must be reduced
quickly. When the readings are
above 180/110 it is urgent to
reduce the heart load and
tension on the arteries. The
blood pressure will be elevated
under stress. A hectic drive or
even the doctor can make the
readings higher. When tension
causes the pressure to be more
than 140 over 90 it should be
monitored with help from the
doctor.
When a patient has hypertension
the doctor first rules out other
causes such as kidney trouble.
When there is no other part of
the body causing the problem it
is called essential
hypertension.
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 The
first approach is to make
lifestyle changes.
Exercise is essential. Herbal
treatments only work if the
patient exercises every day at
least 30 minutes. Even drug
therapy will work better with
exercise. A plan to do aerobic
exercise at least 4 days a week
is important to maintain health.
Commit to a plan.
Diet is known to be very
important. The DASH (Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
diet is proven to help. There
are books and Internet resources
for the basics on this diet. The
diet is high in fruit and
vegetables and low in fat.
Review the previous newsletter
on heart health from February
2007 on our website.
Eating vegetarian helps.
Perhaps start with a "Meatless
Monday" (using beans, soy and
vegetable dishes) and "Fish
Fridays". Eliminate the worst
offenders such as hamburger and
other fatty meats. If you are
not completely vegetarian at
least reduce meat to 3 ounces
daily and increase the
vegetables to fill up.
Vegetables are high in minerals
and help reduce blood pressure.
They fill you up with lower
calorie content and are low
fat.
There is a hereditary factor
that makes some people salt
sensitive. The genetic tests
are available through our
office. A trial of one month
without salt is another way to
check this. It means reading
labels and avoiding foods that
come with salt, not just
avoiding the saltshaker. All of
us benefit by reducing our
consumption of salt. The first
step is to eat fresh food that
has not been processed and
packaged. For example raw nuts,
carrots and apples are better
than crackers, chips and
packaged treats.
Weight loss is important unless
you are already too thin.
Weight loss automatically will
lower blood pressure. For every
kilo (2.2 pounds) the pressure
will drop 1.6/1.1 points. In
some people a 10-pound weight
loss can mean a drug is not
necessary.
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 If
your blood pressure is edging
upward there are many herbs that
can be added to a healthier
lifestyle.
Use garlic, ginger, celery and
onions liberally in your food.
One clove of garlic daily can
lower the pressure by 8 points.
Capsules with combinations of
herbs are available at the
center.
Some herbs directly lower the
pressure by effects on the blood
volume or making the blood
vessels relax and others help
people relax more when they have
stressful situations. Melatonin
has been found to lower
nighttime blood pressure. This
is a hormone that helps us fall
asleep, so it is taken at
bedtime.
Melatonin has been found to have
many side effects including
reduced risk of cancer and less
irritable bowel. Nature often
provides us with helpful
therapies that include
beneficial side effects.
All people should use the
lifestyle methods to prevent
illness and hypertension. If
your blood pressure has been
creeping upward the herbs can
bring it back down. Herbs can
also be used with blood pressure
drugs to lower the amount of
medication necessary to control
the blood pressure. By lowering
the amount of drug needed the
patient can reduce side effects.
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