Treating Hypertension 'Naturally'

"Meditation, not medication," is the advice Robert Schneider, MD, gives when it comes to high blood pressure treatment. It's not his only advice, but it's right up there at the top of his list.

Schneider, dean of the College of Maharishi Vedic Medicine at the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, is also director of the university's government-sponsored Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention, one of 16 such centers in the country. Schneider has been researching the positive effects of the ancient medical science of maharishi vedic medicine -- of which transcendental meditation (TM) is key --for the past 15 years.

Causes of high blood pressure

In more than 90% of cases, the cause of high blood pressure (hypertension) is unknown but several factors can increase your risk of developing the condition.

Where there is no specific cause, high blood pressure is referred to by doctors as primary or essential hypertension.

Factors that can raise your risk of developing primary hypertension include:

    age – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
    a family history of high blood pressure (the condition seems to run in families)
    being of African or Caribbean origin
    a high amount of salt in your food
    a lack of exercise
    being overweight or obese
    smoking
    drinking large amounts of alcohol

Known causes

About 10% of high blood pressure cases are the result of an underlying condition or cause. These cases are referred to as secondary hypertension. 

Source : www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-pressure-%28high%29/Pages/Causes.aspx

How blood pressure is controlled

When the heart contracts, the blood inside the left ventricle is forced out into the aorta and arteries. The blood then enters small vessels with muscular walls, called arterioles. The tone in the muscular walls of the arterioles determines how relaxed or constricted they are. If narrowed, they resist flow.

Reduced flow of blood is detected in the brain, the kidneys and elsewhere. Nerve reflexes are stimulated and hormones are then produced. The heart is induced to beat more forcefully so that blood pressure is maintained at a higher level, to overcome the restricted flow through the arterioles. The achievement of good flow (now at high pressure) eases possible problems for function of the brain and kidneys.

These adjustments occur normally. However, in some people the adjustments become fixed and high blood pressure persists. These people have developed hypertension.

How blood pressure is measured

Hypertension can be mild, moderate or severe. Your blood pressure is naturally higher when you are exerting yourself, such as during physical exercise. It is only a concern if your blood pressure is high when you are at rest, because this means your heart is overworked and your arteries have extra stress in their walls.

Blood pressure readings are a combination of two measurements. These are:

    Systolic – is the highest pressure against the arteries as the heart pumps. The normal systolic pressure is usually between 110 and 130mmHg.
    Diastolic – is the pressure against the arteries as the heart relaxes and fills with blood. The normal diastolic pressure is usually between 70 and 80mmHg.

Source : www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/hypertension_means_high_blood_pressure

Living and Coping with high Blood pressure With Yoga

Grapefruit Juice Affects On Medication

Most medicines aren't affected by grapefruit juice, but more than 50 medicines are -- including those for high blood pressure. Is yours on the list? Find out.
Reducing Salt Intake

Eating less sodium may help lower your high blood pressure. These five tips show you how to cut back.
DASH Diet

Small changes can have a big impact on your health. Here are several handy tips on how to incorporate the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet into your daily life.

Preventing high blood pressure Naturally

Having high blood pressure can be prevented by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking.
Diet

Cut down on the amount of salt in your food and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. The eatwell plate highlights the different types of food that make up our diet, and shows the proportions we should eat them in to have a well balanced and healthy diet.

Salt raises your blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure. Aim to eat less than 6g (0.2oz) of salt a day, which is about a teaspoonful. Find out more about how to cut down on salt.

Eating a low-fat diet that includes lots of fibre (for example, wholegrain rice, bread and pasta) and plenty of fruit and vegetables helps lower blood pressure. Fruit and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals and fibre that keep your body in good condition. Aim to eat five 80g portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Find out more about getting your 5 A DAY.

Source : www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-pressure-%28high%29/Pages/Prevention.aspx

Learn which foods to eat and which foods to avoid to lower blood pressure naturally

If you have high blood pressure, your diet is one of the primary ways by which you can lower your blood pressure numbers without medication. Combined with appropriate lifestyle changes and targeted nutritional support, changing your diet can not only reduce your blood pressure numbers, but significantly improve your overall cardiovascular health. Here are some recommendations to help you get started.

Foods that can help lower blood pressure:

    Celery
    Fish or Fish Oil
    Pomegranate Juice
    Hibiscus Tea
    Beets
    Fiber
    Guava

Foods to avoid if you have high blood pressure:

    Sugar
    Alcohol
    Fat

Celery

Doctors at the University of Chicago studying the Oriental custom of using celery as a food to lower blood pressure discovered that celery contains the chemical 3-n-butyl phthalide. This smoothes the muscles lining blood vessels, which increases vessel diameter and allows for easier blood flow at lower pressures.

Using the recommended Oriental dosages to lower mild cases of high blood pressure, one would eat about four ounces of celery (about a cup of chopped celery) daily. You should begin to see results after only a week or two.

Source : www.drdavidwilliams.com/foods-that-lower-blood-pressure/

The two types of high blood pressure.

Primary (essential) hypertension

For most adults, there's no identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure, called essential hypertension or primary hypertension, tends to develop gradually over many years.
Secondary hypertension

Some people have high blood pressure caused by an underlying condition. This type of high blood pressure, called secondary hypertension, tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than does primary hypertension. Various conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension, including:

    Kidney problems
    Adrenal gland tumors
    Thyroid problems
    Certain defects in blood vessels you're born with (congenital)
    Certain medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs
    Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
    Alcohol abuse or chronic alcohol use
    Obstructive sleep apnea


Source : www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/basics/causes/con-20019580

Known causes

About 10% of high blood pressure cases are the result of an underlying condition or cause. These cases are referred to as secondary hypertension. 

Common causes of secondary hypertension include:

    kidney disease
    diabetes
    narrowing of the arteries (large blood vessels) supplying the kidneys
    hormonal conditions, such as Cushing's syndrome
    conditions that affect the body’s tissue, such as lupus
    oral contraceptive pill
    painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
    recreational drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystal methamphetamine
    herbal remedies, such as herbal supplements

Source : www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-pressure-%28high%29/Pages/Causes.aspx