High Blood Pressure Medicine

By Aasheesh Jain

1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. According to National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, when your systolic pressure of blood is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure of blood is greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg, you are medically suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension.

However, you may or may not observe hypertension symptoms even at this level. Thus high blood pressure is rightly termed as a silent killer. Many a times, it takes a substantial time to identify the prevailing high blood pressure condition in the person.

Now, these are the cases of uncomplicated hypertension that reflect no or very few symptoms of high blood pressure. Medically, these cases wherein particularly no cause is identified are termed as cases of essential hypertension.

However if your hypertension is a result of some particular condition or medication, you ought to show certain symptoms. This type of high blood pressure is termed as secondary hypertension.

After you have identified your condition, you require to treat it with the combo of lifestyle changes and prescribed medications.

The required lifestyle changes for controlling your high blood pressure include following a diet that is low in sodium. You can achieve this by putting less salt content in your food preparation. Also, adopt good habits such as exercising regularly, stopping smoking, shunning extra pounds and avoiding intake of excessive alcohol.

Well, to understand high blood pressure, you need to understand your body. Blood pressure has no defined symptoms. Meet your doctor if you experience frequent headaches, blurry or impaired vision or sudden black-outs. Excessive perspiration, too much urination, irregular heartbeat or palpitation and feeling weakness are the other sub-ways that can lead you to high blood pressure.

Be more careful if you have any of these signs repeatedly bothering you. These conditions are not the result of high blood pressure, but they can take you to the pedestal of blood pressure.

Along these lifestyle changes, you need to be committed towards the prescribed anti hypertension medications. Never skip the prescribed doses of medicines even for a day. The blood pressure medication mainly depends on several factors such as your age and ethnicity. The commonly prescribed medicines for high pressure include ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and beta-blockers.

All in all, have a strict routine with both the medicines as well as the lifestyle changes. Make it a habit to check your blood pressure regularly at home. In fact buy a digital blood pressure monitor and note down the readings to maintain a record of blood pressure levels. This will further help you keep a strict vigil over your blood pressure condition. This is important, for most of the people do not show any symptoms as such.

By Michael Russell

There is no evidence that average blood pressure in the whole of the general population has risen over the seventy or so years over which measurements are available. There is some indirect evidence that it may be lowered and may still be falling quite independently of medical treatment. Whatever the definition of high blood pressure used, the proportion of people with high blood pressure is directly related to average pressure throughout the population.

Standardized and accurate measurements of blood pressure for large representative populations have only been available since the 1950s in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and the United States and more recently for other countries. There is some evidence from countries whose general diet has shifted from very high to much lower salt intakes - specifically Japan, Belgium and Portugal - that average blood pressure in the general population has fallen, probably for this reason. These reductions in salt intake reflect shifts in methods of food preservation from the traditional methods of salting, pickling and smoking to the modern methods of refrigeration and rapid transport of fresh food. As these changes have occurred in most economically developed countries, average blood pressure has probably fallen everywhere, compared with average levels in the 19th century.

Research in the USA has always shown higher average blood pressures in poorer people. Although research in this country in the 1950s and 1960s failed to show any systematic difference between social groups, this seemed to have changed by the 1980s, with higher average blood pressure in poorer populations throughout the UK. These differences in average blood pressures are not too large, but differences in other risk factors for heart disease show the same trend. Although there is some evidence that coronary heart disease became common after World War I and that it started among rich people, ever since the 1950s it has more and more become a disease for poorer people. This is partly because of the difference in smoking habits, but some of the changes to the pattern may now be caused by these variations in average blood pressure and perhaps by access to accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

It should be noted that blood pressure also varies between races and different sorts of societies, but why it does is not an easy question to answer. A number of different factors have been considered. High blood pressure is a serious problem throughout black Africa and black people in North America have much higher blood pressure and stroke problems than Caucasians. However, the differences between black and white North Americans disappear if differences in income are taken into consideration. In the 1960s and 1970s, comparisons between British citizens of Afro-Caribbean and European descent showed no differences, but more recent studies have begun to show the same differences an in the USA.

These differences are evident in the social aspect, rather than racial and social differences in average blood pressure seem to depend mainly on income differences. When North American incomes were much more polarized than British incomes, social differences in the average blood pressure were much higher in the USA than in the UK, but there is evidence that as these societies converge, social differences in average blood pressure are becoming similar in the two countries.

Recent changes in the national health care system contract for general practitioners should have led to most people with high blood pressure being identified, although it is much more doubtful whether most of these are followed up with effective treatment. If all general practice teams developed cardiovascular follow-up clinics for high blood pressure on the same lines as the best have already done and all their patients were treated to the level of quality attained in large clinical trials, an additional 15% of fatal strokes would be prevented and probably 5% of coronary heart disease.

By Javier Fuller

There is direct relation between alcohol and blood pressure. Not a happy relationship. You pay for the alcohol and buy blood pressure and again pay for treating the blood pressure! The double loss game!

This is just one strong reason. The disease of blood pressure is due to various other reasons. The crush of the materialistic modern civilization is too much to bear in the metropolitan cities. The modern modes of relaxation have capacity to create further tension! Take for example, one of the entertainment utility-Television!

If you view the News Channel, your mind is likely to get more agitated. Instead of peace of mind, you get piece of mind!

These problems are interrelated and it is difficult to segregate the cause and effect, once you are trapped. For example, too much of alcohol, is the cause of high blood pressure. It is also responsible for weight increase.

Weight increase in itself is the cause of blood pressure. If you take medication for weight loss, again it has the potentialities for side effects. To treat the side effects, your doctor will again give some more medicines. The vicious cycle goes on. You will soon reach a stage, where you suffer form all sorts of deficiencies and diseases.

Blood pressure is only the cover. It has a solid back-up. Many serious, life-threatening diseases are waiting in the side-wings to take over once you are a patient of high blood pressure. They are heart diseases, heart attack, kidney failure, nervous breakdown and many others.

Forget medications for a while. I am not telling you that they are of no use. But the strategy of the moment is to change your lifestyle. Change in your food habits. Think positively that you are capable of beating blood pressure. Just give up junk food for ever. That is one of the contributing factors for your constipation, which again is one of the reasons for increase in your blood pressure.

If you are taking more than 2 spoonfuls salt per day, it is time to cut it. Give up processed foods and switch over to fruits and vegetables. Limit the sweets. Have a regular schedule of exercises. Meditation, breathing exercises, cycling, jogging, brisk walking, all these count a lot in reducing your blood pressure.

Along with the changed habits, develop a habit of thinking positively. Your supreme will power can cure any type of blood pressure.

By Javier Fuller

2061

Don't always look up. Look down sometimes. Watch the bulge of your stomach. It has been faithfully receiving the load, three or more times in a day, without questioning you once. But there is a limit to one's tolerance or acceptance. When your body shrinks too much or expands too much, positively think that something is wrong somewhere.

Over the years, your life-style has changed too much. For your trouser, you require two meters of cloth. Years ago, it was just 1.25 meters. The change is on the wrong side. And did your doctor say that you are having high blood pressure?

So far, you have been thinking that lifestyle changes refer only to your apparel. Or, to install additional amenities to make your life more cozy and comfortable. You thought that a 'healthy' and well built personality like you is not a fit candidate for the blood pressure attack! The first attack itself nearly wiped out the sources of strength in your body. You felt tired and exhausted.

Yours could be the stress related blood pressure. Could be! Not sure! This again is another highlight of blood pressure. Till today, the precise reasons for blood pressure are not known. But lifestyle changes have treated very well, majority of the high blood pressure patients. So, when the result is declared that you have passed, why worry about the examiner and the examination center?

Go placidly amidst this noise and din of life. Do not own up too many responsibilities. Everything is happening in this world, as it should. The earth rotates on its axis. Don't consider yourself so important that you are an additional axis. By managing your stress properly, you will not only take care of your blood pressure, but your quality of life will also improve.

Enough of that late night alcohol parties! If you still persist, in not too a distant future one of your still living friend will announce in a sad tone, 'the late Mr. so and so,' used to attend these late night parties!

I am going to tell you some simple things to beat back blood pressure. Exercise regularly, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, meditate and do some breathing exercises. And report to me the miracles that are taking place in your life!

By Paul Newland

Hypertension affects over 20% of the population and more and more people are now looking to high blood pressure alternative treatments and lifestyle changes to improve their health. In fact, if you read about the side-effects of your current medication, I'm sure you will be tempted to take a look at alternative treatments as well.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the resistance the blood encounters as it is pumped through the arteries. Blood pressure is represented as the systolic pressure (when the heart is contracting) over the diastolic pressure (the pause before the next beat).

If your resting blood pressure is consistently over 140/80, you have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is not actually a disease but is an indicator of increased risk of stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. It is also associated with coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, kidney problems, obesity, diabetes, food allergies and endocrine gland problems which cause hormone imbalances.

According to health and longevity expert, Dr Joel Wallach, when considering a high blood pressure alternative treatment the most common reason for high blood pressure is a calcium deficiency. As a result, people suffering calcium deficiency diseases - such as osteoporosis, arthritis, kidney stones, muscle cramps and twitches etc - also suffer from high blood pressure.

It can be a silent disease, however other symptoms can include dizziness, a red face, headaches, fatigue and ringing in the ears.

Diet and Lifestyle for High Blood Pressure Alternative Treatment

There are some lifestyle and dietary changes you can make, starting immediately:

� Drink approximately eight glasses of water per day.

� Quit smoking and avoid caffeinated drinks.

� Consume a high fibre, low fat diet with plenty of vegetables.

� Avoid sugar, refined flour, fried foods and margarine.

� Reduce your intake of red meat.

� If you're overweight - you need to lose weight and finally,

� Stress management can also have a dramatic affect and is being used by a number of medical practitioners.

Health Supplements for High Blood Pressure Alternative Treatment

Natural health supplements for helping high blood pressure should include:

� Plant derived colloidal minerals - which contain a highly absorbable form of calcium and other minerals and

� Calcium and magnesium supplements can work well - make sure you buy something high quality because these two minerals are in fact very hard for the body to absorb

� Essential fatty acids as fish oil may reduce the 'stickiness' of the blood and help by reducing levels of 'bad cholesterol'.

� A good multivitamin complex is useful as a high blood pressure alternative treatment and should contain Coenzyme Q-10, antioxidant vitamins A, C & E and the herb Hawthorne Berry. These provide nutritional support for the cardiovascular system.

When combined with a sensible diet, weight loss and some exercise, you will be amazed at the results you can achieve without the use of heavy drugs.
Of course, we always recommend you work with your health care professional - in fact tell him or her you would like to start with a high blood pressure alternative treatment program. That way your medication can be monitored and reduced as the effects of lifestyle and nutrition begin to assist you on your way to better health.

Copyright http://www.Global-Longevity.com

Paul Newland is a health writer, sports training consultant and martial arts instructor and manages the Global-Longevity.com website.
He is the author of numerous health information books and guides, including the Wellness Report, The Ultimate Antioxidant Report, The Selenium Report, The Bird Flu Report, The Ultimate Nutrient Guide and The Essential Fatty Acid Report and The Ultimate Sports Nutrition Guide - available Free (for a limited time) through Global-Longevity.com

By Rudy Silva

If you have high blood pressure you are at risk for a heart attack or stroke. The amount of risk depends on how high your blood pressure is and how long it has been this way. Here is a range of blood pressures and how they rate:

Normal 120/80
Border 120/90 to 160/94
Mild 140/95 to 160/104
Moderate 140/105 to 180/114
Severe 160 plus/115 plus

Regardless what your blood pressure is, it is best to always watch your diet and become informed as to how you can maintain good health though out your body.

If you have high blood pressure, here is a high blood pressure recipe using natural products and foods. This recipe will not only help your high blood pressure but will improve your immune system.

High blood pressure responds well to natural remedies and methods. Many Alternative Practitioners recommend not using drugs for high blood pressure because they can be more dangerous to your health than the high blood pressure. High blood pressure drug side effects create an increase risk of heart disease.

A High Blood Pressure Recipe for Long Life

Here is a recipe to follow to lower your high blood pressure.

Use a good mineral supplement

Use Arjuna daily for good cardiovascular health

Exercise and lose weight

Reduce the fat you eat

Eat more fiber

Take a good fish oil supplement

Mineral Supplement for a high blood pressure recipe

The minerals calcium, potassium and magnesium have all been found to keep blood pressure low. These minerals and many more come from eating fruits and vegetables of all colors. Also drink fruit and vegetables juices alone or combined to get a strong dose of minerals that shoot quickly into your blood stream.

Eat as many fruits and vegetables in the morning until noontime. This helps your body to get rid of toxins that affect your overall health.

Add these foods to your diet for minerals: bananas, figs, cantaloupe, apricots, avocados, cherries, grapes, mangos, beans, and sunflower seeds.

Exercise and Weight loss for a high blood pressure recipe

If you are overweight than losing weight and getting it into your ideal weight gives you the most benefits for lowing your blood pressure. Get into a daily exercise pattern. A treadmill or daily brisk walk will give you great benefits for lowering blood pressure.

Diet for a high blood pressure recipe

Here are some of the things that you should add or eliminate from your diet.

Reduce that amount of fat that you eat. By eating less meat you decrease the amount of fat you eat. Also eating less dairy products will decrease the amount of fat your body has to process.

Eat more fiber. You can get fiber from fruits and vegetables and bran. Eat a vegetable salad with your lunch and dinner.

Add a good fish oil supplement

Use the India herb called Arjuna. This herb is good for your complete cardiovascular system. It an inexpensive herb and it makes plenty of sense to use it.

Master this high blood pressure recipe and watch your blood pressure go down. Once you get it down, refine this recipe for more results and better health.

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. For more tips and information on what you need to do to lower you high blood pressure or to make sure you don't get high blood pressure go to: http://www.high-blood-pressure-remedies.com

By Josh Riverside

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is measured in numbers based on the systolic and diastolic pressures of the blood. Systolic pressure measures the force in the arteries when the heart beats, while the diastolic pressure measures this force when the heart is at rest or relaxed. These measurements are shown in sequence from top to bottom - the systolic pressure measurement on top and the diastolic pressure measurement at the bottom.

A small, portable instrument called a blood pressure cuff or sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure. This consists of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff and measures the blood pressure in units called millimeters of mercury. If your reading is 110/70, you don't have to worry because it is a healthy blood pressure. But if it is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure, it means you have a high blood pressure, and you should seek medical attention.

What causes hypertension? For more than 90% of people with high blood pressure, the cause is unidentifiable. This is referred to as primary or essential hypertension. A secondary hypertension, on the other hand, has underlying causes that include diseases in the arteries, chronic kidney diseases, chronic alcohol abuse, hormonal disturbances and preeclampsia. Certain medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants can cause secondary hypertension.

Many people do not take high blood pressure seriously. But little do they know that this is dangerous, because it causes the heart to work extra hard. You should be aware that the more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure will be. And once this becomes uncontrollable, you increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart attacks and stroke. So, why let this happen if you can do something about it? Only a simple test is needed to detect high blood pressure. Once you know your condition, work with your doctors to control it.

High Blood Pressure provides detailed information on High Blood Pressure, High Blood Pressure Symptoms, High Blood Pressure Treatments, High Blood Pressure Medications and more. High Blood Pressure is affiliated with Discount Hearing Aids.

By Josh Riverside

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is measured in numbers based on the systolic and diastolic pressures of the blood. Systolic pressure measures the force in the arteries when the heart beats, while the diastolic pressure measures this force when the heart is at rest or relaxed. These measurements are shown in sequence from top to bottom - the systolic pressure measurement on top and the diastolic pressure measurement at the bottom.

A small, portable instrument called a blood pressure cuff or sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure. This consists of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff and measures the blood pressure in units called millimeters of mercury. If your reading is 110/70, you don't have to worry because it is a healthy blood pressure. But if it is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure, it means you have a high blood pressure, and you should seek medical attention.

What causes hypertension? For more than 90% of people with high blood pressure, the cause is unidentifiable. This is referred to as primary or essential hypertension. A secondary hypertension, on the other hand, has underlying causes that include diseases in the arteries, chronic kidney diseases, chronic alcohol abuse, hormonal disturbances and preeclampsia. Certain medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants can cause secondary hypertension.

Many people do not take high blood pressure seriously. But little do they know that this is dangerous, because it causes the heart to work extra hard. You should be aware that the more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure will be. And once this becomes uncontrollable, you increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart attacks and stroke. So, why let this happen if you can do something about it? Only a simple test is needed to detect high blood pressure. Once you know your condition, work with your doctors to control it.

High Blood Pressure provides detailed information on High Blood Pressure, High Blood Pressure Symptoms, High Blood Pressure Treatments, High Blood Pressure Medications and more. High Blood Pressure is affiliated with Discount Hearing Aids.

High Blood Pressure? Natural Alternatives Can Help!

By Roger Jirves

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that can lead= to stroke, enlarged heart, congestive heart failure, kidney and eye damage, atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries, and premature death.

According to a recent report released in The New England Journal of Medicine of 16,000 adults surveyed over the age of 24, nearly 30 percent had blood pressure of at least 140/90 and more than one-third of them were unaware of their condition.

Blood pressure refers to the force of the bloodstream against the walls of the arteries as they deliver blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Normal, healthy blood pressure ranges from about 110/80 to as high as 140/90. The higher number refers to systolic pressure, which is the hearts contractions. The second number, the diastolic pressure, measures the rests between heartbeats. Here are the categories to consider when evaluating blood pressure:

• Normal - Less than 140/90
• Borderline - 141/91 to 159/94
Tip! Activity - people who lead active lives are much less likely to develop high blood pressure or heart and artery disease.
• High - 160/95 or more

Although there are still questions about the roots of essential hypertension, many researchers name two culprits: The typical American diet and lifestyle factors. Following are 9 major factors that can contribute to this potentially deadly condition:

1. High-fat, high-sodium diet . . . Interestingly, vegetarians who normally eat a low-fat, low-sodium diet have a profoundly lower incidence of hypertension than non-vegetarians.

2. Fat imbalance . . . Too much saturated fat in the diet. We need more essential fatty acids to help clear the system of fat solids.

3. Nutritional deficiencies . . . People whose diets are low in potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamin C are at greater risk of hypertension.

4. Obesity . . . High blood pressure is almost six times more common among overweight people ages 20 to 44, and twice as common in those 45 to 74

5. Smoking . . . Chronic smoking decreases blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.

6. Alcohol . . . Heavy drinking is another indicator of high blood pressure.

7. Stress . . . In many instances, stress can be the major factor causing high blood pressure.

8. Atherosclerosis . . . A buildup of fatty deposits can narrow the blood vessels, leading to a rise in blood pressure. The increased resistance means the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body, placing it under strain.

9. High sugar intake . . . People who had more sugar in their diet had markedly increased blood pressure.

Anti-Hypertensive Diet Guidelines

The following recommendations can help you keep your blood pressure at healthier levels:

• Follow a low-fat diet.


• Increase your intake of potassium, magnesium and calcium.


• Reduce your intake of salt.


• Restrict your consumption of refined sugars.


• Exercise more often. Since excess body fat is a primary risk factor in hypertension, it is critical to maintain a healthy weight. The importance of regular exercise cannot be over-emphasized.

For most people, the sodium/potassium ratio is more significant than sodium alone. We should be consuming about five times more potassium than sodium (5:1), but the typical American diet includes half as much potassiumas sodium (1:2).

By eating more POTASSIUM-rich foods, you can reverse the ratio and promote healthy blood pressure. Foods such as bananas, oranges, tangerines, beans, dried peas, and potatoes provide a wealth of natural potassium.

MAGNESIUM is another vital nutrient for blood pressure. It is believed that magnesium activates the bodys cellular membrane pump, which pumps sodium out and potassium into the cells. Some clinical trials have shown that magnesium supplementation reduces blood pressure. Magnesium- rich foods include nuts (especially almonds, cashews, and pecans), rice, bananas, potatoes, wheat germ, kidney and lima beans, peas, soy products, molasses, oat, bran, and fish.

CALCIUM is important. People with high blood pressure are advised to increase Calcium intake and to eat more calcium-rich foods such as nuts, salmon, sardines, low-fat dairy foods, watercress, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens.

Here is a list of other nutritional supplements that can help prevent high blood pressure:

• HAWTHORNE is an herb that has been shown to widen blood vessels, especially the coronary arteries.
• CAYENNE reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, which can lead to hypertension.
• VALERIAN has sedative activity, which has a beneficial effect on blood pressure.
• VITAMIN C supplementation has exerted a valuable blood-pressure-lowering effect in people by promoting the excretion of lead, which is linked to hypertension.
• COQ10 shows promise for hypertensives. Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that naturally occurs in our bodies and can be supplemented to assure adequate daily intake.
Tip! Age - it is common for high blood pressure to increase with age. Therefore older people are more at risk of high blood pressure than those who are younger.
• GARLIC helps reduce cholesterol as well as blood pressure.

Roger Jirves an authorized dealer of the Vitamin Power line of Quality Nutritional Supplements and personal care products.

By Nicholas Webb

You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it has been clinically accepted that increasing the intake of soy based foods can reduce levels of LDL cholesterol as much as some statin drugs.

Well, now it seems that soybeans have another health-giving quality: they also reduce blood pressure.

This latest finding is making quite a bit of noise in medical circles and not without reason. Can you imagine how hard the two largest drug markets (cholesterol and blood pressure) would be hit if the American Heart Association or the American College of Cardiology released a statement saying that soybeans can reduce bad cholesterol and control blood pressure? Just think about it. But that's where it will stop; in your thoughts. With all the lobbying power of the giant pharmaceutical industry, I seriously doubt that such a statement from an internationally recognized source will ever be released.

However, to date more than 40 clinical trials have clearly shown that soya protein can reduce cholesterol in men and women. The effective dose of soy protein per day appears to range between 25 and 50 grams. Now initial studies show that it is also useful in fighting high blood pressure.

Soybean protein lowers blood pressure

In a report from the Annals of Internal Medicine (July 2005), it seems that use of soybean protein dietary supplements may help reduce high blood pressure.

Soybean products have been commonplace in Asian diets for centuries, and soybeans, as well as its derivative products have long been available in our local health stores and supermarkets. Research has shown that food items like tofu and soymilk can reduce cholesterol levels and lower risks for cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis. If we add the ability to fight high blood pressure to the list of illness and diseases that soy foods are able to combat, then we might just have a super disease killer on our hands.

In the study covered by the Annals, a group of American and Chinese researchers focused on 300 Chinese patients suffering from hypertension. One group was and given 40gms of soy protein while the second group was given wheat-based carbohydrates.

The objective of the trial was to examine the effect of soybean protein supplementation on blood pressure in persons with pre-hypertension or Stage 1 hypertension. The results showed that Soybean protein supplementation resulted in a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As such, increased intake of soybean protein may play an important role in preventing and treating hypertension.

The researchers of Tulane University, New Orleans say it's unclear how soybean products might reduce blood pressure. One theory is that soy proteins widen blood vessels while helping the body do a better job of processing blood sugar.

In a related editorial, Dr. Jeffrey A. Cutler and Dr. Eva Obarzanek of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, state that the new study provides "another important link between blood pressure and dietary macronutrient intake," but add that further studies are needed before soybean supplements can be recommended to patients with high blood pressure.

Soybeans, soymilk, tofu, bean sprouts, meat substitutes, cookies and even soy-based ice cream are all commonly available. Maybe it is better that you don't wait for the big medical institutions to start singing praises about soybeans. If you want an edge, perhaps now is the time to start making some changes to your diet. Throw in 40 minutes exercise four times a week and your high blood pressure will really take a dive.

About the author:
Nicholas Webb, of AllAbout Heart Disease, speaks and writes with a passion telling it is as it is; helping others to live life to the full. This article is extracted from his newsletter "The Web's Heart".

To subscribe, or read other articles visit The Web's Heart To learn more about how to beat heart disease and get into shape visit: http://www.AllAbout-Heart-Disease.com

By Kathryn Whittaker

It is a well-known fact that heart diseases and excess body weight are related. Obesity, heavy alcohol consumption and lack of activity are the main factors causing high blood pressure. Too much body fat leads to an increased risk of health problems through clogging the blood vessels with cholesterol. That is why the successful treatment of high blood pressure starts with following a diet specifically aimed at reducing high blood pressure.

If you already have high blood pressure, you cannot reverse it to low permanently. Instead, you can control your high blood pressure by taking a prescribed medication and amending your diet. Research has shown that a high blood pressure diet can effectively prevent blood pressure from rising above normal.

Today, most of our meals still contain more fat than the government recommends, and most of the vending machines and fast-food options do not meet the nutritional standards set by the U.S. government. With fast-food snacks available at every corner, it's often hard to switch to a healthy diet.

High blood pressure diets are designed to decrease sodium, increase potassium, and lessen calories. This way you will maintain a reasonable weight. This diet consists of foods that are delicious and low in fat such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins.

Here are some simple tips to help you follow your high blood pressure diet guidelines:

1. Make sure you eat a healthy breakfast. Eating in the morning will increase your energy and will help you avoid snacks before lunch. A quick breakfast can be as easy as a bowl of cereal, a slice of whole-wheat toast, cereal bar or fresh fruit.

2. When following your high blood pressure diet, your daily food intake must include foods from five food groups:

� Protein: Eat meats that are lower in fat, such as chicken, turkey, tuna, or low-fat luncheon meats. Make salads with a low fat meat or vegetables and light salad dressing.

� Grains: Always try eating a whole wheat version of your favorite bread, be it a loaf, a bagel or a roll.

� Vegetables: Eat tomatoes, peppers, baby carrots and other colorful vegetables as many as you like. The brighter the vegetable, the more antioxidant vitamin A it contains.

� Fruits: Fruits should be eaten fresh. Fruit has fiber and healthy calories, and you will want to eat less during the day. Juice has fructose which fills up with energy. That's why juice should become a part of a healthy breakfast along with a cereal.

� Dairy: Try low-fat or non-fat milk, non-fat chocolate milk, and low-fat cheese. Basically, any type of cottage cheese or yogurt goes well with fruit.

If you want to avoid facing complicated and often life-threatening consequences of high blood pressure, you may want to ensure that you and your family eat healthy meals that don't pack on the pounds and raise your cholesterol.

Emphasizing healthy food choices can help you enjoy your meals without excessive fat, sugar, and calories. Healthy food choices can be a carry-over from healthy menu and meal planning at home while managing your high blood pressure with diet.

Switching to a diet without excessive fat and salt and staying fit will help you loose weight and can help prevent or at least delay heart-related problems. Along with monitoring and medication treatment, a high blood pressure diet can help control your blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke, kidney and heart failure and heart attack.

See your doctor before making any diet or lifestyle changes.

Kathryn writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Blood Pressure please visit Blood Pressure Resources article page

By Stewart Hare

Hypertension is commonly known as high blood pressure. A healthy young adult resting blood pressure should be around 120/80 mmHg, blood pressure rises with age, a typically healthy 50 year old should have blood pressure reading of 150/90 mmHg at rest. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is diagnosed when the blood pressure is constantly above 160/95 mmHg at rest.

The contributing factors to hypertension (high blood pressure) are kidney and hormonal disease, a genetically predisposed family history to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, high consumption of dietary salt (sodium chloride), low dietary calcium, depletion in magnesium, obesity, low intake of potassium salts, a high consumption of sugar , high alcohol consumption, high consumption of caffeine especially in beverages such as tea and coffee, smoking, high saturated fats intake, consumption of liquorice, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the taking of the contractive pill, toxic material such as lead and cadmium, food allergy, lack of exercise and stress.

Usually, hypertension (high blood pressure) is without symptoms but typical symptoms of hypertension (high blood pressure) which are reported are feeling dizzy, tired and having headaches. If hypertension (high blood pressure) is left unchecked then blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, heart and brain can become damaged causing serious conditions such as impaired eyesight, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes. A man with hypertension (high blood pressure) in his 40's is 30 times more likely to have a stroke than a man not suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure).

Changing your dieting and lifestyle can reduce the health risks associated with hypertension (high blood pressure). Avoid salt, excess alcohol, caffeine, stress and quit smoking, keep to a low fat, low cholesterol diet which is high in fresh organic fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, this should provide plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, potassium and fibre, take up regular exercise, if overweight try to loss it and try not to reuse vegetable oil for frying.

Supplements that have shown good results in reducing hypertension (high blood pressure) are Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), fish oil, garlic tablets and potassium.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure)

Achillea wilhelmsii

Coenzyme Q10

Evening primrose oil

Fibre

Fish oil (EPA/DHA)

Garlic

Hibiscus

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Advice for a healthier natural life

Website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com

You can also read about Reducing Your High Blood Pressure Naturally here

By Moss Greene

Salt is essential to human life. But, like most good things, too much can be a killer. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute blame excess sodium (salt) as a major reason for the high blood pressure that causes 400 daily American deaths from heart attacks and stroke. These deaths are equivalent to a jet airliner crashing every single day.

The National Institutes of Health recommends less than 1.5 grams of sodium a day. The average American gets about 4 grams and consuming up to 15 grams a day is not uncommon. Limiting daily sodium to less than 1.5 grams can lower systolic blood pressure (the upper number) by as much as 5 to 10 points, which significantly reduces a person's risk of heart attack and stroke.

Sodium is found naturally in almost all foods. But added salt in processed foods is the major damaging food source of sodium. Excess salt is found in bacon, hot dogs and processed meats, as well as frozen dinners, pizza, canned soups, etc.

The grams of salt in processed foods mounts up quickly. A cup of canned soup or a couple of slices of luncheon meat can each add another gram per serving to your daily limit. A ham and cheese sandwich with mustard adds over 2.5 grams and an order of chicken fajitas with tortillas, rice, beans and guacamole adds over 3.5 grams.

65 million Americans (beginning at age 6) have high blood pressure. Another 45 million have readings between120/80 and 139/90, which is considered pre-hypertensive. According to recent research, about ninety percent of people in this "pre-hypertension" stage go on to develop full blown high blood pressure during their lifetime.

You can lower blood pressure naturally without the use of medication. Begin by eliminating processed foods and refrain from adding extra salt at the table. Find low sodium substitutes. Read labels and avoid added MSG (monosodium gluconate), sodium nitrate, nitrite, propionate, alginate, citrate, sulfite and even regular soy sauce. And be aware that baking soda, baking powder and many seasonings also contain sodium. You're better off using natural salt free herbs and spices to season your food.

Eating a healthy diet high in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat, trans fats and sodium can lower blood pressure by at least 10 to 15 points. Losing weight helps too. One study showed that people who lost only eight pounds were half as likely to have high blood pressure symptoms. Research also shows that those who exercise regularly control their blood pressure just as well as those who exercise and take hypertension medications.

Blood pressure is an important biomarker of health. Reducing your numbers by even just a few points can greatly decrease your risk of both heart disease and stroke. So, put down that salt shaker and season your next meal with the salty wisdom of good whole foods.

Moss Greene makes it easy for you to look and feel better. Visit her site at http://nutrition.bellaonline.com to learn the simple things you can do for yourself right now. Be sure to subscribe to her free newsletter - you don't want to miss a thing!

By Kevin Riley

The Mediterranean diet is not some new fad diet ... dreamed up by a weight-loss "guru" or as a new health measure. It is thousands of years old. People living along the Mediterranean Sea have been eating a natural diet ... that has been proven in numerous studies to reduce the risk of heart attack and keep blood pressure from rising.

The great thing about the Mediterranean diet is ... it's a pleasure to eat and you're much more likely to stick with it. It's easy to adopt this diet as there are no special requirements. Unlike the radical requirements of many fad diets, the Mediterranean diet doesn't ask you to make impractical changes in your eating ... it offers you a way of eating that you can maintain long-term. It will lead you to long-term health benefits.

What is a Mediterranean Diet

Amongst the people of Greece, southern France, and parts of Italy ... natural whole foods are a large part of the diet. Fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, and olive oil are the heavy hitters in protecting your heart and lowering your blood pressure. Drinking wine with meals is an old custom ... and gives even more health benefits.

The Mediterranean diet doesn't look at all fats as bad. Instead, this way of eating makes wise choices in the fats that are used. Low in saturated fat ... the Mediterranean diet is full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats.

Since mainly whole foods are eaten along the Mediterranean Sea ... the deadly trans-fats -- found in fast foods and bakery goods -- are greatly reduced.

Living on a Sea Gives you Lots of Fish

Fish are a big part of the Mediterranean diet. Eating lots of fish has been recognized as being heart protective for quite a while, now. Especially, fatty fish are good for your heart and blood pressure ... they are full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Eating fish 2-3 times a week is a great way to lower blood pressure and ensure a long, healthy life.

Lots of Olive Trees Grow Along the Mediterranean Sea

Olive trees grow on sunny hillsides ... providing both tasty olives and golden olive oil. Olive oil is used in most Mediterranean cooking ... drizzled on rough chunks of whole-grain bread, mixed in salads, used in making tomato sauces. The flavonoids in virgin olive oil lower blood pressure and increase your levels of good HDL cholesterol.

That ... and olive oil tastes great and gives off a wonderful fragrance when heated.

Nuts Are an Ancient Energy Source

Since the Stone Age, nuts have been an important source of energy. Shunned a few decades ago because of their high fat content ... nuts were given a bum rap. The fats in nuts are good fats ... healthy fats that will lower your blood pressure and protect your heart.

Just a handful of nuts -- especially walnuts -- is a tasty way to protect your heart.

Wash Your Meal Down With a Glass of Red Wine

A glass of red wine goes great with Mediterranean meals. Your heart will also enjoy the glass of wine. Red wine is rich in healthy flavonoids -- anti-oxidants that protect your heart from dangerous free radicals. Enjoy a daily glass or two and lower your blood pressure ... lower your risk of heart attack.

Recent studies have shown that light red wine drinkers have less risk than non-drinkers. Just don't over-do it.

A Great Diet to Start Today

The main feature of the Mediterranean diet is the focus on natural whole foods ... a shift away from unhealthy processed foods with their dangerous bad fats. And, the good thing is ... it's so easy to get started. Nothing radical ... just ask those who live healthy lives along the Mediterranean Sea.

Kevin Riley is the Powerful Life Guide ... a long-time natural health advocate and the author of the exciting new program "Get Natural! Drop Your Blood Pressure". Discover more about healthy eating and lifestyle at http://www.naturalbloodpressure.com

By Kevin Riley

When the demand for butter exceeded the ability of farmers to supply this desirable fat ... the search for a substitute started us on a road to trans fats, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Not until 20 years ago did we finally discover the dangers of trans fats.

How Did Trans Fats Enter our Food Supply?

In the 1860s butter was in great demand and there just wasn't enough to satisfy everybody. Emperor Louis Napoleon III offered a prize for a substitute ... and so, the first margarine was invented by a French chemist. It was created from clarified beef fat.

It wasn't until 40 years later that the process of hydrogenation was developed ... and the door to deadly trans fats was opened. Butter rationing during two worlds wars and the lower cost of margarine ... had more and more people switching to this butter substitute -- made from cheap vegetable fats.

When vegetable oils are hydrogenated ... their molecules are chemically re-arranged. This produces a fat -- trans fat -- that becomes semi-hard at room temperature. Basically, trans fats mimic the saturated fats that our taste buds love. We are naturally drawn to the taste and the consistency.

The semi-solid trans fats are great for baking ... and not expensive like butter or lard. This is a big plus for food processors ... and the reason trans fats are found in most baked goods -- as well as fried foods. While this cheap alternative to butter is a boon for the food makers ... it is a dangerous bust for consumers. In the US alone, an estimated 100,000 people die prematurely every year ... due to the use of trans fats.

So What's so Bad About Trans Fats?

Trans fats have the worst effect on your cholesterol levels of all fats. They drive up your levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol ... at the same time lowering your levels of heart-protective HDL cholesterol. Trans fats' overall effect on your cholesterol levels is ... twice as bad as the effect of saturated fats.

Recently, trans fats have also come under fire for damaging the lining of your arteries. It's this damage that leads to hardening of the arteries and higher blood pressure. The linings of your arteries play a very important role in controlling blood pressure. When these vital linings become damaged, their function is impaired -- resulting in high blood pressure.

How Can You Avoid Trans Fats?

Although trans fats were first used in margarine ... most margarines have eliminated this deadly fat. But, they're still found in many baked goods and fried foods. In fact, because of their low cost and convenience -- trans fats keep foods from spoiling -- hydrogenated oils are being used even more.

Keep clear of donuts, French fries, pastries, fast foods ... even the seemingly healthy granola bar often contains this dangerous fat. Check labels carefully ... avoid any food that contains hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Finally, a Little Help from the FDA

Fortunately, it is starting to get easier to find these dangerous trans fats -- and avoid them. As of January 2006, the FDA is requiring food makers to list the trans fat content ... on the Nutrition Facts label found on all products.

Even a small amount of trans fats in your diet is bad for your heart health. Switch over to healthier fats today. Not all fats are bad for you. In fact, some fats will even help you lower your blood pressure. Olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish will give your body a good dose of healthy fats.

Kevin Riley is a long-time natural health advocate and researcher ... and the author of the exciting new program "Get Natural! Drop Your Blood Pressure". Discover more at http://www.naturalbloodpressure.com

By Ian Mason

The American Heart Association estimates that one of three Americans have have hypertension. And yet many of us don't know what it is, why it's dangerous, and what the treatment options are.

What Is Hypertension?

Hypertension is a fancy medical word for high blood pressure.

Your blood carries nutrients and oxygen to your body, and picks up waste like carbon dioxide. The heart pumps the blood through "pipes" - blood vessels called arteries- and the blood returns to the heart through veins.

Blood pressure is the "push" of blood against the walls of the arteries. It is a good thing to have blood pressure - if blood pressure is zero, it means there's no blood moving through the arteries! But like the water pipes in a house, if the blood is being pushed too hard against the walls of the vessels, they might be damaged. Extra pressure can also contribute to creating blood clots that block needed blood supply to the brain.

Hypertension can lead to dangerous conditions including heart failure (when the heart has to work too hard just to get the blood moving around the body), stroke (interference with the blood flow in the brain), and kidney disease, to name a few.

How Do I know If I'm At Risk?

While having a family history of hypertension may increase your risk for hypertension, not all people with hypertension have family members with it. Hypertension is generally "asymptomatic" - most people don't have symptoms as they develop it - so checking your blood pressure should be a part of regular healthcare.

How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?

When your blood pressure is taken at a health clinic or doctor's office, the result is a mysterious number like this:

120 / 80

The first/top number is called the "systolic" (sis-tall-ick) blood pressure; the second/bottom, the diastolic (dye-as-tall-ick) pressure. The American Heart association recommends that the top number in adults should be no higher than 120 and the bottom no higher than 80 (children have different ranges of healthy blood pressure for different age groups - ask your pediatrician if you're concerned). If your systolic pressure is between 140 to 159 and/or your diastolic pressure is between 90 and 99, that's considered mild hypertension. Moderate to severe hypertension includes systolic pressures over 160 and/or diastolic over 100.

What Are My Treatment Options?

Treatment depends on the severity of the high blood pressure. Keep in mind that a very stressful day can increase your blood pressure readings, as (for some people) can a trip to your doctor's office. So if your blood pressure reading is on the border between healthy and hypertensive, you may need to make a return visit.

If you have a pre-hypertensive blood pressure after a repeat check, your doctor or nurse practitioner may recommend a trial of lifestyle changes that can help lower blood pressure including:

-exercise

-a lower-salt diet

-increased intake of potassium

-weight loss

-moderation of alcohol consumption

-stress reduction

However, if you have mild to severe hypertension (Stage 1 or 2), or if you have pre-hypertension in combination with conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes, your health care provider may prescribe medications.

There are many different hypertension medications. They don't all work the same way, and different ones work differently for different people, so your provider will probably have you check in to make sure the medication first prescribed is working for you. Sometimes two medications can compliment each other, so your healthcare provider may prescribe two kinds.

Once medication has been prescribed sit down with your health care provider or pharmacist and a list of all the medications you take (including over the counter medications) to make sure that there are no harmful interactions between them and tyour blood pressure medicines. In addition, keep in mind that most blood pressure medications have side effects; ask your healthcare provider to write down likely side effects for you, noting side effects and symptoms that indicate that you should come in to have your dose changed.

Most importantly, medication is not enough! Make sure to modify your lifestyle to help the medications do a good job.
"High Blood Pressure" Nidus Information Services, 2004

"Percentage of adults aged ≥20 who were ever told they had high blood pressure" Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, Center for Disease Control, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, volume 51, issue 21, 2002

"Screening for high blood pressure: recommendations and rationale,"U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, American Family Physician Volume 68, issue 10, p. 2019-22

"The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure," The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institiute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, Volume 3, no. 5233, 2003

Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD and Ian Mason, 2004-2005

Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for Online Prescription Medications, drug information and support forums.

Ian is a fat-to-fit student of health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.

By Alexander Alfimov

Thirty percent of human population has a high blood pressure and everyone has a 90% risk to acquire it during the rest of the life. As a result, half of all human deaths are due to the major complications of high blood pressure, mainly stroke and heart attack.

Medical scientists are fighting this life-threatening disease and they have gained some success. That is the development of several classes of antihypertensive drugs and definition of "normal" levels of blood pressure that should be maintained to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications and death.

Is it a great success? Unfortunately not. Pharmaceutical treatment can not reverse the disease. The patient with developed arterial hypertension can only hope to reduce the risk of high blood pressure complications. How big is this risk reduction? Relative risk reduction is less than 25% during 2-5 years for all major cardiovascular complications. It is higher for stroke (36-45%) and less for heart attacks (10-15%). When all risks are combined, the relative risk reduction is close to 25%.

Be careful and distinguish absolute and relative risk reductions. Papers and pharmaceutical ads always present relative risk reduction which is more impressive. They even do not mention that it is "relative". That is because the absolute risk reduction could be as much as 0.2-2.0%. Does not impress you, right? Let's take a clinical trial where 0.6% and 0.96% of patients had had fatal stroke in the treatment group and placebo group accordingly. Absolute risk reduction will be 0.96% - 0.60% = 0.36%, however relative risk reduction will be as much as (0.96% - 0.6%)/0.96% = 37.5%! Looks much better! Absolute risk reduction 0.36% means that from one thousand patients taking medication during 3-5 years, three or four could be saved from fatal stroke. Clinical trials don't say what will happen with those saved patients after 5 years. Presumably, the risk is postponed towards after 5 years period. Clinical trials also do not say which particular patients will be saved. It is like lottery, it could happen that 4 saved patients is just a difference between 44 saved and 40 preliminary died due to pharmaceutical side effects. Vioxx, Celebrex, Baycol are the known examples.

As you see everyone has to pay for this risk reduction not only by inconvenience and cost of pharmaceuticals, but also by the risk of unpleasant or life-threatening side effects. For the patients with high estimated risk (more than 10% during 5 years or more than 20% during 10 years) this price is considered to be a worth-while to pay.

Estimated risk is calculated by doctor. Taking the patient's age and blood pressure level, plus the presence of risk factors, such as smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, atherosclerosis and renal dysfunction, doctor can say that the risk for the cardiovascular complications of high blood pressure during 5, 10 or 20 years will be certain amount of chances For example, smoking woman, aged below 65, with abdominal obesity (waist more than 102cm) and blood pressure 140-179/90-109 mm Hg will have 15-20% absolute risk of all cardiovascular events at 10 years. Just add one more risk factor (diabetes or high cholesterol) and the risk goes up to 30%. This is high risk and the treatment is definitely required.

For the patients with initial stages of hypertension and low risk the balance between benefits and drawbacks of antihypertensive drugs is not established. There are three reasons for being reluctant to start taking antihypertensive drugs without having 10% estimated risk of cardiovascular complications.

Reason one: absolute risk reduction from, let's say, 7 % to 5 % does not look sufficient to justify long-term expensive, unsafe and inconvenient treatment.

Reason two: even if we decide to operate the relative instead of absolute risk reduction, we CAN NOT do this, because available clinical trials have demonstrated risk reduction for the high risk patients and can not be extrapolated to the low risk patients. Clinical trials on low risk patients were not performed and we do not know if the harm of the treatment overbalances the benefit.

Reason three: negative side effects of antihypertensives are well known and includes lipid, hormonal disturbances including development of diabetes. We know that for the high risk patients (read - low life expectancy) the danger from the drug treatment is less than the benefit, but we do not know and we can not know without 20-30 years studies if it is the case for the low risk patients.

That is why official guidelines do not recommend starting drug treatment at the early stage of hypertension. Modern pharmaceutical treatment can not prevent or reverse the disease; it needs to be taken for life-long to maintain blood pressure at the recommended level.

What about non-pharmaceutical treatment?

The treatment guidelines include the following non-pharmaceutical recommendations.

1. Stop smoking

2. Reduce body weight

3. Aerobic physical exercise of 30-40 min, at least 3-4 days per week

4. More fruits, vegetables and potassium, and less sodium

5. Alcohol intake not more than 20-30 g of "pure alcohol" per day (it corresponds to 150-200 ml of wine or a pint of beer)

6. Reduce stress

These non-pharmaceutical approaches have a proven efficacy in the reduction and prevention of high blood pressure. But they require substantial perseverance and will-power to comply with.

You should know how much effort is required to follow dietary restrictions or to stop smoking recommendations. Low compliance with these recommendations is usually accompanied by low compliance with drug therapy.

For people who want to be healthy and prevent or at least control this dangerous disease, there is a good news. Non-pharmaceutical recommendations really work; you will definitely reduce your risk by following them.

But people want more. People want the treatment that can effectively reverse the disease. The way to success here is in the proper coping with stresses. Stress causes activation of sympathetic system. Chronic activation of sympathetic system causes hypertension and obesity. Four out of six classes of antihypertensive drugs are designed to act upon sympathetic system.

Can we manage stress and accompanied sympathetic activation without drugs? The task is not easy. You may say that effective stress reduction is only possible after radical change of working or family environment. I may add that even after that, the man will be caught by the new stress. The problem is in people's attitude and the ability to cope with stress and to avoid chronic anger. Those who are able, live more than hundred years. The researches on centenarians have demonstrated their unique ability to avoid damaging reactions on the stressful situations.

To select most effective stress-management technique for yourself, I recommend you to try first those having proven blood pressure reducing effect, like yoga, meditation and computerized devices reducing respiration rate. Coping with stress is the obvious way to escape from Number One Killer and to live the full life span we are designed for.

Summary

Five secrets you should know about pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatment of the high blood pressure:

1. Pharmaceutical treatment should be initiated if estimated risk of cardiovascular complications is greater that 10% during 5 years or greater than 20% during 10 years.

2. The real benefit of the treatment is described by the absolute risk reduction which very often is not disclosed.

3. Side effects of the antihypertensive drugs during long-term consumption are common and serious.

4. Non-pharmaceutical treatments of hypertension really work. Although they require much more effort and will-power to implement in compare with daily chemical drugs consumption, they will protect you not only against hypertension, but also against the high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, obesity and other diseases. Plus you will get better and healthier life, with much more energy and satisfaction.

5. We must learn from centenarians how to escape diseases. Centenarians have innate ability to cope with stress; they are natural stress-shedders. They are not preoccupied with worry, hostility and anxiety. They avoid unhealthy thinking, like anger, sadness, guilt and fear. It is possible to develop such personality with modern stress-management and personal development techniques.

Dr. Alexander Alfimov M.D, Ph.D. has graduated from St. Petersburg Medical Academy in 1987. He has been working for eleven years as a head of clinical research department of the big pharmaceutical company, producing and marketing six antihypertensive drugs.

http://www.slowbreath.com

By Gordon Cameron

The treatment of high blood pressure is one of the most important areas of modern medicine. Good quality care and blood pressure treatment can reduce the risk of death, the risk of stroke and the risk of heart attack or coronary disease. The British Hypertension Society produced guidelines in 2004. This is what they recommend.

Blood Pressure Measurement

All adults should have a blood pressure measurement at least once every five years up to the age of 80 - and more often thereafter.

If their blood pressure reading is borderline or high then the frequency of checking should be increased to at least once a year.

Nobody should be labelled as having high blood pressure unless at least four seperate seated readings confirm the problem. Some people with suspected high blood pressure will need a twenty four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor check.

High Blood Pressure Treatment

Lifestyle measures should form the initial mainstay of high blood pressure treatment.

Weight loss will reduce blood pressure levels in almost everyone.

A high alcohol intake has long been linked to high blood pressure readings.

Diet should be altered to reduce salt intake, reduce saturated fat intake, to increase oily fish or fish oil capsules and to increase the intake of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Exercise - walking is best - for thirty minutes three times a week can significantly lower high blood pressure levels.

High Blood Pressure medication is best chosen by a physician with full access to your medical records and with consideration of any other medical problems you may have. Most high blood pressure sufferers need more than one type of medication to achieve good blood pressure control. The target blood pressure level should be below 140/85 or below 130/80 if you suffer from diabetes as well as blood pressure. In reality the lower your reading is the better your long term health will be.

Dr Gordon Cameron is a doctor based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has a special interest in blood pressure treatment.
You can discover how to lower high blood pressure and about the problems of low blood pressure treatment by visiting Dr Cameron's websites.

He has also written about using acupuncture for high blood pressure.