Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It is a condition where the arteries are stiff and the blood forced through them is too high.  This stiffness can be transient or it may be longer lasting due to many things.  High blood pressure is very hard on the heart, brain, and kidneys if left untreated.  It is often called the “silent killer” as many people don’t even know they have hypertension.  Others may experience headaches and dizziness when their blood pressure is elevated for too long.  While it is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate from time to time (especially when under stress, lack of sleep, to much caffeine or alcohol), it should not be high for long periods of time.

Hypertension/Abnormal blood pressure is as follows: Stage 1 – classified as prehypertension is a blood pressure range of  130-139(systolic)  and 80-89( diastolic).  Stage 2 – is actual hypertension and defined as a systolic pressure of greater than 140 over 90 diastolic.

The first number is called the systolic pressure which is the force of the heart pumping the blood through your arteries.  The second number is the diastolic pressure which is the relaxing phase of the arteries.  Both numbers are important in their own way and can give you a general understanding of how your vascular system (heart and blood vessels) are doing in general.

This is why your healthcare practitioner will take your blood pressure during an evaluation.  As we age, it is important to purchase our own blood pressure machine to routinely take our own blood pressure during various times of the day to get an overall picture of how our circulatory system is doing.  Because as we age, we have had years and years of inflammation (though stress, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, toxin build up, smoking alcohol, high salt diet,  etc) that contribute to the slow deterioration of our circulatory system.  Blood vessels stiffen in time and do not contract as easily because of this inflammation.  Plaque build up from fats and sugars build up in the artery walls and leave them less pliable.  This is an issue long term that can lead to heart attacks, strokes and kidney damage.

Other factors can contribute to high blood pressure such as thyroid disease, hormone imbalances, high or low testosterone for men, and blood sugar issues including diabetes.  As we have discussed in previous blog posts, inflammation is evil and is the root cause of most diseases including hypertension.  Inflammation is caused by poor diet and nutrition as well as stress and other negative lifestyle choices.

Natural strategies to reduce blood pressure

• Lose the extra weight
• Limit alcohol and caffeine products
• Reduce stress and get rest/sleep
• Eat a balanced diet limited in sugars and processed oils
• No smoking
• Exercise-Exercise-Exercise!

Natural botanicals – may have some benefit in reducing high blood pressure

Garlic

Turmeric

Basil

Cinnamon

Ginger

Hibiscus

Thyme

Hawthorn

Parsley

Celery

Beets and beetroot

Vitamin and mineral support for overall health and support of Hypertension

Magnesium

Potassium

Vitamin D

Omega 3 fatty acid

CoQ10

L-arginine

***keep salt and sodium levels low.  Look at all food labels for sodium content and aim for 1500mg of sodium max per day.  Sodium attracts water and affects overall  fluid volume in the body.  Increased volume is extra work on the heart, kidneys and stress on the blood vessels.

Here is one of our favorite natural hypertension supplements we like and its found on full scripts.  Its called HTN – PX.

It is important to note: blood pressure control is one of the single most important health strategies that you can do for overall health and longevity.  The natural approach is the best way to reduce blood pressure.  Having said this, sometimes it is not always possible to reduce blood pressure.  When this happens, it is important to talk to your health care practitioner and talk about blood pressure control using pharmacological medications.  There are so many on the market with different mechanisms of action. Although Dr. Karen Freeze likes the natural approach to any health ailment, but she will fall back to pharmacology if it is absolutely necessary to do so.  She will be able to recommend the right medication for yo