HALTING HYPERTENSION

This week, health authorities worldwide are recognising 'World Hypertension Day'. Hypertension, commonly referred to as 'high blood pressure' or 'pressure', is a medical disorder affecting millions of people around the world. Research indicates that about one-third Jamaicans over 35 years of age are suffering from high blood pressure, and its prevalence increases with age.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood is circulated through the body by a pump (the heart) via a series of pipes (arteries) under pressure. This pressure is measured and expressed in millimetres of mercury (mm. Hg) as two figures. The top figure is called the systolic pressure. It represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts or beats. The lower figure is called the diastolic pressure, and represents the pressure in the system when the heart relaxes in between beats. Thus, a blood pressure reading may be represented as follows:

• 140 -systolic pressure
• 80 - diastolic pressure
• Blood pressure is currently considered normal when the systolic pressure is below 120 mm. Hg and the diastolic under 80 mm. Hg.

What Causes Hypertension?

In my opinion, high blood pressure is more a symptom than an actual disease. Less than 10 per cent of the cases of hypertension are caused by an underlying medical condition: kidney disease, hormonal imbalance and drugs for example, steroids and diabetic medication. Over 90 per cent result from an unhealthy lifestyle.

Common lifestyle culprits include - poor diet high in unhealthy fat, processed carbohydrates and salt and low in fibre and nutrients; obesity and a sedentary lifestyle - chronic stress and cigarette smoking.

I regard hypertension more as one of the symptoms of a sick circulatory system. In any plumbing system, if the pipes become corroded, narrowed or blocked, the pressure must increase for flow to be maintained. So, with the human circulation, hardening of the arteries, narrowing and blockage of blood vessels by a process called atherosclerosis is a major underlying cause of high blood pressure. The actual high blood pressure reading is often just a signal, a warning light that the pipes (arteries) are unhealthy. People do not just die from high blood pressure. They die also from the results of the diseased circulation that contributed to the elevation in pressure.

The main organs that suffer are the brain - brain damage and strokes; the heart - heart enlargement and heart failure, the kidneys - kidney disease and renal failure; and, the eyes - visual impairment and blindness.

Treatment

Most cases of hypertension can be treated effectively by changing one's lifestyle. This is the first line of treatment and along with nutritional supplements and herbs is an effective and safe way of treating high blood pressure. Blood pressure medication may sometimes be indicated, but in my opinion, should only be used as a secondary line of treatment.

Just taking "pressure tablets" as soon as one is diagnosed with high blood pressure is rarely indicated and only in very severe cases, as this approach only treats the symptoms and does not address the underlying cause. These drugs may sometimes lower the blood pressure reading, but do not correct the underlying circulatory dysfunction.

Additionally, the use of blood pressure medication is so commonly associated with side effects that the doctor may have to prescribe more medication to treat the side effects of the ones originally prescribed.

A Natural Cure

Hypertension can be effectively managed and reversed naturally. Start believing that and commit yourself to make the following changes in your life for the next 90 days. The resulting change in your blood pressure will inspire you to continue.

Change your diet

Change to a diet of healthy protein, low animal fats, and lots of fresh vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Restrict or eliminate meats, dairy products, sugar, white flour and fried foods. Use sea salt in moderation.

Control your Weight

Correct abdominal obesity. Excess fat around the waistline predisposes you to high blood pressure. A waist measurement of over 34 inches in a woman and over 39 inches in a man increases your risk for hypertension by 500 per cent. Start a weight loss programme that places a major emphasis on balanced nutrition. I recommend 'The Cellular Nutrition Programme'.

Detoxify the body

Do a cleansing programme to detoxify the body of harmful impurities - a combination of herbal cleansers and colon irrigation is an effective approach. Avoid polluting the system with cigarettes, excess caffeine, alcohol, and the various chemicals in processed foods, unclean air and polluted water.

Exercise regularly

Exercise is vital to the programme. It has many benefits and I recommended that you do some form of aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes, three times per week. On the other days, do 45 minutes of resistance exercise, such as weight training or floor exercises.

Take Supplements

Supplements can play an important role in controlling blood pressure. Take a full spectrum of multi-vitamins and the antioxidants A, C, E and Selenium (ACES). Additionally, supplement with magnesium, Omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, carnitine and coenzyme Q10.

Learn Stress Management

Learn to manage stress, as it is a common hidden cause of high blood pressure. Yoga, meditation and relaxation techniques are extremely useful strategies in managing high blood pressure. Supplement your diet with herbs and nutrients that will help you to handle stress, such as Kava, valerian, tang Kuei, Siberian Ginseng and St John's Wort.

Consider Chelation Therapy

This is an alternative medical treatment that effectively reverses the hardening of the arteries associated with high blood pressure. It removes excess calcium from the blood vessel walls and also assists the body to eliminate harmful heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and aluminum. It is administered by a doctor trained in chelation therapy and is also a powerful anti-ageing therapy.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure

Do check your blood pressure regularly and if your pressure is elevated, check it once per week and keep a record to share with your doctor. This is more useful than single occasional readings done at the doctor's office. Invest in your own machine and learn how to use it.

You may email Dr Tony Vendryes at tonyvendryes@gmail.com, or listen to An Ounce of Prevention on POWER 106FM on Fridays at 8 p.m. His new book an Ounce of Prevention — Especially for Women is now available.