HYPERTENSION: 

High Blood Pressure:

The heart pumps blood around the body through the blood vessels. Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted on the artery walls by the pumping blood. High blood pressure (hypertension) means that your blood is pumping with more force than normal through your arteries. The added stress on the arteries can accelerate the silting of arteries with fatty plaques (atherosclerosis). Other risk factors for atherosclerosis include cigarette smoking and high blood cholesterol. Atherosclerosis contributes to many illnesses, such as heart attack and stroke. Hypertension usually produces no symptoms. This means most people don’t even realize they have it. Experts recommend that everyone should have their blood pressure checked regularly.

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 the 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 is measured in two ways:

• Systolic - the highest pressure against the arteries as the heart pumps. The normal systolic pressure is usually between 110 and 120 mm Hg.
• Diastolic - the pressure against the arteries as the heart relaxes and fills with blood. The normal diastolic pressure is usually between 70 and 80 mm Hg.

How the sphygmomanometer takes blood pressure
An inflatable pressure bag is wrapped around the upper arm. The bag is connected to a pressure-measuring instrument called a sphygmomanometer. The operator manually pumps up the bag with air until the circulation of the arm’s main artery is interrupted. The pressure in the bag is then slowly released until it equals the systolic pressure in the artery, indicated by blood once again moving through the vessel. This makes a ‘thumping’ sound. The systolic pressure is indicated on the sphygmomanometer and recorded. Next, the blood pressure in the arm’s main artery drops to equal the lowest pressure, which is the diastolic pressure. This is the pressure at which the thumping sound is no longer heard. This figure is also recorded. The operator may take numerous readings to get the true picture. This is because many people tend to ‘tense up’ during the procedure, and nervous tension may temporarily boost the blood pressure.


What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the unequivocal silent killer. Unless you have your pressure checked, you won't know it's too high until it causes some serious damage. Over time, high blood pressure can wear down your circulatory system, leading to heart attacks, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, and even brain damage.

So what do the numbers mean? Doctors measure two aspects of blood pressure: systolic and diastolic pressures. The top number, systolic, represents the pressure on your veins and arteries when your heart pumps. The one on the bottom, diastolic, represents the pressure when your heart is at rest between beats. Current research has found that a reading of 140 over 90 or higher can do damage over time. A "normal" pressure reading has been dropped to 120 over 80.

Who is at risk?
The National Institutes of Health estimate that about 65 million Americans, or about one in three, have hypertension. Men are more likely to ignore hypertension than women, according to the American Society of Hypertension.

Nearly any person can have high blood pressure. Doctors and scientists don't know exactly what causes it, but many believe that it can be influenced by genetics, diet and stress. Being overweight can also contribute to hypertension.

What are the symptoms?
Unless your blood pressure skyrockets, you probably won't notice that it's too high. However, chronic hypertension can cause fatigue, confusion, vision changes, chest pain, and more.

What are the solutions?
Any trained health professional can monitor your blood pressure. Accurate over-the-counter monitors are also readily available at most drugstores.

Losing weight is usually the first step in treating hypertension, and it may be enough to make your blood pressure numbers drop. Dieting, light to moderate exercise and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga can also help. Your doctor may also prescribe diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) or alpha blockers.

A recent study by doctors in Israel found that anti-anxiety treatments may also lower blood pressure in patients who experience hypertensive spikes during the day. The doctors gave the anti-anxiety drug diazepam (Valium) to 19 patients who were in the midst of a hypertensive episode (pressure greater than 190 over 100 for any extended period of time). The drug was just as effective at relieving pressure as the hypertension drug captopril. This study may lead to new anti-anxiety-based hypertension treatments.



Most people with hypertension feel okay
Hypertension usually does not produce any symptoms, because the organs of the body can resist high blood pressure for a long time. That’s why it’s important to have regular medical examinations to make sure your blood pressure isn’t creeping up as you grow older. High blood pressure over a period of time can contribute to many illnesses, including:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Stroke.

An unhealthy lifestyle can cause hypertension
Some of the factors which can contribute to high blood pressure include:

• Hereditary factors
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• A diet high in salt
• Heavy drinking
• Kidney disease.

The effects of high blood pressure on the arteries are worsened by:

• Cigarette smoking
• High levels of saturated fat in the diet
• High blood cholesterol
• Diabetes.

Responses to some types of stress may affect both blood pressure and changes in the arteries, but this remains scientifically uncertain.

Some drugs may cause hypertension
Certain drugs can cause hypertension or make controlling hypertension more difficult. Check with your doctor or chemist for alternatives. These drugs include:

• The combined contraceptive pill
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Some nasal drops and sprays
• Some cough medicines, eye drops and appetite suppressants.

Making healthier choices
Two out of five people can successfully lower their blood pressure by making adjustments to lifestyle. Exercising, eating a healthy low salt diet, keeping within your normal weight range and reducing alcohol will all have a dramatic effect. See your doctor before you start any new exercise program.

Giving up cigarette smoking will reduce the damaging effects of hypertension on the arteries.

Antihypertensive medications
In some cases, it is necessary to take antihypertensive medication as well. Usually hypertensive medications are introduced at low doses. The dose may be gradually increased if needed. You should never alter the dose of your hypertension medication or stop taking it without consulting with your doctor. Medications don’t cure the condition.

Supplements we use in our practice:

We have compiled a listing of the most useful nutriceuticals and phytonutrients for the nutritional support of patients who have Mild to Moderately High Blood Pressure.

Many of today's commonly used medicines had their origins long ago in herbal remedies.  These remedies may be useful in easing many of the uncomfortable symptoms you feel.  However, use of these supplements is definitely not intended to be a substitute for careful medical evaluation and treatment by a competent, licensed personal health care professional. These recommendations have not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. Patients Medical and our doctors do not recommend changing any current medications or adding any new therapies without personally consulting a fully qualified physician. 

If you would like more detailed information about the supplements before ordering them, please click on the supplement’s name below.

 Vasotensin®  This formula contains Bonito Peptides. These proteins from the Bonito Fish have been clinically proven as the most powerful natural ACE inhibitors available.

 

Arginine Plus™ with Magnesium   This amino acid and mineral formula provides nutritional support to promote healthy vasodilation in the circulatory system.

TO ORDER: Please be prepared to complete the registration form before going to the shopping cart by Clicking Here.   After you register, go to the Online Store and place your order. Alternatively, feel free to call Jasmine at 1-212-679-9667. She will process your order by phone.  For fastest delivery, please order online.

Next Steps:

Our physicans may be able to help you reduce your blood pressure without starting a life time of medications by using natural supplements and healthier choices.  To schedule an appointment to see our physicians, please call our new patients coordinator at 1-212-661-7673 or send us an email at appointments@patientsmedical.com .  We look forward to being of help to you.