High blood pressure - hypertension

Whenever I speak to patients, I ask them if they have any other issues apart from whatever problem they have come to see me about.

Quite often they will say no, just taking blood pressure tablets and cholesterol tablets, almost as if its a normal thing, almost like take a vitamin tablet. I find this quite perturbing.

There are two types of high blood pressure. Essential is a term used when the cause is not clear. This term is used to describe over 90% of all cases of hypertension. Secondary hypertension is a term used when the cause of the elevated blood pressure is identified. The most common causes of secondary hypertension are kidney disease, pregnancy, and effects of medications and birth control pills.

The first medical line of treatment for high blood pressure is diuretics. They cause the body to lose water lowering blood pressure. These medications can contribute to deficiencies of potassium and magnesium. The potassium is often supplemented while magnesium is often overlooked. This is a problem due to the fact that low magnesium can contribute to high blood pressure.

Elevated blood pressure can lead to many health problems. Hypertension can contribute to angina or chest pain due to narrowed blood vessels. It can also

contribute to an irregular heartbeat.

The heart can also become enlarged leading to heart failure. Brain damage is a risk resulting from high blood pressure. Brain damage can result from strokes resulting from rupture of leaks in blood vessels, or damage can result from

the formation of blood clots blocking blood flow. Damage to the brain can result in mild cognitive impairment or full blown dementia.

High blood pressure is strongly associated with a poor diet. The most commonly recommended diet is called the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).

This diet focuses on avoiding refined grains, sugar, salt, and red meat. Participants are encouraged to consume whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, chicken and fish.

High blood pressure can have many causes or contributors. Among the causes are poor diet, toxic exposures, lack of exercise, stress, aging, sleep apnea and weight gain, and nutrient deficiencies.

Please ensure that you have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. It may be that you simply need to change your diet and exercise regimen instead of taking chronic medication. The earlier you detect the problem, the easier it is to control.

For the original and complete article on this subject, please go to the September 2022 article in this link, https://www.imageawareness.com/newsletters.