High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
In order to bring you the most current and up-to-date information, we are constantly researching and adding data regarding High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). In the spirit of community, we also ask that as you find or know about relevant information or resources for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), you contribute your information at info@sharingwellnessinfo.com. The data on these conditions will grow because there is so much to be gathered and assimilated. Meanwhile, we are providing you a place to start your research and hope that you will feed back to us what else you find for addition here.
Being Informed
The more you know and understand about the cause of symptoms and what your body requires, the more you can help yourself heal or recover. In the case of hypertension, it is important to know what to do to lower the pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure and available assistance regarding any type of pressure problems, you may wish to contact your doctor or go to http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2114
General Description of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is frequently associated narrowing of the arteries that causes blood to be pumped with excessive force against the artery walls. A reading of high blood pressure is a sign that the heart and blood vessels are working too hard to pump an adequate amount of blood to all tissues of the body.
More than 50 million people have high blood pressure, with about 15 million people not knowing they have the condition. Hypertension is known as the "silent killer" because no symptoms may be presented.
The African-American population is at one-third higher risk of having hypertension than Caucasians.
High blood pressure can cause a variety of problems: injury to the brain and/or eyes (retinopathy), kidneys (nephropathy), heart disease, and stroke.
Hypertension is also directly related to other conditions such as arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and high cholesterol.
There are two predominant categories of high blood pressure: primary and secondary. Primary hypertension is not due any other underlying disease. The precise cause of primary hypertension is not known. Risk factors include: cigarette smoking, stress, obesity, excessive use of stimulants (like coffee or tea), drug abuse, high sodium intake., sedentary life style, African American heritage, and being 75 or older.
Secondary high blood pressure results from another underlying health problem such as hormonal abnormality, inherited narrowing of the aorta, chronically constricted blood vessels, blood vessels that have lost elasticity from a buildup of fatty plaque on the inside walls of the blood vessel (atherosclerosis). Increased blood pressure may damage the small blood vessels within the kidney. The kidney then becomes unable to filter blood efficiently, and waste products may build up in the blood in a condition known as uremia.
Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
A device called a sphygmomanometer is used to diagnose high blood pressure. There are two sets of numbers to the reading of sphygmomanometer: the systolic pressure, exerted by the blood when the heart beats and forces blood into the blood vessels; and the diastolic pressure is recorded in between beats when blood pressure is at its lowest. To get an accurate reading, it is necessary to take several readings throughout a day.
High blood pressure is often discovered during routine physical exams or office visits. Devices are sold in drug stores so you can measure your own. If the doctor does find high blood pressure, he/she may recommend that you have an electrocardiogram, blood tests, or a urine test to check for signs of kidney damage.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Frequently, there are no symptoms. However, warning signs may appear as headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, sweating, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, restlessness and blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
Beneficial Modalities for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Your practitioner may recommend that you avoid alcohol; cut down on salt; exercise regularly; lose weight; get enough calcium, magnesium, and potassium; stop smoking.
When such approaches don't help, the practitioner may prescribe medication such as diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, andrenergic blockers, or calcium-channel blockers to help lower high blood pressure; and, may recommend further diagnostic tests to determine whether the hypertension is primary or secondary.
Herbs, massage, visualization, stress reduction modes, acupuncture, color therapy, sound therapy, and many other modalities may also be helpful in reducing stress and lowering blood pressure.
Also, please see article on Nattokinase in Wellness Tools. Nattokinase is a potent fibrinolytic enzyme extracted and highly purified from a traditional Japanese food called Natto. This information was provided by someone who has had personal experience using nattokinase to reduce her own blood pressure. It is available as a free pdf download from our Wellness Tools section. Also, see more such information evolving from workshops led by Lynn Koiner, our friend and amazing astrologer at http://www.lynnkoiner.com. People who attended the October 2009 workshop reported that nattokinase has lowered their blood pressure and helped with circulation in their extremities. They reported having gotten it at Vitamin Shoppe.
References for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Websites
Medline Plus--Hypertension |
Heart Center Online |
Viable Herbal Solution |
Cedars-Sinai Hospital--High Blood Pressure |
Mayo Clinic-High Blood Pressure |
HeartMath.com |
Books
Power vs Force. |
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Feeling Light. |
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Heart Disease...been there, done that. |
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The Power to Heal on All Levels. |
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The Hidden Power of the Heart. |
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Meditation as Medicine. |
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Periodicals
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John Z. Ayanian |
Peter J. Fuller and Morag J. Young |
Mitchell S.V. Elkind, Robert Sciacca, Bernadette Boden-Albala, Tanja Rundek, Myunghee C. Palk, and Ralph L. Sacco |
Organizations/Associations
American Heart Association |
Wellness Tools for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Macular Degeneration and Chelation Article by Dr. Kondrot
A discussion of chelation and how Dr. Kondrot applies chelation to treat macular degeneration.
What My Family Should Know forms
SharingWellnessInfo: Ready for Health Emergencies cover and excerpt along with forms that complement the book.
Intercepted Signs in the Horoscope & Their Impact on the Physical Well-Being of the Individual
This is a very interesting article reporting the research of Lynn Koiner, noted astrologer and author of numerous articles on astrology and health. She reports on her findings and correlations of cell salts and various astrological interceptions.
Acupuncture for High Blood Pressure
This article describes how acupuncture has been found to help lower blood pressure for those who have high or elevated blood pressure--otherwise known as hypertension.
Nattokinase
Nattokinase is a potent fibrinolytic enzyme extracted and highly purified from a traditional Japanese food called Natto. Natto is a fermented cheese-like food that has been used in Japan for over 1000 years. Only the natto preparation of the boiled soybeans contains the nattokinase enzyme that has shown the ability to dissolve blood clots. Natto has traditionally been used to lower blood pressure and in 1995 researchers confirmed the lowering effect on blood pressure because of its ability to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Research has shown that it can also be used preventively.
