Hypertension treatment with alternative approaches

Hypertension refers to a condition of elevated blood pressure. It has been called "the silent killer" because it usually doesn't cause symptoms for many years--until a vital organ is damaged. The number of Americans who have hypertension is estimated to be more than 50 million. Hypertension occurs more often in blacks.

Supplements that influence hypertension or useful in those with hypertension
Antioxidants such as vitamin C
B vitamin and coenzyme complex — vitamin B6, folate, and B12
Fish Oils supplement
Grape seed extract was shown to reduce hypertension in a study published in March of 2006.
Lipoic acid is sold here Alpha-Lipoic-R-50
Quercetin is known as a very strong blood vessel dilator. Chronic oral quercetin exerts antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Genistein is a type of flavonoid found mostly in soy. Genistein helps produce more nitric oxide, a powerful chemical in the blood stream that helps dilate blood vessels. Genistein is available as a supplement. Soy protein supplements are also helpful.
CoQ10 could be helpful in dosages of 20 to 50 mg. The study is discussed below. High CoQ10 dosages could lead to shallow sleep which is not helpful since deep sleep reduces hypertension risk.
Green tea and oolong tea drinkers are less likely to develop hypertension than non tea drinkers. It would be better to drink tea in the morning since the small amounts of caffeine can interfere with sleep if you drink tea later in the day. It would be best to limit tea intake to one or two cups unless there is no caffeine in the herbal tea you are consuming. Another option is to take green tea extracts with breakfast or lunch.
Calcium and Magnesium are important minerals helpful in supporting healthy blood pressure
Hawthorn extract may be helpful, see study below
Vitamin D is a supplement that can be taken from 200 to 600 units a day.
Potassium - Potassium citrate has similar hypertension lowering effects as the best-studied potassium compound, potassium chloride.

Natural Therapies for hypertension
Reduce salt intake
Try to shed some pounds-- Greater amounts of fat in the abdomen point to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure.
Reduce alcohol intake
Reduce or stop smoking
Try to have less stress in your daily life
Reduce fat intake, except from fish oils
Reduce caffeine-intake--skip that second cup of coffee, substitute caffeine-free herbal drinks.
Exercise, walk one more mile per day
Eat more fruits and vegetables, onions,
Drink more water
Yoga helps lower blood pressure

Cause of Hypertension
Diet, lack of physical activity, poor sleep, stress, and smoking are associated with hypertension. A person's risk of developing hypertension rises along with weight, even when it's within normal range. The higher a person's body mass index (BMI), the higher his risk of developing hypertension. High blood levels of uric acid is correlated with obesity and hypertension. Being heavy goes hand-in-hand with having hypertension. Those who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- such as ibuprofin (Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) at least 22 days per month appear to be much more likely than others to develop hypertension. Regular use of acetaminophen may also contribute to hypertension.

Medicines that can lead to hypertension
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, decongestants, steroids, estrogen and oral contraceptives, cyclosporine

If you have hypertension, a physician should make sure you don't have the following:
Primary hyperaldosteronism and Cushing’s syndrome. Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Sleep apnea.

Complications of hypertension
Untreated hypertension can lead to cardiovascular disease such as left ventricular hypertrophy which could lead to congestive heart failure, arrhythmias and myocardial infarction, along with stroke, and kidney disease. People with a history of hypertension are at an increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, a condition that involves difficulties with thinking and learning.

Hypertension medication and risk of diabetes
Patients with hypertension are more likely to develop new-onset diabetes than those who don't have hypertension, but this tendency is often attributed to higher weight, recent weight gain, or stronger family history of diabetes among those with high blood pressure. Doctors have known since 1958 that some drugs used to control hypertension have the side effect of increasing blood sugar and causing new-onset diabetes. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center analyzed the data and have found significant differences between hypertension drugs. ACE-inhibitors and the newer angiotensin receptor blockers, or ARBs prevent people from getting diabetes, and the older diuretics or beta-blockers, increase the chance that a person becomes diabetic. The lowest risk of new-onset diabetes occurs with angiotensin receptor blockers or ACE-inhibitors, followed by calcium channel blockers, and highest with beta-blockers or diuretics. Diuretics or beta-blockers slightly increase the risk of becoming diabetic.

Hypertension questions
Q. I'm confused on which supplements to purchase for hypertension. I'm 47 years old, my weight 145 pounds, I work in a highly stressful job, my blood pressure is 180/100 or 170/110. My medical doctor placed me on hypertension medicine the lowest dosage and I was unable to stand on my feet at all, I felt dizzy, he then put me on hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg and I broke out of hives all over my body. So now I am taking nothing. I walk on a treadmill in the morning 5 days a week. My diet consist of mostly salmon, sardines, butterfish and vegetables. No meat. I'm asthmatic and only have 1and 1/2 lung. Could you please direct me to which supplements that will help me to lower my hypertension.
   A. We can't give any individual advice you are welcome to discuss the information on this hypertension page with your doctor.

Q.  I am a Veteran and I love to have sex. I have hypertension and the VA Doctor put me on Amlodipine Besylate 10 MG Tab, Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 MG tab, and Atenolol 25MG tab Daily. I am 61 years old. They think without the medicine I might have a heart attack. It's been a week now and I cannot get an erection and have a normal sex, I can have oral sex with my partner. Will oral sex cause any problems? Before I can have normal erection sex they want to put me thru some tests first, like blood work and evaluation process. Doctor said no sex now or I might have a heart attack. Please help me with your advice, because I want to live and get my hypertension under control and still have sex.
   A. Sexual activity can cause heart cardiovascular problems in those who have weak hearts or uncontrolled hypertension. Much depends on how fast and hard the heart is beating during sexual activity. If there is no significant change in heart beat or heart rate during the oral sex activity, it would be okay, but the final decision rests on you and your doctor.

Q. I am a Family Physician in Toronto, Canada. My husband suffers with hypertension and hypokalemia due to primary hyperaldosteronism. He is on Amlodipine, Amiloride and Magnesium Oxyde, but his BP is still high and his potassium is barely kept at the lower limit of normal. Is there any hope for alternative medicine to improve his condition?
   A. There may be hope, you may find some of the suggestions on this hypertension page to be helpful.
 

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