Hypertension is a persistent elevation of the blood pressure where the systolic pressure (pressure when the heart contracts) is greater than 140 mm.Hg and a diastolic pressure (pressure when the heart relaxes) is above 90 mm.Hg. However, other factors have to be taken into consideration, especially when evaluating an increased systolic pressure before diagnosing a patient with high blood pressure.
The heart is a muscular pump that propels blood throughout the body through a network of blood vessels. Any narrowing of these vessels, increase in blood volume or greater effort by the heart will increase the blood pressure. This may occur for just a few minutes or persist for months or years. Hypertension should be diagnosed by your medical doctor and appropriate drug therapy will be commenced. High blood pressure is a serious condition requiring professional management and medical supervision and you should not stop any anti-hypertensive drug without the the advice of your doctor.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
The exact causes of high blood pressure is not known in primary hypertension which accounts for some 90% of high blood pressure cases. In secondary hypertension, the elevated pressure occurs as a result of diseases or abnormalities in other related organs like the liver or kidney.
Certain risk factors are known to increase the likelihood of high blood pressure and these include :
- Body weight – being overweight or obese
- Smoking and excessive alcohol use
- Lack of exercise and physical activity
- Poor dietary habits with high salt intake and rich in saturated fats
- High cholesterol levels
- Age and family history of hypertension
- Diabetes
- Stress, depression or anxiety disorders
Natural Treatment for Hypertension
Any alternative therapy or complementary medicine should NOT be the first line of treatment for hypertension. Based on you doctor’s advice, drug therapy should be started as soon as possible because hypertension is a ’silent killer’ meaning that you will not experience signs or symptoms related to the high blood pressure immediately. If your doctor advises conservative management, changes in diet and lifestyle, first because your case is not severe, only then consider natural remedies. Many remedies may also cause a drug interaction and should not be used if you are on anti-hypertensive drugs. Always consult with your doctor before starting any complementary medicine for hypertension.
Herbal Remedies for Hypertension
- Cratageus oxycanthe (hawthorn berries) is the most popular herb used for treating high blood pressure. Hawthorn has been fairly well researched and may be effective in the early stages of high blood pressure but should only be used based on the prescription of a qualified complementary health practitioner.
- Rauwolfia serpentina (Indian snakeroot) is an extremely effective herb in controlling high blood pressure but should be used in low doses over short periods of time.
- Digitalis purpurea (foxglove) should never be used for treating hypertension or heart disease without the supervision of a practitioner. This remedy can be extremely dangerous and is similar to the drug digoxin.
- Taraxacum officinalis (dandelion) may assist with high blood pressure related to liver disorders (portal hypertension).
- Diuretics like Agathosma betulina (buchu) and Gallium aparine (yarrow) may assist with reducing fluid retention and easing high blood pressure. Diuretics should only be used short term.
- Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut) may assist with blood pressure problems related to pathology in the blood vessels.
- In cases of hypertension associated with stress or anxiety, the underlying psychological disorder should be treated. Using a natural remedy for insomnia or anxiety may also in a lower dose may assist with high blood pressure.
Homeopathic Remedies for Hypertension
- When opting to treat or manage you high blood pressure with homeopathy, it is best to consult with a homeopathic practitioner who will prescribe a single remedy best suited to your case (simillimum).
- Tissue salts should be used along with a herbal remedy. Consider the following tissue salts – Natrum muriaticum D6, Natrum phosphoricum D6 or Natrum sulphuricum D6.
- Other remedies like Aurum metallicum, Aconite, Belladonna, Glonoinum and Viscum album may be useful in potencies between 6C and 30C.
Diet & Lifestyle for High Blood Pressure
- Reduce the intake of any stimulants, including caffeine.
- Discontinue or decrease the amount of table salt in your food. Table salt refers to sodium chloride which is known to elevate your blood pressure.
- Replace table salt with a healthier alternative like special salts for hypertensive patients which has more potassium than sodium.
- Omega 3-6 supplements may assist with blood cholesterol.
- Co-enzyme Q10 can be used to help with blood pressure to some degree but is useful in reducing the chances of heart disease.
- A healthy lifestyle, both in terms of diet, physical activity and mental/emotional well being play a significant role in the treatment and management of high blood pressure.
- Other therapies such as reflexology and acupuncture may assist with reducing high blood pressure.
Always consult with your medical practitioner before stopping your high blood pressure medication or attempting any additional complementary therapies.