foodconsumer.org: How You Can Normalize Your Blood Pressure Without Drugs

How You Can Normalize Your Blood Pressure Without Drugs
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admin on 12/15/2009 12:14:00
 
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
December 15 2009
By Dr. Mercola
If you are not already one in three U.S. adults with high blood pressure, the
odds are that without intervention, you will be, at some point in your life.
In fact, the risk of becoming hypertensive is greater than 90 percent for
indi­viduals in developed countries, according to an editorial in the
Lancet.[1]
The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. Many confuse this and
believe this is high blood pressure related to being tense or anxious. While
this can certainly cause high blood pressure in some, anxiety is a relatively
minor cause of this condition.
It’s really no surprise that hypertension is on the rise.
In fact, it’s to be expected when the diet of choice -- or sometimes
prescribed diet --for so many is some variety of a high grain, low fat regimen.
This is exactly the wrong nutritional combination if you have high blood
pressure, or if you are hoping to prevent the condition.
The Sugar Connection
Groundbreaking research published in 1998 in the journal Diabetes reported that
nearly two-thirds of the test subjects who were insulin resistant (IR) also had
high blood pressure.
This crucial connection between IR and hypertension is yet another example of
how wide-ranging the debilitating effects of high insulin, leptin and blood
glucose levels can have on your body.
Additional research revealed that if your blood pressure doesn’t drop notably
overnight, you run an increased risk of having cardiovascular problems. Here,
the connection is also elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels. Elevated blood
sugars can result in diabetes and other diseases which increase cardiovascular
problems.
Chances are if you have hypertension, you also have poorly controlled blood
sugar levels. The two problems often go hand in hand. And if your hypertension
is the direct result of an out-of-control blood sugar level, then getting your
blood sugars normalized will also bring your blood pressure readings into the
healthy range.
Healthy Blood Pressure is Within Your Control
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a very serious health concern that can cause
heart disease and increase your risk of having a stroke. It is especially
danger­ous because hypertension often has no warning signs or symptoms.
The sad reality is, over half of people taking multiple medications for high
blood pressure are still not able to manage their condition.
The great news is that over 85 percent of those who have hypertension can
normalize their blood pressure through lifestyle modifications. If you have
hypertension or hope to avoid it, there are simple steps you can take to balance
your blood pressure, glucose, leptin, and insulin levels -- all at the same time
-- without harmful and/or ineffective medications.
I’ll detail those steps later in this report.
But first, a little background information about the importance of your blood
pressure to your health.
What do the Numbers Mean?
If you’ve ever had your blood pressure taken, you know that there are two
num­bers given in a blood pressure reading. The upper or first number is your
systolic blood pressure reading. The lower or second number is your diastolic
pressure.
Example:
120 / 80 =
120 systolic arterial pressure and
80 diastolic arterial pressure
Systolic pressure is the highest pressure, in your arteries and occurs when your
ventricles contract at the beginning of your cardiac cycle.
Diastolic pressure refers to the lowest arterial pressure, and occurs during the
resting phase of your cardiac cycle.
Both numbers in a blood pressure test are important, but if you’re 50 or
older, your systolic pressure gives the most accurate diagnosis of high blood
pressure.
According to the most recent report (issued 2003) by the Joint National
Commit­tee (JNC) on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High
Blood Pressure[2], the following guidelines apply for determining whether you
might suf­fer from hypertension:
Blood Pressure Classification
Systolic
Diastolic
Normal