Arterial Hypertension

Arterial Hypertension

Currently, approximately 40 million people in the United States alone, as well as hundreds of millions around the world, need and habitually use medications to control arterial high blood pressure. This is due to the fact that serious complications exist because of AH (Arterial Hypertension) such as:

1.     Cerebral Hemorrhage - cerebro-vascular accident or stroke 

2.     Conjuntival or intraocular hemorrhage 

3.     Formation and ruptures of aneurism - defects in arterial wall 

4.     Renal insufficiency 

5.     Myocardial hypertrophy with possible cardiac insufficiency - enlarged heart

6.     Sexual impotence 

7.     Tinnitus - a constant hearing of heartbeats or ringing in the ears

In general terms, we can say that the blood pressure should be maintained lower than 140/90 in adults. A rule that can be applied is to obtain the maximum systolic pressure for an adult person by adding a constant of 74 to the age of the patient. For example, if we had a 50 year old patient we would add 74 + 50 and obtain a maximum reading of 124mm/Hg as the target pressure.

What do these figures mean and what do they reveal?

The first figure is known as systolic pressure. It is the force with which the heart pushes blood out toward the circulatory system. The second figure is known as diastolic pressure. This is the pressure maintained when the heart is at rest; in other words it is the resistance that the arteries give against the flow of blood. The diastolic pressure can increase for a variety of reasons including arterial obstruction, the influence of a chronic renal condition, or because of an increase in weight. Either way, the heart is forced to work harder, causing an elevation of blood pressure. The purpose of removing arterial obstruction is to reduce this pressure and thus make it easier for your heart to work.

A similar experiment can be done by taking a regular straw and a coffee straw and then trying to blow as hard as you can into both. The result is that you will have a harder time blowing through the smaller straw; in much the same way that your heart will have a harder time pumping blood through narrow arteries.

An elevated pressure can, with time, harm vital organs such as the brain, heart, and the kidneys due to lack of blood. It is also usual to suffer more minor symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and peripheral neuropathy (numbness of hands and feet); all of which can affect each organ in the body. 

Treatments for Arterial Hypertension

In the pharmacological market, there are numerous medications that are used to lower arterial pressure. Some medications are more complicated than others, so I will give a brief general description.

 

·      Diuretics

There are different kinds of diuretics. The general purpose is to cause a loss of water from the body, and thus lower arterial pressure. The problem is that along with water loss, potassium, magnesium, and other minerals that are very important to the human organism are also lost. These minerals must be replaced periodically to avoid muscular and cardiac fatigue.

·      Beta Blockers

These so called medications diminish the cardiac rhythm, and lower cardiac frequency to alarming levels; however these are not good for lowering pressure. They can also be very risky for diabetic and hypoglycemic patients because beta blockers can hide a crisis of blood sugar, as the body’s defenses are diminished.

·      Antagonistic Calcium

These work to effect the relaxation of the smooth musculature of the arterial walls. They can be used in a single dose day to day, and they have a moderate effect on arterial pressure. The risk is for people who suffer from cardiac insufficiency, since they weaken the ability of the heart muscle to contract, leaving propensity for pulmonary edema (water in the lungs).

·      Angiotensine Blockers

These are designed to block a powerful renal enzyme called angiotensine I, from affecting the arteries. This provokes a generalized spasm which causes a relaxation of the smooth musculature of the blood vessels; when the diameter of hundreds of miles of arteries increases, pressure is lowered. These should be taken one to several times a day. The complications are arterial hypotension (low pressure). Even though this effect is temporary, it can be concluded that these medications are relatively safe.

 

Natural Treatments for AH

·      Calcium

Calcium is a vital mineral for muscular contraction and relaxation, especially in the arteries of the heart. For this reason, calcium should be taken on a daily basis before bedtime for a better night’s sleep. The dosage should be between 500 and 1500 mg a day.

·      Potassium

This important mineral is involved in muscular construction. It tends to be lost with the use of diuretics, and should be replaced with consumption of foods that are rich in potassium, such as avocados, tomatoes, and bananas. Potassium capsules tend to cause gastritis, thus I recommend that they be taken with food. The dosage for potassium varies between 500 and 1500 mg daily, but your doctor must prescribe it.

 

·      Magnesium

This is less abundant in the human organism than calcium, but it helps to balance it. A dosage of 250 to 500 mg should be taken daily after breakfast.

·      Garlic

Garlic has been used for centuries to lower blood pressure. Garlic aged in apple cider vinegar increases its potency. It can be kept up to one month, and should be eaten in small pieces daily. In doing this, we are helping to diminish the accumulation of plaque, thus reducing the risk of developing blood clots.

·      Coenzyme Q10

This enzyme is found in great quantities in the muscle, and can be obtained by ingesting red meat. However, eating meat also means eating fat. For this reason, it is better to take CoQ10 in capsules. The dosage for a hypertensive patient varies between 90 and 180 mg daily. It should be taken in three doses after meals. CoQ10 helps both the contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle.

·      Fiber

Fiber is an essential element in the human diet. Sadly it is ever decreasing in our food. The lack of fiber causes fats to be more readily absorbed by the body and coagulation of the blood increases. This can lead to increased risk of cardiac infraction as well as cerebral hemorrhage. The ingestion of fiber in our diet helps to maintain or decrease our weight. Fiber is a component in our food that is not digested and thus forms fecal material and thus prevents constipation and diminishes the absorption of toxic materials that can cause a worsening of the conditions caused by AH.

In my practice, I always include a supplement of natural fiber to my patients who suffer from cardiac conditions, as well as those with AH.We should consider that every pathological illness should be treated in an integral manner. Remember that aerobic exercise, such as walking for 30-40 minutes a day, can prolong your life span by about 10 years. Not only that but you can add life to your years. Be being proactive and treating your conditions from all angles, you will feel much better and add not only quantity but also quality to your life.

Another reminder: cigarettes and alcohol are strictly prohibited as these lead to the deterioration of the arterial wall, and provoke hardening of the arteries.

Until next time, God bless.