HYPERTENSION (High Blood Pressure)
By Dra. Annabel Carungin

When the heart pumps the blood through the arteries, the blood presses against the walls of the blood vessels.  In people who suffer from hypertension, this pressure is abnormally high.

Whether Blood Pressure (BP) is high, low or normal depends on several factors:

1. The output from the heart.
2. The resistance to blood flow of the blood vessel.
3. The volume of blood
4. Blood distribution to the various organs.

If blood pressure is elevated, the heart must work harder to pump an adequate amount of blood to all the tissues of the body.  Ultimately, the condition often leads to kidney failure, heart failure and stroke.  In addition, high blood pressure is often associated with coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, kidney disorders, obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and adrenal tumors.

In the United States, approximately 50 million Americans have elevated blood pressure (systolic BP > 140 mmHg or diastolic BP > 90 mmHg).  Of these, 68% are aware of their diagnosis, 53% are receiving treatment and only 27% are under control by the 140/90-mmHg threshold.  Men tend to develop hypertension more often than women, but the risk for women rises after menopause and soon approaches that of men.  A women's risk of high blood pressure also increases if she takes oral contraceptives or is pregnant.

Because high blood pressure usually causes no symptoms until complications develop, it is known as the "silent killer". Warning signs associated with advanced hypertension may include headaches, sweating, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness and visual disturbances.

Blood pressure is usually divided into two categories: Primary (1o) and Secondary (2o).  Primary HPN is high blood pressure that is not due to another underlying disease.  The precise cause is unknown, but a number of definite risk factors have been identified.  These include cigarette smoking, stress, obesity, excessive use of stimulants such as coffee or tea, drug abuse, high sodium intake, and the use of oral contraceptives.  Because too much water retention can exert pressure on the blood vessels, those who consume foods high in sodium may be at a greater risk high BP.  Elevated BP is also common in people who are overweight.  Blood pressure can rise due to stress, as well, because stress causes the walls of the arteries to constrict.  Also those with a family history of HPN are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure.  When persistently elevated BP arises as a result of another underlying heart problem, such as a hormonal abnormality or an inherited narrowing of the aorta, it is called Secondary HPN.  A person may also have 2o HPN because the blood vessels are chronically constricted or have lost elasticity from a build-up of fatty plaque on the inside walls of the vessel, a condition known as atherosclerosis.  Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are common precursors of HPN. The narrowing and/or hardening of the arteries make circulation of blood through the vessels difficult.  As a result, BP becomes elevated. 2o HPN can also be caused by poor kidney function, which results in the retention of excess sodium and fluid in the body.   This increase in blood volume within the vessels causes elevated blood pressure levels.

To diagnose high BP, a physician uses a device called a sphygmomanometer.  BP is represented as a pair of numbers.  The first is the systolic pressure, which is the pressure exerted by the blood when the heart beats, forcing blood into the blood vessel.  This reading indicated BP at its height.  The second reading is the diastolic pressure, which is recorded when the heart is at rest in between beats, when the BP is at its lowest.  The combined BP reading is then expressed as a ratio of systolic to diastolic BP.  Thus, in a person with normal BP, the systolic pressure measures 120 mmHg and the diastolic pressure measures 80 mmHg; together, this is expressed as 120/80 (120 over 80) mmHg.  Both the systolic and diastolic readings are important; neither should be high.

Category          Systolic BP   Diastolic BP

1. Normal             < 130        <85

2. High normal      130-139     85-89

3. Mild HPN          140-159     90-99

4. Moderate HPN  160-179     100-109

5. Severe HPN      >180         >110

Recommendations:

1. Consult a doctor.

2. Follow a strict salt-free diet.

Read labels carefully and avoid these food products that have "salt", "soda", "sodium", or the symbol "Na" on the label.  Some foods and food additives that should be avoided on this diet include monosodium glutamate (MSG), taking soda; commercially prepared foods; toothpastes containing saccharin or baking soda; over the counter medications that contain ibuprofen; diet soft drinks foods with mold inhibitors, preservatives and sugar substitute; meat tenderizers; softened waters and soy sauce.

3. Eat a high fiber diet and take supplemental fiber.   Oat bran is a good source of fiber.

4. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, garlic, grapefruit, green leafy vegetables, melons, peas, prunes, raisins, squash and sweet potatoes.

5. Drink steam-distilled water only.

6. Avoid all animal fats.  Bacon, beef, bouillons, chicken liver, corned beef, dairy products, gravies, pork, sausage and smoked or processed meats are prohibited. The only acceptable animals foods are broiled white fish and skinless turkey or chicken and these should be consumed on moderation only.  Get protein from vegetable sources, grains and legumes instead.

7. Avoid foods such as aged cheese, aged meats, anchovies, avocados, chocolate, pickled herring, sour cream, sherry, wine and yogurt.

8. Avoid all alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.

9. If you are overweight, take step to lose the excess pounds.

10. Get regular light to moderate exercise.

11. Monitor your BP daily and record.

12. Do Biomagnetic Therapy:

a. Meridian Energizing Rx

b. Daytime & Night time Sternum Rx

c. Drink Magnetized negative water with MSO.