The Top 10 Facts About High Blood Pressure & the Natural Healing Process

Originally Submitted on 8/28/96.

Do you suffer from high blood pressure? Also, termed hypertension, many people are not even aware of its presence and dangers. Here are ten things you may want to know.

1. High blood pressure is not a disease!

It is the body's defensive and corrective measure,initiated to cope with pathological conditions in various functions of the body, such as general toxemia, impaired kidney function, glandular distrubances, defecive calcium metabolism, degenerative changes in arteries (artheriosclerosis, atherosclerosis), overweight, emotionally caused dysfunction in vaso-motor mechanism,etc. When the arteries become obstructed with plaque and cholesterol, they harden and constrict with arteriosclerosis, and the circulation of blood through the vessels becomes difficult, forcing the blood through narrower passageways. As a result, blood pressure becomes elevated.

2. Hypertension is precipitated by a number of factors.

In addition to arteriosclerosis, hypertension is often precipitated by cigarette smoking, stress, obesity, excessive use of stimulants such as coffee or tea, drug abuse, high sodium intake, and the use of contraceptives.

3. A normal blood pressure reads 120 over 80 (120/80)

Normal blood pressure readings can vary from 100/70to 140/90. While readings of 140/90 to 160/90 or 160/95 indicate borderline hypertension, any reading over 180/115 is severely elevated.

4. People with a family history of hypertension may be more likely to suffer from high blood pressure.

5. Hypertension is often asymptomatic.

Advanced warning signs include headaches, sweating, a rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, and vision disturbances. Because hypertension often shows no signs, having your blood pressure checked regularly is important, especially for those indviduals in high risk categories.

6. It is important to eliminate the reason for elevated blood pressure and not just treat the symptoms.

The objective of the biologically oriented doctor (one who treats disease through the natural healing process) is not to lower blood pressure with drugs or even with specific foods or vitamins, but to eliminate the reason for the elevation, i.e., to remove the causes of the condition. When these are removed, the blood pressure will go down by itself

7. High blood pressure can be of emotional origin.

It can be caused by stress, worries, fear, pressures competitive life, or prolonged nervous stress. These underlying causes of emotional origins must be removed before any nutritional or biological treatments can be successful.

8. A salt-free diet is essential for lowering blood pressure.

Lowering your salt intake alone is not enough. You must eliminate all salt from your diet! You can do this by carefully reading all labels from processed foods and avoiding those that have the words, "soda", "sodium", or the symbol, "Na" on the label. These indicate that the product contains salt. Some foods and food additives that should be avoided on a low-salt diet include: Accent flavor-enhancer (monosodium glutamate); baking soda; canned vegetables; commercially prepared foods; certain dentifrices and over-the-counter medicines that contain ibuprofen, such as Advil and Nuprin; diet soft drinks; food with mold inhibitors, preservatives, and most sugar substitutes; meat tenderizers; softened water; and soy sauces. These products can cause cells to swell and interfere with the effectiveness of diuretics used in the treatment of hypertension.

9. A high fiber diet is recommended.

A high fiber diet and supplemental fiber including seeded foods like brown rice, buckwheat, millet and oats are recommended along with plenty of raw fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, raisins, squash, and sweet potatoes. Eat small meals and do not overeat. Remember, obessity is one of the main causes of high blood pressure and heart disease.

10. Avoid foods that are high in fat and cholesterol.

Foods such as aged meats and cheeses, anchovies, avocados, chicken liver, chocolate, fava beans, pickled herring, sour cream, sherry and wine, yogurt, bacon, corned beef, pork sausage, smoked or processed meats, gravies and bouillons. Eat only white fish and skinless turkey or chicken.

---

About the Submitter

This content may be forwarded in full, with copyright, contact, and creation information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit context. For other uses, permission in writing from CoachVille is required. Questions: email topten@coachville.com

Please use your browser controls to close this page & return to the selection page, or click to return to Top 10 home page.