What is Hypertension?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries, depending on whether the heart muscle is contracting (systolic blood pressure), or relaxing between contractions (diastolic blood pressure).
High blood pressure, also known as raised blood pressure or hypertension, is where blood pressure is permanently higher than normal.
If left unchecked, it can lead to serious health problems like heart disease or stroke.
Healthy Blood Pressure Range:
A normal blood pressure reading is usually around 120/80 mmHg.
Hypertension
is typically defined as 140/90 mmHg or higher.
The latest figures indicate that 34% of Australian adults had high blood pressure, 24% is uncontrolled and 11% controlled with medication.
Symptoms
Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because it may not show obvious symptoms. Some people may experience:
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
- Dizziness
Health Implications
If untreated, hypertension can lead to:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney damage
- Vision problems
Common Drugs Prescribed
- ACE inhibitors (e.g., Enalapril) – Side effects: cough, fatigue
- Beta-blockers (e.g., Metoprolol) – Side effects: dizziness, cold hands
- Calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine) – Side effects: swelling, flushing
- Diuretics (e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide) – Side effects: increased urination, electrolyte imbalance
Medications for hypertension don’t actually address the root cause—they just manage the symptoms. This means you could be on them for life, dealing with side effects along the way. That’s why it makes sense to tackle the problem at its source.
The Good News
Plenty of high-quality studies show that natural treatments for hypertension can deliver impressive results—sometimes even better than medication!
The following chart shows the impact of diet & lifestyle practices can have in reducing blood pressure as demonstrated in human trials.
Results from fasting were seen in just 2 days before any weight loss was observed (maybe from the reduction of stress hormones). Once food was re-introduced blood pressure did increase but not back to the original levels.
A low fat plant based diet got the best results.
Proven Natural Treatments for Hypertension
- Diet: Focus on a plant-based, low-sodium diet.
- Exercise: Regular moderate-intensity activities like walking, swimming.
- Stress Management: Yoga, meditation, deep breathing.
- Herbal Supplements: Garlic, hibiscus tea, and flax seeds can help lower blood pressure.
- Weight Management: Reducing excess weight lowers pressure on the arteries.
People on blood pressure medication will have to have their levels monitored and medication probably decreased and or stopped.
How to Take Control
- Regularly monitor your blood pressure.
- Adopt a heart-healthy diet and stay active.
- If on medication, combine it with natural treatments for a holistic approach.