Other Names:
High Blood Pressure

Symptoms:
There may be no symptoms; but, if they occur, they may include headache, difficulty in breathing, blurred vision, rapid pulse, or a feeling of dizziness.

Overweight, a ruddy complexion, and apparently robust health may be the only outward manifestations in a man 50 or 60, who may have systolic pressure as high as 200 or more.

Hypertension is called the "silent killer" because it so often reveals few symptoms.

Cause:
High blood pressure is just that: The pressure of blood flow through the arteries is higher than it should be, and that pressure consistently remains higher.

A blood pressure gauge (sphygmomanometer) registers two readings: The first and higher one is the systolic; the second and lower one is the diastolic. The diastolic pressure occurs just before the heart beats, and is less important for determining blood pressure. But the systolic pressure reveals the pressure built up as the heart pumps blood out of the heart into the aorta (and thence through the arteries). High systolic pressure indicates that the cell walls are hardened and/or plaques are forming in the arteries, which are narrowing the passageways.

Average normal systolic blood pressure in an adult varies between 120 and 150 millimeters of mercury, and tends to increase with age. The arteries of older people tend to harden and thicken with age, and this produces the higher readings in later life.

The age, in relation to the figures, tells a lot: Systolic readings of 140-150 at 55 to 70 years of age need not be considered high; but, occurring in a man of 30, it points to a definite problem which needs attention.

Normal blood pressure readings for adults vary from 110/70 to 140/90 while readings of 140/90 to 160/90 or 160/95 indicate borderline hypertension. Any reading over 180/115 is far too elevated.

The hardening and clogging produces changes in the arteries, which produce hypertension, and are caused by aging, emotional stress, food, overeating, and heredity. Tobacco is another cause of hypertension, as is the taking of oral contraceptives. Drinking coffee or tea, drug abuse, and high sodium intake are other causes.

Hypertension can result in coronary artery disease, enlargement of the heart, or strokes. The acute infections (such as tonsillitis, scarlet fever, and typhoid fever), or focal infections from tonsils or teeth, sometimes lead to Bright's disease (a kidney disease), which is accompanied by high blood pressure. Sudden attacks of convulsions in pregnant women (eclampsia), and other kidney diseases of pregnancy, usually cause high blood pressure.

Primary hypertension (about 90% of the cases) do not have a direct cause. The rest (secondary hypertension) occurs as a result of other diseases. At any one time, about 10% of the people in America have primary hypertension. It affects over half of all people in the U.S. over 65. African-Americans have it more than a third more often than whites. Those who are 18-44 have it 18 times more often than whites. Women have hypertension less often than men until menopause is over; then, soon after, they have it as often.

Heavy snorers are more likely to have high blood pressure than silent sleepers.

Treatment:
• Habitual overeating, even of good food, will lead to hypertension. A person does not tend to overeat on healthfully prepared natural foods.

• Excessive protein food, sweats, rich pastry, and desserts must be omitted; but the reduction of all foods is especially important.

• Do not use salt; this is essential for lowering blood pressure. Read the labels: Many foods contain sodium. Look for "salt," "sodium," "soda," or "Na" on the label. Also avoid MSG (monosodium glutamate), baking soda, saccharin, soy sauce, diet soft drinks, preservatives, meat tenderizers, and softened water.

• Only drink distilled water.

• Eliminate all dairy products, for they are high in sodium.

• Do not use processed meats or canned vegetables.

• Stress, fear, anger, and pain increases blood pressure. Adequate daily outdoor exercise helps reduce the effects of stress.

• Eat a high-fiber diet. Include oat bran; it appears to be the very best type for the purposes you have in mind.

• For oil, take 2 tbsp. flaxseed oil daily.

• Use no animal fat of any kind; it is best to avoid meat, since there is so much of it in meat.

• Do not eat chocolate, alcohol, avocados, aged cheeses, and yogurt.

• Include supplemental calcium in your diet.

• Avoid more than 400 units of vitamin D daily.

• Drink fresh vegetable juices.

• Garlic definitely lowers blood pressure. Actually, it tends to normalize it. In those with low blood pressure, it raises it. Fresh, raw garlic is the best.

• Obtain sufficient rest at night; do not eat later than several hours before bedtime.

• Do a pulse test in order to ascertain offending foods you are allergic to (see "Pulse Test").

• If you are pregnant, check your blood pressure regularly.

• Do not take antihistamines.

• Do not take supplements containing the amino acids tyrosine or phenylalanine.

• Keep your weight down! Loss of weight lowers blood pressure. If you are overweight and have high blood pressure, you would do well fasting one or two days a week.

• When the situation is critical, special care must be given to produce successful recovery:

• Adequate rest, both physical and mental, is needed, though mild exercise is beneficial to those with moderate hypertension. Even the visits of friends and relatives may have to be restricted or prohibited for a time.

• Gradually start mild exercise. Walk out-of-doors and gradually (slowly!) build up the amount of time spent in outdoor walking.

• All blood pressure medications tend to have negative effects. Moderate exercise, rest, sleep, and proper diet will provide better help.

• No vigorous or tonic hydrotherapy, or even massage, should be used. The neutral bath and complete bed rest is needed.

• One recommended program is fruit and rice, alone, for 1-2 weeks.