Hypertension, or high blood pressure, acts as a silent killer because people often do not notice it until damage occurs. If you think that you are at risk, it is important to have your blood pressure monitored regularly, because hypertension can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and retinal (eye) damage. Let's explore how you can get high blood pressure support through diet and supplementation. 

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Narrowed arteries and reduced arterial elasticity primarily cause hypertension. Unhealthy fats can narrow and harden arterial walls. Kidney disease, obesity, stress, heavy metal toxicity, and poor diet can also cause hypertension. There are some ways that we can reduce damage and our risk of hypertension through lifestyle, diet and activities like detoxification and complementary therapies. Ensure you are eating the right amounts of healthy fats and taking the right supplements for optimal health.

What Are Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

Most people do not have symptoms because their blood pressure rises slowly over many years. Symptoms of fluctuating blood pressure may be present and include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nosebleeds and flushed cheeks. Symptoms of decreased circulation can accompany high blood pressure and include angina, leg pain, forgetfulness and ringing in the ears. Doctors diagnose hypertension when blood pressure readings exceed 140/90 in at least three separate occasions. In people over 50, the exact reading necessary to diagnose hypertension can be variable. A single reading of high blood pressure is generally not accepted as official because environmental factors such as stress and the amount of salt recently eaten can skew the reading.

Your blood pressure is measured in two ways: when the heart is beating (systolic) and in between beats (diastolic). The first (higher) number is the systolic, and the second (lower) number is the diastolic pressure. If you have consistently high blood pressure, you might consider purchasing a digital blood pressure cuff, which conveniently allows you to measure your own blood pressure in your own home or office.

Are There Treatment Options For High Blood Pressure?

Conventional Options

Conventional treatment of hypertension involves medication to decrease blood volume (diuretics, ACE inhibitors) or reduce tension in the vessels (beta-blockers). Diuretics increase the excretion of minerals like magnesium and potassium. This can cause problems maintaining heart rhythm and muscle spasms. ACE inhibitors deplete zinc. Beta-blockers deplete coenzyme Q10. Other medications may be given to control the root cause of the high blood pressure, like sedatives, cholesterol-reducing drugs or drugs to maintain kidney function.

Natural Supplement Options

Natural treatment of hypertension involves lifestyle and dietary changes. Use stress reduction techniques such as regular exercise, deep breathing and massage. Chiropractic care will align the upper spine to ensure proper nerve conduction to the heart. Hydrotherapy using cold arm baths can decrease blood pressure.

Emotions such as worry and fear can contribute to hypertension and should be addressed. Colour therapy and biofeedback have been studied with regard to their blood pressure lowering effects. You might also explore a variety of different chelation treatments available, which have been clinically proven to cleanse the arteries of blockages.

Chelation treatments available include: intravenous (available in clinics), oral tablets, and a new suppository form proven nearly as effective as I.V.

Dietary Considerations

The standard North American diet predisposes people to developing high blood pressure due to its saturated and trans fatty acid content. To prevent hypertension, maintain a healthy weight. Drink lots of clear fluids and eat raw fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Include green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, vegetable protein, like soybeans, and unrefined oils like olive, flax and sunflower in your daily diet. Foods to avoid are any junk foods, fried foods, processed foods, fast foods, white flour products, white sugar products, red meat, margarine, shortening, artificial sweeteners, diet foods, salt, coffee, colas and other caffeine sources. Eliminate alcohol, tobacco and highly spiced foods.