Hypertension or High blood pressure as it is commonly referred to affects nearly 65 million adults in USA alone (source: FDA). Hypertension gives a higher risk of heart attack or stroke than any other disease. Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure.

Hypertension though easily manageable, can be very dangerous as many people have it but don’t know it. Over time, people who do not get treated, are at increased risk for the fatal diseases listed above.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is expressed as a ratio of systolic pressure, or the pressure when the heart pushed blood out into the arteries to diastolic pressure, or the pressure when the heart rests. 120/80 is usually the normal blood pressure.Blood pressure varies during the day depending on activity/stress level. Treat ment is recommended if blood pressure consistently stays above 140/90.

Symptoms

Hypertension may or may not exhibit any distinctive symptoms.This makes you all the more susceptible to its dangerous side effects since you do not know that you are suffering from it. When suffering from very high blood pressure, you may experience headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, visual impairment and buzzing in the ears. If you experience any of these, immediately contact your health care provider.

Are you at risk due to Hypertension

Research suggests factors affecting your blood pressure include genetic heritage, lifestyle or daily routine, Obesity and kidney ailments. If your an African American, over 55 years of age, or if high blood pressure is present in your family history, then you may be at a increased risk.

You may also be at an increased risk if you consume tobacco or alcohol in huge amounts,eat excessively salty food or have an unhealthy diet, do not exercise, and are very stressed.

Certain medications drugs or supplements may induce or aggravate your high blood pressure. Hypertension is a known side effect of certain antidepressants, cold medicines, oral contraceptives and Cocaine.

How can I control Hypertension?

Changes in lifestyle help keep your blood pressure in check. You must -

• Eat a healthy diet - lots of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products .This will help you keep lower your weight , hence reducing risk of high blood pressure.
• Limit sodium consumption to 1,500 to 2,400 milligrams a day; in general, less is better.
• Engage in physical activity that increases your heart and breathing rates for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Bust the Stress - Excersice, listening to music you enjoy, meditation are great stress busters.
• Limit alcohol to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.

The following natural herbs help in controlling blood pressure, without any side effects:

• Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) The bark of arjun tree is useful as an anti-ischemic and cardioprotective agent in hypertension and ischemic heart diseases. It reduces the level of triglycerides and cholesterol and has been reported to enhance the synthesis of LDL-apoprotein (apoB); inhibits the oxidation of LDL and accelerates the turnover of LDL-cholesterol in liver. This enhances the elimination of cholesterol from the body.
• Guggulu, also known as Guggulipid, is a standardized extract from the Commiphora mukul tree, which is native to India. Research has shown that by increasing the breakdown of LDL cholesterol in the liver, it can lower LDL cholesterol levels by 25-35%. Guggulipid can also lower total cholesterol by 14-27%, triglycerides by 22-30%, and increase HDL cholesterol by approximately 20%.
• Garlic or Allium sativum, helps fight cholestrol levels, prevents blood clots, thus lowering your risk of a stroke. Clinical trials suggest that consumption of one clove of garlic or equivalent supplement significantly reduced blood pressure.

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