Diet for people with high blood pressure

In 90–95 percent of cases, research scientists don’t know what causes high blood pressure, but fortunately they know enough to have developed both drug and non-drug products to treat it effectively 9.

A wide variety of medications are available to medical professionals for treating high blood pressure. Although other classes of medications are sometimes prescribed, the most commonly prescribed can be broken down into five different classes of medications that work in different ways to lower pressure.

• Diuretics (water pills) work in the kidney to get rid of excess water and sodium.
• Beta-Blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels to cause the heart to beat more slowly and with less force.
• Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which would otherwise cause vessels to narrow.
• Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) block the action of angiotensin II.
• Calcium Channel Blockers prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, causing blood vessels to relax.10

As of June, 2005, there didn’t appear to be much global agreement among medical experts worldwide in terms of recommended first-line therapy for treating high blood pressure 11. I think it is important to note that in June, 2006, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the British Hypertension Society have come to an agreement within the UK, and have issued new guidelines, including important changes to help guide primary care physicians in determining first-line therapy 12. A major change is that Beta-Blockers, which have been shown to be less effective in preventing strokes and more likely to cause diabetes, are no longer recommended as routine treatment for the majority of people with high blood pressure. Instead, ACE Inhibitors (or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers if there are side effects) are now recommended in the UK for most people, with some exceptions, before trying other classes of medication for hypertension.

As with any medication, there may be side effects from taking ACE Inhibitors, and some should not use them at all, including black people of any age 12. According to the Mayo Clinic, a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, also in June, 2006, indicated an increased risk of birth defects in children whose mothers took ACE inhibitors during the first trimester, adding to the known risks during the second and third trimesters 12, 13. While most people can tolerate ACE Inhibitors, some may experience side effects such as cough, elevated blood potassium levels, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, weakness, abnormal taste (metallic or salty taste), and rash. Rare, but more serious side effects include kidney failure, allergic reactions, a decrease in white blood cells, and swelling of tissues (angioedema) 14.

Very similar to ACE Inhibitors are ARB medications, and depending on the individual’s particular health issues, a doctor may switch between the two, and may sometimes prescribe both 15. The most common side effects with ARBs are cough, elevated potassium levels, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, diarrhea, abnormal taste sensation (metallic or salty taste), and rash. Compared to ACE inhibitors, cough occurs less often with ARBs. The most serious, but rare, side effects are kidney failure, liver failure, allergic reactions, a decrease in white blood cells, and swelling of tissues (angioedema) 16.

On January 19, 2007, Rush University Medical Center reported findings that ACE Inhibitors and ARBs prevent people from getting diabetes, and that diuretics and beta-blockers increase the chance that a person becomes diabetic. The authors pointed out that more studies are required to determine whether new-onset diabetes leads to as many heart attacks, strokes or death, as long-standing diabetes. However, their data suggests that the differences between antihypertensive drugs regarding the risk for new-onset diabetes are real and are significant17.

Melaleuca offers a natural high blood pressure remedy formula called ProStolic™, which interacts with a natural body enzyme much like the ACE Inhibitors and ARB medications to relax blood vessels and allow healthy blood flow. As a comparison, it might be helpful to understand how the ACE and ARB class of drugs react, as well as how the non-drug hypertension remedy ProStolic™ reacts with the body.

9. High Blood Pressure Causes. American Heart Association.

10. Blood Pressure Medicines. American Academy of Family Physicians.

11. Comparing Guidelines for Treating Hypertension in an Effort to Improve Patient Management, Especially for Resistant Hypertension. American College of Cardiology Foundation.

12. Choosing the right blood medicines for you. UK Blood Pressure Association.

13. ACE inhibitors: New warning for pregnant women. Mayo Clinic, special to CNN.com, June 09, 2006

14. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors. Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, Pharm.D., Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, M.D. MedicineNet.

15. ARBs & ACE Inhibitors…Powerful Blood Pressure Treatments. Medical Author: Dwight Makoff, M.D., Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, M.D., Ph.D.MedicineNet.

16. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB) . Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, Pharm.D. Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, M.D. MedicineNet.

17. Study Finds Differences between Blood Pressure Medicines and Newly-Diagnosed Diabetes. Rush University Medical Center. Press Release January 19, 2007.

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