HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Here’s the most telling fact about high blood pressure, a quintessentially modern disease?in remote regions of the world, there is almost no incidence of high blood pressure. It is not until people emigrate to more “civilized” areas that their blood pressure tends to increase. It may be that the change in their diet or the increased stress of a technological society is to blame, or it may be a combination of both.

Exactly why certain people get high blood pressure is not clear, except for the relatively few cases that obviously result from another disease. What we do know is that this condition, if it is not controlled, increases your chances of dying from a stroke or heart attack.

You are more prone to high blood pressure if you have problems with your kidneys, adrenal glands or blood vessels, eat lots of salt, are overweight or do not exercise regularly. The jury is still out on the long-term effects of caffeine on high blood pressure, but it is well documented that nicotine contributes to it. Stress also plays a big role?have you ever heard that just being nervous about a visit to the doctor can make your blood pressure jump? Actually, stress and nicotine work in a similar fashion. They both increase the release of adrenaline, which in turn raises blood pressure.

High blood pressure is nothing to fool around with?you should have your blood pressure checked regularly by a doctor, who will tell you what your reading means. Doctors in North America generally prescribe pharmaceutical drugs to treat high blood pressure. In Europe and Asia, where herbalism is generally more accepted than in the United States, physicians often prescribe herbs before turning to drugs.

If your blood pressure is only borderline high, like my neighbor Frederick’s, you might try herbs and see if they work for you. I will admit that Frederick’s doctor considered him one difficult patient?he kept asking about remedies called Baldrian and Weissdorn that he remembered from his native Germany. His doctor insisted that these drugs were not available in the United States and that it was unlikely that they had no side effects, as Frederick stubbornly claimed. So Frederick left the office without a prescription and called his brother in Germany. He discovered that his brother’s doctor had indeed prescribed these remedies for his high blood pressure, but they were not drugs?they were the herbs known as valerian and hawthorn in English. Frederick easily found them in the local natural food store and wasted no time in starting an herbal and dietary program.

A month later, when Frederick went back to his doctor, his blood pressure was indeed lower. As stubborn as ever, he convinced his skeptical doctor to give the herbs a chance. After all, a respectable heart doctor had prescribed them to his brother in Germany. To help keep his blood pressure low, Frederick decided to take more time to relax, and he went back to Germany. He had some great stories to tell, but when the subject of American medicine came up, he always added, “Mein Gott, they do know a lot, but they still have a lot to learn about God’s simple gifts of healing: the herbs.”

Another way to maintain healthy blood pressure is to make your diet more herbal. Just adding garlic to a meal can keep your blood pressure lower for an entire day. In a 1987 study, the average blood pressure of volunteers dropped significantly when they took a daily dose of garlic oil?the equivalent of one-third of an ounce of fresh garlic?over a four-week period. When onion oil was given to people who had high blood pressure, their blood pressure also fell. As an added benefit, their cholesterol was also reduced.

There are also other dietary changes that can help you. If you drink coffee or black tea and also suffer from high blood pressure, consider switching to green tea. The Japanese neurologist Yoshikazu Sato, M.D., has found that green tea lowers high blood pressure. He believes that this may be why Japanese women who drink green tea experience only half as many deaths from stroke as those who don’t, even though their diet contains large quantities of salt. The popularity of green tea in Japan may be one reason why the Japanese have less incidence of high blood pressure and heart disease than North Americans do.

Another way the Japanese are getting heart benefits is from all the kelp they eat. If you visit Japan, you can’t help noticing that this plant appears in almost every meal?they even make noodles out of kelp! Japanese researchers, who are highly interested in kelp’s health benefits, have done many studies on how kelp and other seaweeds keep blood pressure down. The results of these studies have been reported in various Japanese medical journals. One way to eat your way to a healthy blood pressure is to use powdered kelp and garlic as seasoning in place of salt. Although kelp contains some salt from the ocean waters it lives in, this is only a “sprinkling” compared to straight salt. The transition is simple. Dump the salt out of your saltshaker and replace it with one of the many salt substitutes sold in grocery stores that contain various herbs, including powdered kelp. You will also find recipes for using kelp in chapters 125 through 135. Kelp pills are sold along with other herbal supplements in natural food stores.

Since high blood pressure so often goes hand in hand with tension, the herbal sedatives valerian, skullcap, lemon balm, linden and motherwort hold promise. These herbs reduce stress and muscle tension and may also prove helpful in lowering blood pressure. There is some scientific evidence to support this, especially from studies on motherwort conducted by Italian and Chinese researchers.

Sedative aromas have also been shown to reduce blood pressure temporarily. See chapter 115 to learn how blood pressure can be lowered simply by sniffing a cinnamon-apple blend or orange blossom essential oil (also called neroli). Even sniffing an orange will provide a similar effect, though to a lesser degree. Next time you feel your blood pressure rising, try biting into a fragrant apple or peeling an orange! Also try sniffing rose geranium oil to keep your blood pressure steady. All these scents can also be used in a relaxing, blood pressure lowering massage or bath oil.

High Blood Pressure Tea

1 quart boiling water

1 teaspoon each hawthorn berries and flowers, ginger rhizome, valerian root and motherwort leaves

Pour boiling water over the herbs and steep for 20 minutes. Strain herbs. Drink at least 2 cups a day. You can also make these herbs into a tincture using the same proportions, or you can look for commercial tinctures with similar herbs in them.

Blood Pressure Lowering Massage Oil

12 drops each orange and geranium essential oils

2 drops cinnamon essential oil

4 ounces vegetable oil

Combine ingredients. Use as a massage oil or add a teaspoon to your bath, and stir well to disperse it before getting in the tub.

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

You have probably heard people complain about their blood pressure being too high, but how about the reverse problem? While it is not too common, many people do suffer from symptoms caused by low blood pressure. If you have low blood pressure, you know that sometimes so little blood reaches your brain that simply getting out of a chair may be all it takes to make the room start swimming around you. But it is not just dizziness that results from low blood pressure?fatigue can also be a problem. And what are the causes? Low blood pressure can be caused by infections, fever and anemia, as well as more serious conditions, such as excessive bleeding and certain types of debilitating diseases.

If you have a relatively minor case of chronic low blood pressure?your doctor will tell you whether or not it is serious?that is not the result of an emergency situation, European physicians have an answer for you. Rosemary infused in white wine is a centuries-old European treatment for poor circulation, low blood pressure and the headaches brought on by these conditions. Even today, German pharmacists sell a rosemary ointment that is designed to be rubbed over the heart to increase blood pressure. You can make your own version of this ointment by infusing rosemary leaves in a vegetable oil and using the infusion as a massage oil. For instructions on how to make this herbal oil, see Rosemary Heart Oil on page 72.

Herbalists have found that some of the same herbs that raise blood pressure also help lower it. Because of their complex chemistry, hawthorn, ginger, Siberian ginseng and ginseng apparently “normalize” blood pressure, adjusting it according to your body’s needs. Studies have shown that a single compound in ginger can both raise and lower blood pressure. A study conducted in Great Britain in 1984 showed that ginseng works the same way. When given to people experiencing low blood pressure, shock and an irregular heartbeat, it helps increase blood pressure and seems to strengthen heart contractions.

Siberian ginseng has a similar story. As shown in studies conducted through the Soviet Academy of Sciences in the 1960s and 1970s, this herb elevates blood pressure only in persons whose blood pressure is low. The researchers who organized these studies observed that Siberian ginseng regulated blood pressure by tightening the walls of arteries. Both ginsengs have been proven to provide a much needed mental and physical boost in people who have low blood pressure.

Another potential blood pressure balancer is rose geranium. This herb is used in experimental outpatient clinics for the elderly in Azerbaijan. Doctors there write prescriptions for their patients to sit and sniff this fragrant plant twice a day. Just inhaling the scent of rose geranium is said to adjust blood pressure?either to raise or lower it?depending upon what the person needs. The Azerbaijani doctors use the actual plant, which is commonly sold in nurseries, but you can also buy the essential oil, which is usually sold as geranium. To take advantage of this essential oil’s powers, add a few drops to your bath water or simply put a drop on a cotton ball and sniff it.

One interesting herbal compound that has been proved to lower blood pressure is forskolin. This compound is considered a prototype of a new kind of drug to treat low blood pressure, congestive heart failure, blood clotting and asthma and to reduce the pressure in the eye in people with glaucoma. This compound comes from the plant Coleus forskohli and was discovered because a closely related coleus is used in the traditional Ayurvedic and Unani healing systems in India. Eventually, this compound will probably be offered both as a drug and as an herbal product.

Rosemary Heart Oil

 cup olive oil

 cup dried rosemary leaves

Pour oil over leaves in a clean jar. Place in a warm location (in the sun or on a radiator, for instance) for 2 days. Strain out the leaves. Use this infusion as a massage oil to rub on the chest.

Low Blood Pressure Tincture

 teaspoon each tinctures of hawthorn berries and flowers, ginger rhizome, rosemary leaves and Siberian ginseng root

Combine ingredients. Take half a dropperful 2 to 4 times a day.

Normal Blood Pressure Levels

Blood pressure is always recorded in terms of systolic and diastolic pressure. The normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80 mm of Hg, wherein 120 is systolic pressure and 80 is the diastolic pressure. The blood pressure figures are written one above the other, as numerator and denominator, wherein the numerator signifies the systole and the denominator signifies the diastolic pressure. They are also written one before the other, separated by a slash (120/80 mm of Hg).

Blood pressure varies during the day and is the lowest while one sleeps and rises when the person wakes up. Moreover, blood pressure rises when one is nervous, active or excited. For most of the waking hours, the blood pressure is recorded as an average of 120/80 mm of Hg. When the blood pressure level reaches 140/90 or higher, it is called high blood pressure or hypertension. High blood pressure implies that the heart is working harder to pump blood, thereby increasing the chances of heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems.

Normal Blood Pressure in Women

A blood pressure below 120/80 is regarded as normal blood pressure reading in women, according to the American Heart Association. A range of 120-139/80-89 mm of Hg is regarded as pre-hypertensive zone, which can be brought to a normal level with lifestyle modification. Regular exercise, low sodium- high blood pressure diet, etc. can help prevent the blood pressure level from entering the hypertensive zone. Once the blood pressure levels exceed 140/90, aggressive treatment is required. Often women are considered to be less likely to develop high blood pressure as compared to men. Several studies have revealed that women develop high blood pressure less frequently than men. It is believed that factors such as estrogen protect women from developing such a condition. However, this belief is only partly true.

Women below a certain age group tend to develop high blood pressure less frequently than men, due to the estrogen levels in the body. However, the fact is that as women grow older, the protective effects of estrogen decrease and by the retirement years, both men and women share the same amount of risk. Studies reveal that beyond the age of 50, one out of every two women develop hypertension. Research has linked high blood reading to birth control pills. Moreover, studies reveal that smoking amplifies the link. Women on oral contraceptives should quit smoking and have their blood pressure checked regularly. On the other hand, pregnant women can also develop high blood pressure such as gestational hypertension. In this condition, treatment is needed to attain the normal blood pressure rate, so as to avoid problems for the mother and baby. Moreover, during the menopausal stage, levels of estrogen drop significantly, thereby spearheading the risk of elevated blood pressure levels.

Hypertension is often called a ‘silent killer’, since it shows no symptoms for a long time. Often people do not realize when their blood pressure levels have exceeded the normal blood pressure levels. If this condition is left untreated, the chances of kidney damage, heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases increases drastically. Women with both diabetes and hypertension are at a greater risk of heart attack and kidney damage. An active and healthy lifestyle will help maintain normal blood pressure in women.

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term that includes diseases of the heart and blood vessels. By far, the most common diseases that plague American adults are high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. More than 73 million Americans have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. More than 16.8 million have coronary artery disease. The good news is that they are both treated through similar approaches: diet, exercise and medication.

Getting Started

Before embarking on any regimen to manage your blood pressure or cholesterol levels, it is important to understand your current health challenges so that you know where you are headed and how to get there. The place to begin is your doctor’s office. Make an appointment with your family physician for a complete physical examination. Be sure it includes a health history, blood pressure measurements on both arms while at rest and a comprehensive blood lipid panel. If you are older than 40 or have a family history of cardiovascular disease, you may need a resting electrocardiogram and exercise stress test. Schedule a time to go over the results with your doctor.

Hypertension is blood pressure higher than 120/80. The first number is the systolic blood pressure and the second number is the diastolic blood pressure. Both numbers are important and reflect your risk for heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends that blood cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dl be managed by your physician.

Limiting Sodium in Your Diet

One of the easiest ways to get started managing your blood pressure is to limit your daily intake of salt or sodium. Americans consume between 3,900 to 4,300 mg of sodium a day. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends lowering your sodium intake to 2,300 mg or less. A good way to start is by exchanging high sodium foods with lower sodium alternatives. For instance, limit the amount of canned vegetables in your diet and exchange them for fresh or frozen vegetables. Some types of canned vegetables contain as much as 460 mg of sodium, while fresh vegetables contain fewer than 70 mg. If you must eat canned vegetables, rinse them before eating.

Replacing High Sodium Foods

After you have eliminated high sodium foods from your diet, try exchanging them for low-sodium alternatives. Instead of high fat dairy products, try natural and low-fat varieties. Look on the packaging label for the amount of sodium in each serving. Eat fresh poultry, fish and lean meats instead of canned, smoked or processed meats. Limit cured foods like pickles and olives and buy the low-sodium brands of soy sauce and salad dressings. Use spices instead of salt. Cook with herbs, lemon juice, line, vinegar and salt-free bands of seasoning.

Managing High Cholesterol

The easiest way to ensure you are limiting the amount of cholesterol in your diet to less than 300 mg per day is to eat a heart-healthy diet. The American Heart Association recommends eating 8 to 10 servings per day of fruits and vegetables. Include 6 or more servings of whole grain products like breads, cereals, rice and pasta. Eat 2 to 3 servings of fat-free or non-fat dairy products, along with 5 to 6 oz. of lean meats or poultry. Finally, add 2 servings a week of grilled or baked fish and 4 to 5 servings of nuts and seeds. Switch to unsaturated vegetable oils like canola, corn, olive and safflower oils.

High Cholesterol Foods to Eliminate

Foods to limit include whole milk products, butter, eggs and cheese, marbled meats, duck and goose meat, organ meats like liver, kidney and brains and highly processed meats like sausage, hot dogs and bologna. Eliminate saturated cooking fats like lard, shortening and partially hydrogenated margarine.

a Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts;b Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts;c Obesity Prevention Program, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School/Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Boston, Massachusetts; and Departments of d Epidemiology ande Society, Health, and Human Development, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts

OBJECTIVES More rapid infant weight gain may be associated with better neurodevelopment but also with higher blood pressure (BP). The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which infant weight gain is associated with systolic BP (SBP) and IQ at school age in former preterm, low birth weight infants.

METHODS We studied 911 participants in the Infant Health and Development Program, an 8-center longitudinal study of children born at 37 weeks’ gestation and 2500 g. Study staff weighed participants at term and at 4 and 12 months’ corrected ages; measured BP 3 times at 6.5 years; and administered the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Third Edition (WISC-III), an IQ test, at 8 years. In linear regression, we modeled our exposure “infant weight gain” as the 12-month weight z score adjusted for the term weight z score.

RESULTS Median (interquartile range) weight z score was –0.7 (–1.5 to –0.0) at 12 months. Mean SD SBP at 6.5 years was 104.2 8.4 mmHg, and mean SD WISC-III total score at 8 years was 91 18. Adjusting for child gender, age, and race and maternal education, income, age, IQ, and smoking, for each z score additional weight gain from term to 12 months, SBP was 0.7 mmHg higher and WISC-III total score was 1.9 points higher.

CONCLUSIONS In preterm infants, there seem to be modest neurodevelopmental advantages of more rapid weight gain in the first year of life and only small BP-related effects.

Key Words: preterm infant • infant • blood pressure • cognition • fetal programming • growth and development • postnatal growth • small for gestational age

Abbreviations: BP = blood pressure • SBP = systolic BP • IHDP = Infant Health and Development Program • WISC-III = Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Third Edition • GA = gestational age • aOR = adjusted odds ratio

Accepted Jan 28, 2010.

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By altering your diet and taking a pro-active approach to healthy eating, you can easily help to lower your blood pressure. One of the major causes of high blood pressure is cholesterol. People with high levels of cholesterol are almost certain to have higher blood pressure when compared to someone with a healthy diet. Cholesterol causes fatty deposits to coat the artery walls. Over time these fats form into a hard plaque that reduces the size of arteries and blood vessels making them smaller and smaller. There is still the same amount of blood trying to force it’s way through these vessels and this is what can lead to high blood pressure.

Another great way of how to lower high blood pressure is to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet. We all like our sweets and desserts but here again simply by lowering your sugar intake can really help reduce high blood pressure. Your blood can thicken from too much glucose as a result of consuming high amounts of sugary foods. If your blood is thicker than it normally should be it is again harder to circulate and so causes high blood pressure.

By avoiding eating foods which can cause high blood pressure then you are taking steps to help reduce it naturally. These include nicotine which is in cigarettes and other tobacco products. Excessive alcohol consumption has also been proved to increase the risk, so by lowering your alcohol intake it will also help reduce high blood pressure, as will cutting down on the amount of caffeine in your diet.

It has to be said that exercise is possibly one of the best solutions, not just for blood pressure, but for overall health in general. However, be sure to always consult a medical professional before undertaking any new workouts. Weight lifting is something that should be avoided because this can be very stressful on the heart. Highly intensive cardiovascular workouts are also not good for people with high blood pressure as this type of workout greatly raises your blood pressure.

One of the best ways is through some gentle exercising. And consistent exercise will help you to lower cholesterol levels, lose weight and therefore ultimately affect blood pressure. Exercises such as pilates and yoga are all effective at lowering blood pressure naturally as well as being extremely beneficial to the health of your heart. Whenever exercising, take care to warm up and cool down before and after. This will prevent any dangerous spikes in pressure that could rapidly occur.

By using these simple tips on diet and exercise you will be well on your way to achieving a more normal range blood pressure level and also help reduce high blood pressure in the future.

New York, NY, June 1st, 2009- Hammacher Schlemmer announces the selection of The Best Blood Pressure Wrist Monitor, chosen over other models in tests by the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute for its superior accuracy, comfort, and ease of use.

“Since its inception in 1983, the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute has been committed to testing consumer products and determining which are the best,” explained Tara-Ann Dugan, Product Research Manager.

The Hammacher Schlemmer Institute commissioned a registered nurse to compare each model’s readings with blood pressure measurements obtained using a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. The Best Blood Pressure Wrist Monitor deviated only 5.92% from the nurse’s measurements (considered “very accurate” by the European Society of Hypertension), far superior to lesser models that were off by as much as 23.57%.

“Unlike other monitors that were difficult to start, The Best Blood Pressure Wrist Monitor model automatically inflates around the wrist to the optimal level and measures blood pressure at the touch of a button, leading to one of the highest possible scores for ease of use,” stated Tara-Ann Dugan. Panelists lauded The Best Blood Pressure Wrist Monitor for being “very comfortable on the wrist,” while lesser models were described as “awkward”and “very tight.” It accommodates 5 ” to 8 ” wrists, stores 60 readings, and comes with a hard plastic case that provides optimal protection during travel.

The Best Blood Pressure Wrist Monitor is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $89.95. For more information, please visit www.hammacher.com or call 1-800-543-3366.

About Hammacher Schlemmer Hammacher Schlemmer is America’s longest running catalog, offering the Best, the Only, and the Unexpected since 1848. The company provides unique products that solve problems or represent the only one of their kind, and backs its products by a rather famous Lifetime Guarantee of Complete Satisfaction. Hammacher Schlemmer’s innovative offerings are available through its catalog, online at www.hammacher.com, and at its landmark store on East 57th Street in New York City.

About The Hammacher Schlemmer Institute The Hammacher Schlemmer Institute is an independent, affiliated, testing organization that was started in 1983 to test products to determine those items that are superior in a given category. The Institute regularly conducts rigorous product tests in laboratory and home settings, in consultation with technicians, experts, and consumer panels.

On top of all the other dangers of smoking, the nicotine in tobacco products can raise your blood pressure by 10 mm Hg or more for up to an hour after you smoke. Smoking throughout the day means your blood pressure may remain constantly high.

You should also avoid secondhand smoke. Inhaling smoke from others also puts you at risk of health problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease.

7. Cut back on caffeine

The role caffeine plays in blood pressure is still debatable. Drinking caffeinated beverages can temporarily cause a spike in your blood pressure, but it’s unclear whether the effect is temporary or long lasting.

To see if caffeine raises your blood pressure, check your pressure within 30 minutes of drinking a cup of coffee or another caffeinated beverage you regularly drink. If your blood pressure increases by five to 10 points, you may be sensitive to the blood pressure raising effects of caffeine.

Regardless of your sensitivity to caffeine’s effects, doctors recommend you drink no more than 200 milligrams a day — about the amount in two cups of coffee.

8. Reduce your stress

Stress or anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure. Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed, such as work, family, finances or illness. Once you know what’s causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or reduce stress.

If you can’t eliminate all of your stressors, you can at least cope with them in a healthier way. Take breaks for deep-breathing exercises. Get a massage or take up yoga or meditation. If self-help doesn’t work, seek out a professional for counseling.

9. Monitor your blood pressure at home and make regular doctor’s appointments

If you have high blood pressure, you may need to monitor your blood pressure at home. Learning to self-monitor your blood pressure with an upper arm monitor can help motivate you. Talk to your doctor about home monitoring before getting started.

Regular visits to your doctor are also likely to become a part of your normal routine. These visits will help keep tabs on your blood pressure.

• Have a primary care doctor. People who don’t have a primary care doctor find it harder to control their blood pressure. If you can, visit the same health care facility or professional for all of your health care needs.
• Visit your doctor regularly. If your blood pressure isn’t well controlled, or if you have other medical problems, you might need to visit your doctor every month to review your treatment and make adjustments. If your blood pressure is under control, you might need to visit your doctor only every six to 12 months, depending on other conditions you might have.

10. Get support from family and friends

Supportive family and friends can help improve your health. They may encourage you to take care of yourself, drive you to the doctor’s office or embark on an exercise program with you to keep your blood pressure low. Talk to your family and friends about the dangers of high blood pressure.

If you find you need support beyond your family and friends, consider joining a support group. This may put you in touch with people who can give you an emotional or morale boost and who can offer practical tips to cope with your condition.

Previous page (2 of 2)

• See Also
• Hand Scheduled Section Focus
• Free blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?
• Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate?
• Stress and high blood pressure: What’s the connection?
• Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?
• Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?
• Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter?
• Exercise: A drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure
• High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?
• Weightlifting: Bad for your blood pressure?
• Blood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm?
• Resperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?
• Get the most out of home blood pressure monitoring
• Low-sodium recipes
• Video: What is blood pressure?
• Video: How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor
• Video: How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor
• DASH diet: Top 5 tips for dining out
• Shaking the salt habit
• Water softeners: How much sodium do they add?
• DASH diet: Top 5 tips for shopping and cooking
• Healthy chocolate — Dream or reality?
• Blog: Pass the salt, please
• Sample menus for the DASH eating plan
• DASH diet: Guide to recommended servings
• DASH diet recipes
• 10 tips for better sleep
• DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure
• Related Links
• Secondary hypertension
• Prehypertension
• Related Guides Children
• High blood pressure in children
• Parent

References

1. Chobanian AV, et al. The seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. New England Journal of Medicine. 2003;289:2560.
2. Flint AJ, et al. Body mass index, waist circumference, and risk of coronary artery disease: A prospective study among men and women. Obesity Research and Clinical Practice. In press. Accessed March 16, 2010.
3. Your guide to lowering blood pressure with DASH. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2010.
4. Forman JP, et al. Diet and lifestyle risk factors associated with incident hypertension in women. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2009;302:401.
5. Haskell WL, et al. Physical activity and public health: Updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2007;116:1081.
6. Chase NL, et al. The association of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity with incidence of hypertension in men. American Journal of Hypertension. 2009;22:417.
7. Reduce salt and sodium in your diet. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/prevent/sodium/sodium.htm. Accessed March 16, 2010.
8. Quitting smoking. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/prevent/q_smoke/q_smoke.htm. Accessed March 16, 2010.
9. Jefferis BJ, et al. Secondhand smoke (SHS) is associated with circulating markers of inflammation and endothelial function in adult men and women. Atherosclerosis. 2009;208:550.
10. Limit alcohol intake. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/prevent/sodium/sodium.htm. Accessed March 16, 2010.
11. Sparrenberger F, et al. Does psychosocial stress cause hypertension? A systematic review of observational studies. Journal of Human Hypertension. 2009;23:12.
12. Uiterwaal CS, et al. Coffee intake and incidence of hypertension. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;85:718.
13. Home blood pressure monitoring. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=576. Accessed March 9, 2010.

HI00027

May 1, 2010

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A normal healthy heart beats at a variable rate with extraordinarily complex fluctuations across a wide range of time scales. Reduced complexity of heart rate has both clinical and dynamical significance – it may provide warning of impending illness, or clues about the dynamics of the heart’s pacemaking system. In work published in the April issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine, simple and interesting heart rate dynamics in premature human infants is reported – reversible transitions to large-amplitude periodic oscillations – and the appearance and disappearance of these periodic oscillations is described by a simple mathematical model, called a Hopf bifurcation. The work was carried out by Abigail Flower, as part of her PhD thesis in biophysics, working together with Randall Moorman and Douglas Lake at the University of Virginia, and John Delos, at the College of William and Mary. Dr. Moorman explained the background of this research. “Two periodic cycles of heart rate have been known for over a century. One is respiratory sinus arrhythmia, the coupling of heart rate to breathing (our heart rate increases when we inhale and decreases when we exhale). Another cycle of heart rate is correlated with a cycle of blood pressure called Mayer waves. Abby’s work is quite different”.

Dr. Flower examines a different and previously uncharacterized heart rate cycle involving large decelerations of heart rates of infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU’s). A deceleration is a decrease in heart rate followed by a return to the base rate. She devised a heart rate deceleration detector using a pattern-matching algorithm inspired by wavelet theory, and applied it to a large clinical database. She found that large decelerations are common, and similar in shape among infants; they are usually isolated, but they sometimes appear in clusters. In rare cases a deceleration appears every fifteen seconds for epochs as long as two days. These long periodic sequences of decelerations occur spontaneously – they were not induced by controlled means – so they must be a normal or pathological mode of regular dynamics in the human cardiac pacemaking system near the time of birth.

This phenomenon is interesting from both clinical and dynamical perspectives. Periodic decelerations are dynamically interesting because they show that the control system of the heart rate can go into a previously uncharacterized oscillatory mode. Presently there is no physiological explanation for this phenomenon. Dr. Flower developed a mathematical theory, based upon Hopf bifurcation theory, which describes the abrupt beginnings and endings of clusters of periodic decelerations. A Hopf bifurcation is the most general theory describing how a system can change from stable to oscillatory. Such bifurcations occur for example in laser systems, oscillatory chemical reactions, predator-prey dynamics, and in the Hodgkin-Huxley model of the firing of nerve cells.

Dr. Moorman said “These observations and computations therefore provide a new point of contact with mathematical models of the heart rate control system. The group is presently investigating models of the control loops connecting heart rate with respiration and blood pressure to see whether the available models show such behavior.”

Heart rate decelerations, whether periodic or not, are clinically interesting because clusters of decelerations in neonates are statistically correlated with impending sepsis, a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream. Clusters of decelerations may begin to appear as many as 24 hours before any clinical signs of illness, so deceleration detection can provide early warning of bacterial infection in this vulnerable population.

“One of the pleasures of this kind of work is its interdisciplinary nature” said Dr. Delos. “As an undergraduate, Abby did a senior project with me in physics, studying the hydrogen atom. Then a few years ago she emailed me and asked if I would like to participate in this project, working with her and Randall, a cardiologist, and Doug, a statistician. Since then I’ve been like a kid in a candy store, absorbing all the knowledge I could, and working intensely – maybe I should say playing intensely – trying to make sense of the data. People have been using electronic methods to monitor the heart for over a century. Now Abby has developed new, continuous, noninvasive, purely electronic methods to monitor infants for infectious disease. It is a delightful result.”

Related methods of clinical monitoring, using noninvasive electronic observations and advanced mathematical tools to monitor for infectious disease, are now in use in more than 1000 NICU beds, and a large randomized clinical trial is underway to test the effect on infants’ outcomes.

Dr. Steven R. Goodman, Editor-in-Chief of Experimental Biology and Medicine, said “In this outstanding interdisciplinary study Dr. Flowers has reported interesting heart rate dynamics in premature human infants. This research team from the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary has elegantly described reversible transitions to large-amplitude periodic oscillations by a mathematical model based upon Hopf bifurcation theory.”

Source: Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine

There’s been a growing body of research that shows that many of the everyday produce we consume can prevent, and even cure common diseases, and some of them can even slow down the way the body ages.

One of such power food is no other than blueberries. There’s been numerous studies conducted recently that support the claim that blueberries are indeed a super food that has beneficial anti-aging effects on the body, and lots of other healing properties.

Lets’ take a look at some of the ways these little purple wonders can help you:

Potent Source Of Antioxidants
Several research studies confirm that blueberries are one of the most nutritious foods on the market today. That’s because blueberries are extremely rich in antioxidants. In a recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) comparison of antioxidant properties of more than 20 different fruits, blueberries emerged at the top of the list, rating highest in their capacity to destroy free radicals.

What makes blueberries such a super antioxidant?
It’s all attributed to anthocyanins that give blueberries it’s beautiful purple pigment. Anthocyanins are antioxidant flavonoids that protect against some common health problems, and possibly certain effects of aging.

Effective In Slowing Down Aging Of The Brain
One of the signs of aging in the human body is the accumulation of oxidative damage to cells. Our body constantly reacts with oxygen as we breathe, and our cells produce energy. As a consequence of this activity, highly reactive molecules are produced known as free radicals. When free radicals interact with other molecules within cells, this can cause oxidative damage which can to conditions such as alzheimer’s, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The brain is particularly vulnerable to damage caused by free radicals, resulting in age related motor, and memory impairment, as well as neurological diseases such a Parkinson’s. There is ample research documentation which supports blueberry’s protective benefits against age related brain deterioration.

In one such study conducted in a Boston laboratory, they put one group of young rats on a blueberry-rich diet, and another on regular diet. Then the scientists exposed both groups to 48 hours of concentrated oxygen, stirring up in two days the amount of free radical damage that would normally takes 20 rat months to occur. Brain cells in the regular diet group became less responsive to neurotransmitters associated with short-term memory. The brains of the blueberry fed rats did not change. They also found that the fruit prevented the kind of short-term memory loss that comes with aging. Blueberries actually stave off declines in brain cell’s ability to send messages to one another.

Healthier Elimination
Blueberries can help relieve both diarrhea and constipation. In addition to soluble and insoluble fiber found in blueberries, they also contain tannins, which act as astringents in the digestive system to reduce inflammation. Blueberries also promote urinary tract health. Blueberries contain the same compounds found in cranberries that help prevent or eliminate urinary tract infections. Components found in cranberry and blueberry juice reduce the ability of E. coli, the bacteria that is the most common cause of urinary tract infections.

Protection Against Cancer and Diabetes
In laboratory studies, blueberry extract has shown to be effective in killing oral, breast, colon and prostate cancer cells.

As if all of this were not enough to crown blueberries as a miracle food, emerging research is also pointing to the fact that blueberries contain a compound that acts like insulin protecting the body from the damages of excessive glucose.

Protection Against Vision Loss
Clinical studies have shown that blueberry extract which is high in anthocyanosides, has been very effective in slowing down vision loss. The European blueberry, bilberry, is one of the most potent substances known to prevent, and even reverse the most common cause of blindness, macular degeneration.

Tips for Buying and Storing Blueberries

Tips For Making Blueberries Part of Your Day

Sometimes the term “impotence” is used interchangeably with erectile dysfunction, though the two terms really describe different conditions –- impotence is used to describe a more chronic form of erectile dysfunction, where at least 75% of sexual encounters fail to produce an erection. Erectile dysfunction becomes more common as men get older, and it is no longer believed to be an unavoidable part of the aging process.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

High blood pressure is an important cause of erectile dysfunction and impotence. Other causes include:

• Blood vessel problems
• Diabetes
• Use of certain medications
• Excessive amounts of certain exercises (bike riding, weight lifting)

A number of studies have shown that erectile dysfunction is both more common and more serious in men with hypertension. For example, while about 30% of men will experience one episode of erectile dysfunction in a given month, that number jumps to almost 70% in men with hypertension. About 45% of men with hypertension have severe erectile dysfunction (more than three episodes in a month), while only about 5% of men with normal blood pressure fit into this category.

These statistics are more interesting when considered from the opposite angle. For example, it’s one thing to say that 40% of men with high blood pressure suffer from erectile dysfunction, but more revealing to note that almost 80% of men who complain of erectile dysfunction are later found to have high blood pressure. The relationship between high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction is so strong that some physicians and researchers have argued in favor of using sexual activity questions as a screening test for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.

How High Blood Pressure Causes Erectile Dysfunction

Nobody knows exactly how high blood pressure causes erectile dysfunction and impotence. One leading theory is that the excess pressure in the blood vessels actually causes damage to small arteries in the penis. Normally, these arteries dilate in response to sexual stimulation, allowing more blood to flow into the spongy tissue of the penis to produce an erection. It is thought that excessive pressure on these arteries may cause tiny tears, which the body then repairs. In response to these tears, the healed arteries become thicker, allowing them to better resist further damage. These thicker arteries, though, aren’t able to respond as fast, or as completely, to demands for extra blood, so they become a sort of dam in the flow of blood to the erectile tissues of the penis.

One problem with this theory is that some studies seem to show that how long a patient has had high blood pressure is not as important for predicting the risk of erectile dysfunction as is the actual severity of the high blood pressure. In other words, someone who has had moderate hypertension for twenty years sometimes appears to be at lower risk for erectile dysfunction than a young man who has had very serious hypertension for only a few months. In light of this, other theories of how high blood pressure contributes to erectile dysfunction have been proposed.

Read More: Theories of High Blood Pressure Induced Erectile Dysfunction

To complicate matters further, it is well established that many popular drugs used to treat high blood pressure can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. Some of the drugs known to have this side effect are:

• Clonidine
• Spironolactone
• Thiazides

Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Impotence Caused by High Blood Pressure

Typically, the first step in treating erectile dysfunction and impotence is identifying the ultimate cause of the problem. In patients with high blood pressure, the high blood pressure itself is usually the cause. The primary focus of treatment is to reduce the blood pressure to acceptable levels, if it is not already within the target treatment range.

Popular drugs like Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) –- known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors –- are a popular and effective choice for patients who have good blood pressure control. Your doctor may need to avoid giving you these drugs if you are currently taking nitrates (Imdur, Monoket, Isordil, Dilatrate), which are commonly prescribed for angina. More severe, or treatment-resistant cases, are dealt with on a patient-by-patient basis. Treatment in these situations may include options such as surgery, penile injections, or alternate drug therapy.

Sources: Baumhakel, M, Bohm, M. Erectile dysfunction correlates with left ventricular function and precedes cardiovascular events in cardiovascular high-risk patients. International Journal of Clinical Practice 2007; 61:361.

Feldman, HA, et al. Impotence and its Medical and Psychosocial Correlates: Results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Journal of Urology 1994; 151:54.

Fung, MM, Bettencourt, R, Barrett-Connor, E. Heart disease risk factors predict erectile dysfunction 25 years later: the Rancho Bernardo Study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2004; 43:1405.

Selvin, E, Burnett, AL, Platz, EA. Prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in the US. American Journal of Medicine 2007; 120:151.