National High Blood Pressure Education Month

 

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month.  According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Health Information Center, this year's theme highlights the threat of uncontrolled hypertension; "If Your Blood Pressure Is Not Lower Than 140/90, Ask Your Doctor Why". The NHLBI reports that high blood pressure affects approximately one in four American adults.  Of those with hypertension, about 68% are aware of their condition, but only 27% have it under control.  The reasons for this include not taking drugs as prescribed and/or not taking a medication that sufficiently lowers blood pressure.

Lifestyle changes are extremely important to help prevent high blood pressure, and also to help control it.  The National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) coordinated by the NHLBI is designed to help spread education and awareness of the dangers of hypertension and to help inform the public about what they can do to avoid developing this condition, and also what dietary and lifestyle changes they can make to help treat the condition if they already have it.

"We advise Americans to talk about their blood pressure with their doctor, " says NHLBI Director, Dr. Claude Lenfant.  "They should have their blood pressure checked and, if it's high, ask about adjusting their medication and whether they've made the necessary lifestyle changes to bring it to below 140/90."

The lifestyle changes to control high blood pressure are: lose weight (if overweight), become physically active, choose foods lower in salt and sodium, limit alcohol intake and take care of unresolved stress.  The NHLBI offer a wide variety of materials to help Americans learn more about hypertension and what they can do about it, including "Facts About the DASH Diet".  DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is an eating plan rich in fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy foods and lower in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol.  It has been shown to reduce high blood pressure and the fact sheet gives an overview of the plan along with a week of DASH menus.  The NHLBI and the NHBPEP have also set up a special educational website, which can be accessed through the NHLBI home page at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov .

A heart-healthy diet can also include natural supplements.  Many people have been able to lower and control their high blood pressure with specific herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids and other targeted nutritional approaches.  Vitamin E, especially when combined with the trace mineral, selenium, is probably one of the best known natural approaches for a healthy heart and blood pressure.  Studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine have shown that vitamin E supplementation can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 41%.  Vitamin E is a very strong antioxidant that protects the LDL (also known as the "good" ) cholesterol from oxidation.

Hawthorn berries, olive leaf extract, grape seed extract and coleus forskohlii are just a few of the many herbal approaches that are successfully used to lower high blood pressure.  Hawthorn berries have been traditionally used for all kinds of heart and circulatory disorders for centuries.  They lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels, improve blood flow and oxygen to the heart, and also offer significant protection against the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  Olive leaf extract has been clinically proven to reduce high blood pressure, inhibit LDL oxidation, and enhance circulatory system function which improves blood flow in cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disorders.

Grape seed extract is a rich source of  oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) which demonstrate an extremely powerful antioxidant activity, approximately 50% stronger than vitamins C or E.  Grape seed extract and OPCs are used for a wide variety of mental and physical issues and specifically help maintain healthy blood pressure by strengthening and repairing connective tissue, including that of the cardiovascular system.  Recent research has also confirmed that grape seed extract strengthens capillaries and has shown positive effects in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.  Coleus forskohlii has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic (originated in India) medicine as a natural remedy for all kinds of heart disorders and disease.  Forskolin, a substance found in the coleus forskohlii plant, has been proven to not only reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but to also strengthen the heart muscle, thus improving its function and enhancing circulation throughout the body.

Other natural supplementation that can be helpful for lowering hypertension and improving circulation include Coenzyme Q10, Coenzyme A, essential fatty acids such as flax seed and black currant oil, garlic, red yeast rice extract, proteolytic enzymes, and amino acids such as L-arginine, L-carnitine, L-glutamic acid and L-glutamine.

Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to stroke, heart failure and kidney damage.  This dangerous condition is often referred to as "the silent killer" as it typically causes no symptoms until severe complications develop.  Therefore, EVERYONE should be monitoring their blood pressure on a regular basis, whether they have a personal and/or family history of hypertension or not. Prevention and awareness are always the keys to good health.  "May is an opportunity to make a new start on a healthier heart," says Dr. Edward Roccella, NHBPEP Coordinator.  "The same lifestyle steps that control high blood pressure also may prevent it.  So everyone in the family can take action together."