Blood pressure has been called the silent killer, because there are no symptoms until it is too late! If your blood pressure is high, and sometimes you have no idea that it is, you are increasing your risk of heart disease by 300% and increasing your risk of stroke by 700%! Heart disease and strokes are the leading cause of death for both men and women in the UK, many between the ages of 45 and 65.
However, beware, because a recent study has found that many people have high blood pressure when it is taken by their Dr, due to ‘white coat syndrome’, and if they measure it at home it is fine! So don’t rush into accepting conventional medication until you have taken regular measurements at home first.
High blood pressure is not a disease it is a symptom, and by taking a ‘blood pressure pill’ you are just masking the symptom, not addressing and therefore reversing the underlying cause.
Prescription blood pressure medications can cause all sorts of side effects including:
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- headaches, dizziness and nausea
- weakness
- diarrhoea or constipation
- depression
- reduced appetite or weight gain
- kidney and liver failure
- impotence
So why would you take them a) if you don’t need them and b) if they do not actually reverse the cause? There is a perfectly good natural way of reducing your blood pressure and risk of heart disease.
What is the underlying cause?
It is usually hardening and narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart. This is caused by chronic inflammation from the consumption of processed, high sugar foods and cortisol the stress hormone. All sorts of medical issues can come from this condition, such as angina, which presents itself in the form of chests pain or pressure. If you feel something like this you should be seen by a specialist as soon as you’re able to so that they may recommend an angina treatment trial, or some other way to try to help you based on your condition. Keep in mind that this is a very serious condition, to be treated immediately.
In the meantime, lifestyle changes are a good way to improve your condition.
So what are these lifestyle changes?
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- Stop smoking – studies confirm that smoking increases the risk of a first heart attack by more than 100% in some people.
- Stop eating processed foods and sugar. Exchange the highly saturated fats in red meat for chicken which has 6 times less saturated fat. Include foods high in monounsaturated fat such as olive oil, and polyunsaturated fat such as in nuts. Nuts also contain other nutrients that could be responsible for the protection against heart disease including fibre, vitamin E, alpha-linolenic acid, oleic acid, magnesium and arginine.
- Eat oily fish such as sardines, salmon and mackerel because research confirms that fish oil supplements help reverse atherosclerosis.
- Exercising regularly, such as walking and swimming helps the heart muscle.
- Take up yoga or meditation as it is beneficial in reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, and has found to help bring down blood pressure.
- Start taking supplements to protect and support your body and especially your heart.
Which supplements?
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- Serrapeptase, an anti-inflammatory enzyme that originally came from the silk worm. It secretes this enzyme to help it escape from its hard chrysalis to fly off, and also to digest the tough mulberry leaves. Since it was first noticed by researchers in the 1960s it has been well studied and found to be great at preventing and removing dead tissue and unhealthy inflammation.
- Co Enzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring fat soluble antioxidant necessary for the functioning of every cell in the body. It is especially needed in the heart and more especially for those taking statin drugs , because they dangerously deplete the body of CoQ10.
- L Carnitine, an amino acid, protects the heart from damage when a heart attack or a spasm cuts off the oxygen supply. L Carnitine taken daily can cut complications of heart attacks, angina, heart rhythm disturbances and heart failure by 50%.
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids have been proven to work wonders for the heart and the miles of arteries and veins that make up our cardiovascular system. They help to lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, lower blood pressure and break up clots from plaque build up on the artery wall before they do damage.
- Nattokinase is another potent enzyme extracted and purified from a traditional Japanese food called Natto. Research has shown Nattokinase to support the body in breaking up and dissolving the unhealthy coagulation of blood and to support fibrinolytic activity. It therefore helps to promote normal blood pressure levels, more efficient circulation, a smoother blood flow and the body’s production of both plasmin and other blood clot-dissolving agents.