If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure (a systolic pressure — the top number — of 140 or above or a diastolic pressure — the bottom number — of 90 or above), you might be worried about taking medication to bring your numbers down. Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you may avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication. Please read moore

High blood pressure is clinically defined as systolic arterial pressure above 140 mm of mercury (mm Hg) and diastolic arterial pressure greater than 90 mm Hg. Normal blood pressure is 120 / 80. Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack or stroke. Ands given the fact that nearly 45 percent of all deaths are attributable to either heart attacks or strokes, hypertension is not a disorder to be taken lightly.

The diastolic pressure measures the pressure in the “plumbing” when the pump is at rest. The systolic pressure measures the highest pressure in the supply pipes when the pump peaks. Most doctors become concerned when the resting pressure — the diastolic pressure — remains elevated. This most usually signifies atherosclerosis or hardening of the arterial walls. Atherosclerosis may occur gradually but progressively as an individual ages, and explosively as a function of disease processes resulting in atherosclerotic plaque buildup.

More than 80 percent of all hypertensives may be classified as borderline to moderate. Many studies, even those sanctioned by the medical establishment, clearly show that non-drug therapies are superior to prescription therapies in bringing the high pressures back within normal ranges. The most often quoted non-drug approaches to treating borderline to mild hypertension include dietary changes, exercise and relaxation. Of course the medical establishment is not necessarily threatened by non-drug approaches and often may actually recommend these approaches for no other reason than to “prove” that they do actually practice “alternative” medicine.

Yet hypertensive medications remain among the most widely prescribed drugs with yearly sales far in excess of $10 billion! Since 80 percent of all hypertensives are in the borderline to mild range and since the dictators of the monopoly supposedly support the use of non-drug therapies for these hypertensives, the question becomes “WHY”? The bottom line provides the answer; it would mean a loss of more than $5 billion dollars to the pharmaceutical cartel.

There are many types of blood pressure lowering drugs, many used in “step”programs. What this means is that for borderline hypertensives, a mild diuretic of the thiazide type may produce a mild reduction in the blood pressure. When this fails the physician goes to “step-two,” the prescribing of a higher dose of diuretic in combination with a beta adrenergic blocking agent. Steps-three, etc. may typically employ stronger and stronger doses of diuretics with stronger and stronger drugs in the beta-blocking category or calcium channel blockers and enzyme inhibitors which block the ability of the body to produce angiotensin. Usually when step-four levels of treatment are reached, the patient is taking 4 different medications.

Side EffectsThiazide Diuretics

Thiazide diuretics are often combined with other drugs such as beta-blockers in one capsule or pill. These combinations also create side effects which can be even more complicated.

These are chemicals that reduce or actually block the actions of adrenaline (epinephrine) or noradrenaline (nor-epinephrine) on the beta adrenergic receptors throughout the body. The arteries contain muscles in their walls. When the nor-adrenaline nerves fire, noradrenaline is released to stimulate adrenergic receptor sites located on these smooth muscle cells. When stimulated, these muscles contract. Since these smooth muscles are oriented much like the wire coils in a vacuum cleaner hose, the lumen (tube diameter) decreases. As the lumen decreases, the blood flowing through the constricted area increases both its speed and pressure. Hence, the diastolic blood pressure rises. Obviously, when one introduces a beta-blocker into the cardiovascular system the ability of noradrenalin to cause blood pressure increases is greatly reduced.

Some of the more common beta-blockers include: Acebutolol (Sectral), Atenol (Tenormin); Carteolol (Cartrol); Labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate); Metoprolol (Lopressor); Nadolol (Corgard); Penbutolol (Levatol); Pindolol (Visken): Propranolol (Inderal); and Timolol (Blocadren). Some people are very sensitive to the effects of beta blockers. Because the vascular system is now dilated, less blood flows through the arterial tree. Moreover, as the arteries become more dilated, the lower the head of pressure becomes. In some patients blood flow may actually become so low into the extremities that blood begins to accumulate in the hands and feet. This venous stasis severely retards the oxygenation of these distant tissues leading to much discomfort and many other symptoms.

In addition to cold hand and feet, oxygen flow into the brain may become impaired. Nerves may begin to tingle, cognitive (higher mental) functions deteriorate, phenomenal fatigue sets in, patients become dizzy, experience profound depression, reduced or absent libido, and impotence. And much like the thiazide diuretics, the beta-blockers also increase serum cholesterol and triglycerides. NOTE: Never discontinue a beta-blocker abruptly. You must gradually come off of these types of medications and it is best if this is done under the supervision of a physician.

These are the drugs that block the movement of calcium through cell membrane channels. These drugs are generally better tolerated than the beta blockers and include the most familiar – Cardizen (Diltiazem). Others in this category include: Isradipine (DynaCirc); Nicardipine (Cardene); Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); and Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan).

Side effects include: serious disturbances in heart rate and rhythm, heart function and efficiency, heart failure and angina. Among the less serious side effects patients often have to put up with constipation, allergies, edema, dizziness, headache (much like a nitroglycerine headache), fatigue and impotence.

These drugs prevent the production of angiotensin. Angiotensin is a hormone that not only increases the total volume of fluid in the body, but increases the degree of constriction of the blood vessels. Therefore, any ACE inhibitor will reduce the degree of constriction of the blood vessels and thereby reduce the blood pressure.

The side effects of the ACE inhibitors include dizziness, lightheadedness, orthostatic hypotension, headache, skin rashes, severely disturbed taste function, bone marrow suppression, lower blood cell levels, coughing (especially at night), elevated potassium levels, and consequently, kidney function problems.

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A "the heart study"  by Dr Giovanni de Simone et al and heart study investigators funded by the American Heart Association  correlated a strong association of Blood Pressure With Blood Viscosity in Americans.They found out that aabnormalities in whole blood viscosity  have been implicated in hypertension. This study analyzes relations between whole blood viscosity and blood pressure in the Strong Heart Study population of American Indians. Aabnormalities in blood viscosity have been implicated in a number of cardiovascular diseases.

Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, BP varies between a maximum (systolic)

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Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of medium or large arteries (from the Greek arterio, meaning artery, and sclerosis, meaning hardening).It should not be confused with "arteriolosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis".Also known by the name "myoconditis" which is outdated and no longer in general use.Atherosclerosis : The progressive narrowing and hardening of the arteries over time. This is known to occur to some degree with aging. Arteriosclerosis: Imprecise term for various disorders of arteries, particularly hardening due to fibrosis or calcium deposition, often used as a synonym for atherosclerosis.

Commonly called hardening of the arteries, arteriosclerosis is a group of diseases characterized by thickened and hardened artery walls. This condition can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.  Fortunately, there are some simple herbal remedies that you can employ to keep this condition under control.Atherosclerosis is a common type of arteriosclerosis in which fatty deposits partially clog or totally block blood flow in large, important vessels of the body such as the aorta and the blood vessels to the heart and head. As arteries throughout the body are affected, the heart has to pump harder than ever to circulate blood. This creates added stress on the heart, and the stage is set for heart disease. But many other diseases are associated with arteriosclerosis; the type of disease depends upon the artery that is clogged. If atherosclerosis affects the head, for instance, it can cause vision problems, dizziness, and stroke.

The terms atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis are frequently used as though they are the same condition. While both conditions are types of coronary artery disease, and may lead to the need for heart surgery, they are not the same. Arteriosclerosis is hardening of the arteries. This condition not only thickens the wall of arteries, but also causes stiffness and a loss of elasticity. Over time, the arteries become harder and harder as they are slowly damaged by high blood pressure. Arteriosclerosis may be present in any artery of the body, but the disease is most concerning when it attacks the coronary arteries and threatens to cause a heart attack. Atherosclerosis is the most common type of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and caused by plaque building up in the vessel. Over time the plaque causes thickening of the walls of the artery. Stiffness and a loss of elasticity also result.  To clarify, a patient with arteriosclerosis (hardened arteries) may not have atherosclerosis (plaque), but a patient with atherosclerosis does have arteriosclerosis. Patients often have both conditions, which can cause a decrease in the blood flow to the heart muscle. In severe cases, coronary artery bypass surgery, or CABG surgery, is required to insure adequate blood flow to the heart. Atherosclerosis is made worse by cigarette smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Eliminating or controlling those factors, as well as making dietary changes, can often halt the progression of the disease or even improve the condition.

Coronary artery atherosclerosis is the single largest killer of men and women in the United States. It is the principal cause of coronary artery disease (CAD), in which atherosclerotic changes are present within the walls of the coronary arteries. CAD is a progressive disease process that generally begins in childhood and manifests clinically in middle to late adulthood.

The word atherosclerosis is of Greek origin and literally means focal accumulation of lipid (ie, athere [gruel]) and thickening of arterial intima (ie, sclerosis [hardening]). Atherosclerosis is a disease of large and medium-sized muscular arteries and is characterized by the following:

• Endothelial dysfunction
• Vascular inflammation

• Buildup of lipids, cholesterol, calcium, and cellular debris within the intima of the vessel wall

Atherosclerotic buildup results in the following:

• Plaque formation
• Vascular remodeling
• Acute and chronic luminal obstruction
• Abnormalities of blood flow
• Diminished oxygen supply to target organs

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This blood is normally oxygenated, exceptions made for the pulmonary and umbilical arteries.

The circulatory system is extremely important for sustaining life. Its proper functioning is responsible for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide and waste products, maintenance of optimum pH, and the mobility of the elements, proteins and cells of the immune system. In developed countries, the two leading causes of death, myocardial infarction and stroke, each may directly result from an arterial system that has been slowly and progressively compromised by years of deterioration

Atherosclerosis (also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD) is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol. It is a syndrome affecting arterial blood vessels, a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries, caused largely by the accumulation of macrophage white blood cells and promoted by low-density lipoproteins (plasma proteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides) without adequate removal of fats and cholesterol from the macrophages by functional high density lipoproteins (HDL), (see apoA-1 Milano). It is commonly referred to as a hardening or furring of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries.

The atheromatous plaque is divided into three distinct components:

Pathophysiology of vascular changes that cause hypertension and heart disease

Atherogenesis is the developmental process of atheromatous plaques. It is characterized by a remodeling of arteries leading to  accumulation of fatty substances called plaques. The build up of  plaque is a slow process, developed over a period of several years. The bulk of these lesions is made of excess fat. At first, as the plaques grow, only wall thickening occurs without any narrowing. Stenosis is a late event, which may never occur and is often the result of repeated plaque rupture 

The primary documented driver of this process is oxidized Lipoprotein particles within the wall or elevated concentrations of blood glucose also plays a major role. Fatty streaks may appear

Low Density Lipoprotein particles in blood plasma, when they invade the endothelium and become oxidized creates a risk for cardiovascular disease. A complex set of biochemical reactions regulates the oxidation of LDL, chiefly stimulated by presence of enzymes and  or blood vessel lining.

The initial damage to the blood vessel wall results in an inflammatory response.  Under the microscope, the lesion now appears as a fatty streak. Foam cells eventually die, and further propagate the inflammatory process. This would cause the formation of a fibrous capsule covering the fatty streak.

 Cholesterol is delivered into the vessel wall by cholesterol-containing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. To attract and stimulate macrophages, the cholesterol must be released from the LDL particles and oxidized, a key step in the ongoing inflammatory process. The process is worsened if there is insufficient high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the lipoprotein particle that removes cholesterol from tissues and carries it back to the liver.

The foam cells and platelets encourage the migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, which in turn ingest lipids, become replaced by collagen and transform into foam cells themselves. A protective fibrous cap normally forms between the fatty deposits .

These capped fatty deposits (now called 'atheromas') produce enzymes that cause the artery to enlarge over time. As long as the artery enlarges sufficiently to compensate for the extra thickness of the atheroma, then no narrowing ("stenosis") of the opening ("lumen") occurs. The artery becomes expanded with an egg-shaped cross-section, still with a circular opening. If the enlargement is beyond proportion to the atheroma thickness, then an aneurysm is created.

Although the disease process tends to be slowly progressive over decades, it usually remains asymptomatic until an atheroma ulcerates, which leads to immediate blood clotting at the site of atheroma ulcer. This triggers a cascade of events that leads to clot enlargement, which may quickly obstruct the flow of blood. A complete blockage leads to ischemia of the myocardial (heart) muscle and damage. This process is the myocardial infarction or "heart attack".

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Direct relationship  occur between blood pressure and blood viscosity in  hypertensive.A variety of factors cause blood viscosity. these include toxic wastes from malnutrition,drug use,environment wastes and body creams. As these unnatural products gets in the blood stream,the increase the blood volume, block or clog the elimination[kidney,skin,liver and bowel].They create back up pressure,corrode arterial walls,cause plaque and cholesterol deposits,increase blood pressure and cause strokes and heart attacks. As we learn to cleanse the blood of wastes and stimulate circulation,we restore vascular integrity and resistance. We lower blood pressure,cleanse the kidneys for free flow of urine,deconjest the liver and reduce bowels wastes. The end result is overall feeling of wellbeing.

Herbal Treatments for Areteriosclerosis - a vascular disease that  causes hypertension

Diet and dietary supplements

Niacin (vitamin B₃), in pharmacologic doses, (generally 1,000 to 3,000 mg/day, but starting with much lower doses increased over several weeks, to avoid side-effects) tends to improve (a) HDL levels, size and function, (b) shift LDL particle distribution to larger particle size and (c) lower lipoprotein(a), an atherosclerosis promoting genetic variant of LDL. Additionally, individual responses to daily niacin, while mostly evident after a month at effective doses, tends to continue to slowly improve further over time. (However, careful patient understanding of how to achieve this without nuisance symptoms is needed, though not often achieved.) Research work on increasing HDL particle concentration and function, beyond the usual niacin effect/response, even more important, is slowly advancing. Niacin is supplied in many OTC and prescription formulations; non-prescription formulations recommend much lower doses as they are sold as nutritional supplements, not regulated medications.

Dietary changes to achieve benefit have been more controversial, generally far less effective and less widely adhered to with success. One key reason for this is that most cholesterol, typically 80-90%, within the body is created and controlled by internal production by all cells in the body (true of all animals), with typically slightly greater relative production by hepatic/liver cells. (Cell structure relies on fat membranes to separate and organize intracellular water, proteins and nucleic acids and cholesterol is one of the components of all animal cell membranes.)

While the absolute production quantities vary with the individual, group averages for total human body content of cholesterol within the U.S. population commonly run about 35,000 mg (assuming lean build; varies with body weight and build) and about 1,000 mg/day ongoing production. Dietary intake plays a smaller role, 200–300 mg/day being common values; for pure vegetarians, essentially 0 mg/day, but this typically does not change the situation very much because internal production increases to largely compensate for the reduced intake. For many, especially those with greater than optimal body mass and increased glucose levels, reducing carbohydrate (especially simple forms) intake, not fats or cholesterol, is often more effective for improving lipoprotein expression patterns, weight and blood glucose values. For this reason, medical authorities much less frequently promote the low dietary fat concepts than was commonly the case prior to about year 2005. However, evidence has increased that processed, particularly industrial non-enzymatic hydrogenation produced trans fats, as opposed to the natural cis-configured fats, which living cells primarily produce, is a significant health hazard.

Dietary supplements of Omega-3 oils, especially those from the muscle of some deep salt water living fish species, also have clinical evidence of significant protective effects as confirmed by 6 double blind placebo controlled human clinical trials.

Less robust evidence shows that homocysteine and uric acid levels, including within the normal range, promote atherosclerosis and that lowering these levels is helpful.

In animals Vitamin C deficiency has been confirmed as an important role in development of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, but due to ethical reasons placebo-controlled human studies are impossible to do. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant in vessels and inhibits inflammatory process. It has therapeutic properties on high blood pressure and its fluctuation, and arterial stiffness in diabetes. Vitamin C is also a natural regulator of cholesterol and higher doses (over 150 mg/kg daily) may confer significant protection against atherosclerosis even in the situation of elevated cholesterol levels.

The scale of vitamin C benefits on cardiovascular system led several authors to theorize that vitamin C deficiency is the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases.

The theory was unified by twice Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling, and Matthias Rath (Rath's promotion of vitamins instead of effective medicines for treatment of serious diseases has been very strongly criticised by many reputable authorities, as discussed in detail elsewhere). They point out that vitamin C is produced by all mammals except mankind and the great apes. This is due to a genetic deficiency that arose with the common ancestor of human and apes. To survive humans and apes must eat sufficient vitamin C each day. Without vitamin C humans develop scurvy. Vitamin C is an essential element in insuring that the vascular system is strong and flexible.

 Pauling and Rath suggest that a deficiency causes weakness in the arterial system and the body compensates by trying to stiffen up the artery walls using other common blood elements. This causes the effect known as atherosclerosis. They suggest that clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases are merely overshoot of body defense mechanisms that are involved in stabilisation of vascular wall after it is weakened by the vitamin C deficiency and the subsequent collagen degradation. They discuss several metabolic and genetic predispositions (our inability to produce vitamin C at all being the main one) and their pathomechanism.

The Unified Theory of Human Cardiovascular Disease suggests that atherosclerosis may be reversed and cured, but there has been no testing or trial of Pauling's vitamin C theory.

Trials on Vitamin E have been made, and have generally not found a beneficial effect. It has been suggested that there may be a beneficial effect for some patients at high risk for atherosclerosis. A review of trials suggested that the lack of evidence for a beneficial effect may have been due to various specified shortcomings in the trial methodologies, such as testing vitamin E without concurrent use of vitamin C.

Menaquinone (Vitamin K₂), but not phylloquinone (Vitamin K₁), intake is associated with reduced risk of CHD mortality, all-cause mortality and severe aortic calcification.

Excess iron may be involved in the development of atherosclerosis,but one study found reducing body iron stores in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease through phlebotomy did not significantly decrease all-cause mortality or death plus nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke.

Changes in diet may help prevent the development of atherosclerosis. Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service have found that avenanthramides, chemical compounds found in oats, may help reduce the inflammation of the arterial wall, which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Avenanthramides have anti-inflammatory properties that are linked to activating proinflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that are released by the cell to protect and repair tissues. Researchers found that these compounds in oats have the ability to reduce inflammation and thereby help prevent atherosclerosis.

The natural alternatives are completely safe and if used properly can be highly effective in counteracting hypertension. There can be no misunderstanding about their potency if used properly: they gain effectiveness generally in association with changes in diet and life-style.

Herbal Aids:

High Blood Pressure: With high blood pressure, cholesterol and mucus form a sludge within the body. Avoid the mucus-forming foods and take herbs that act as a solvent by liquefying impurities such as cayenne, garlic or sassafras. Take cayenne, working up to a teaspoon three times a day. This increases the power of the heart and corrects the circulation problems. Garlic in copious amounts will bring down high blood pressure. Pure tomato juice is very good as a nutritional and a medicinal herb. Wheat germ oil is excellent for feeding the heart and helps cut the cholesterol and smoothens its removal from the area. Avoid the use of liquor and tobacco, do not keep late hours, and avoid over-tiredness and worry. There is an intricate inter-relationship between ones living habits and his body condition.

How arterial blockage cause heart disease or attack

Home Remedies Blood Purification

Drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices. These foods are rich in nutrients that are badly needed by the body to ensure health and a smooth system.

Moreover, they are so desired because fresh vegetable and fruit juices are excellent detoxifiers. Fresh juices made from celery and parsley are the best known detoxifiers of the blood. On the other hand, juices from apple, carrots, beet, and lemon are known for cleansing the kidneys, intestines, and liver.

One of the factors that can cause toxic substances to remain in your system is indigestion. As such, one should pay attention to the state of one’s digestion.

To aid the natural digestion of foods, sprinkle black pepper on your food. Pepper is known to be effective in aiding digestion by stimulating the release of hydrochloric acids that are essential in burning foods. However, if you have low tolerance for spicy foods, makes sure to sprinkle only a small quantity at first.

 One of nature’s wonder foods is garlic, and it is also beneficial in detoxifying your system and in purifying your blood by aiding digestion. Chop three pods of garlic until fine and swallow it with a glass of water. Regular consumption of garlic will detoxify the stomach by reducing toxins and rejuvenating the blood. Moreover, garlic also promotes good intestinal health by promoting the growth of healthy bacteria.

If there is a pomegranate fruit nearby, dry the peelings of the fruit and ground it until it becomes powdery. Take a teaspoon of this powder and mix it with a glass of warm water. Drink this concoction every morning to detoxify your blood. On the other hand, it is also effective in killing intestinal worms.

 Prepare a mixture of a glass of warm water and a tablespoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Drink this concoction first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

§  Can a Body Cleanse Lower Blood Pressure?§  By LMartin, on February 9th, 2011§   

§  Problems With Your Blood Pressure? Learn How To Lower It Naturally!

 According to Shé D'Montford, Shambhallah, from Australia ‘The human body "WILL HEAL"... If we get out of our own way and allow it, it heals itself. It is our basic nature. Anybody who tells you other than that is trying to sell you something. No matter what you have been told. Don't give up on yourself and don't buy into the lines like ... ‘oh well you've had a good life'... 'at your age'... and the worst of all ...'there's nothing further I can do, I suggest you finalize your affairs'... How dare anyone tell you to give up! So much in society combines to convince us of the propaganda that some things never get better. It's up to you ... do you want to get better? Make things better? It is human nature to make things better, evolve and grow.”

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