Current blood pressure guidelines define high blood pressure as above 130/80. In the old days, the cutoff for high blood pressure which warranted treatment was your age + 100/90. Then, they changed it to 160/90, then to 140/90. Now prehypertension is defined as 120/80!
Researchers
that define these numbers are paid huge amounts of money by the drug companies to manipulate the numbers to be artificially low, to get as many healthy people as possible on blood pressure lowering drugs, which of course results in billions and billions of dollars in drug company profits.
To gain a more accurate look at what the threshold numbers really are, this
fascinating study
re-evaluates the Framingham Study data that blood pressure guidelines are based on. Their formula is very similar to the older guidelines of your age + 100/90.
The study gives these rules of thumb for the treatment threshold for a person of a given age and sex, up to age 74:
Threshold for men=120+(2/3)(age)
Threshold for women= 114+(5/6)(age)
The study data goes from the ages of 45 - 74. The next 2 studies also go up to the age of 74.
In a
prior study
the same authors say “While our model shows that there would be no benefit in reducing pressure from 160 mmHg to 140 mmHg it does show there could be substantial benefit in reductions from 180 to 160 mmHg.”
Another
study
points out that “Only when SBP [Systolic Blood Pressure] exceeds the 185 mark does the number of deaths start to increase steeply.” They go on to say: "It would also be useful if patients are told that... 0.39% of people over 85 die each year due to their HBP (including hypertensive heart disease) according to the USA CDC. This means that the great majority of older people die from something else even though they have HBP. In addition, the negative side effects (ranging from sexual dysfunctions to depression and increased suicide rates) of HTN [hypertension treatment with drugs] must be made clear.” This
study
finds that people hospitalized with acute heart failure with the
highest SBP (>161) had the
lowest mortality, while those with the
lowest SBP (<120) had the
highest mortality.
For the ages of 75+ this
amazing Italian study
shows that the
lowest mortality is associated with a SBP of 165, and DBP (Diastolic Blood Pressure) of 85. in patients with impaired physical and mental functioning, a
higher SBP near 180 was associated with
lower mortality. They conclude that those with physical and mental impairment benefit from higher BP, as a higher BP can more effectively push nutrients into the cells where needed.
Interestingly, this
study
concludes “Blood pressure values
below 140/90 mmHg during antihypertensive treatment may be associated with an
increased risk of mortality in octogenarians [people in their 80’s] or elderly patients with previous cardiovascular events.” Having naturally lower BP is very different than lowering it with drugs. Using drugs to lower BP can actually increase the risk of death along with many unpleasant side effects.
This study
says the "risk of stroke went up 33 percent with each blood pressure medicine” and "three or more blood pressure medications had a stroke risk of 2.5 times higher”. That’s a 250% increase! They go on to say: "You're in as much trouble by the time you are on three medications that achieve excellent control as you are when you have hypertension and it is untreated, which is amazing," Howard said. "We want to raise the issue that, despite great advances in a pharmaceutical approach, relying solely on this approach is going to come at a dear price of people's lives.”
This study
finds that ACE inhibitors are linked to increased lung cancer risk. In addition,
Beta-Blockers
commonly used in the treatment of high BP killed 800,000 people over a 5 year period in Europe.
The ALLHAT study found that lisinopril and amlodipine were no more effective than water pills in preventing deaths, and lisinopril is linked to a 60 percent higher frequency of strokes. Amlodipine is linked to 38 percent more heart attacks and increased rates of suicide and depression. "The study proved clear-cut advantages for diuretics, said Dr. Paul Whelton, head of the study team and senior vice president for health sciences at Tulane University. All the newer, patented drugs had worse outcomes for heart attacks or strokes.” (See the
Seattle Times
article, also linked to above). While diuretics may be considered the safest drug approach, they still have undesirable side effects.
Cardiovascular researcher
Dr. Malcolm Kendrick
says that a SBP above 160 warrants treatment.
An elevated BP, even when below the treatment threshold is a symptom of something else, and it is that “something” that you want to work on. Regardless of your numbers, maintaining arteries that are strong, flexible, and free of plaque is desirable. Common causes of high BP are stress, clogged arteries, stiff arteries and being overweight. Fortunately, there are many safe treatments that can dramatically lower BP without drugs.
Hand-grip exercises can reduce your number by about 10 percent. Inexpensive hand grippers available online or at a local sporting goods store ($10 to $15) are effective. Squeeze and hold the gripper for 2 minutes at a time, for a total of 12 to 15 minutes, three times a week. How to video
here
.
Malcolm Kendrick recommends to patients with
high BP
“Increase potassium consumption, go on a high fat low carb diet. Use relaxation techniques: mindfulness, yoga, whatever floats your boat. Take exercise. Get out in the sun – this stimulates NO (nitrous oxide) synthesis. Try L-Arginine and L-Citrulline. Increase magnesium consumption. This will often, if not always, do the trick.” Note that a high fat low carb diet is very effective in reducing BP, and weight loss if needed. He also
says
: "I would further add that sun exposure is the best known way of increasing NO synthesis throughout the body. This protects the endothelium and, as you would expect, lowers blood pressure (the natural way). So, you are far less likely to die from CVD."
He also
points out
"With regard to blood pressure, a study published in 1997 found that adding roughly 2 grams (2000 mg) of potassium per day lowered blood pressure in older people by 15/8 mm Hg. As good, if not better, than any antihypertensive drug. And with no side-effects at all."
Nitrous oxide synthesis makes the arteries flexible, which can lower BP. Beet root powder stimulates NO synthesis. Drinking 8 oz. of
Pomegranate Juice
a day can lower your BP by 10% and clean the plaque out your arteries in the process! Beet Kvass is another delicious option.
If your BP is always high, then the arteries may be clogged, in which case Linus Pauling Therapy (lots of vitamin C plus maybe a few other supplements) is highly effective. See attached “Reversing Heart Disease”. One thing to try is
Cardio-C
(1-2 jars/month) to clean out plaque and heal up your arteries.
Statins
do not help, and have many dangerous side effects.
L-Arginine and L-Citrulline promote NO synthesis and can dramatically lower BP. People like
this formula
because it is flavored, and dissolves well in water, though it is very expensive. L-Arginine has the potential to stimulate chronic viruses (such as herpes), so may be contraindicated in some cases. You can also buy these 2 amino acids separately, and mix your own drink, which is much less expensive. The recommended ratio is 4 or 5 grams L-Arginine to 1 gram L-Citrulline mixed in water and take once or twice a day on an empty stomach.
If the heart muscle itself is working too hard, Chinese herbs can work wonders to calm it down. Also, the formula Luo Bu Ma can reduce BP significantly.
Salt is a necessary nutrient, and restricting it causes many problems. Salt restriction generally does not lower BP, or does so minimally. When BP does drop due to salt reduction, it doesn’t reduce mortality rates. See
The Salt Fix
book.
Be sure to have a good quality BP measuring device so you can check your BP one or more times a day while trying these methods.
The above methods can lower your BP very significantly, which means if you are taking BP lowering medications, it is important to work with a qualified doctor if you want to transition to these natural treatments. Stopping BP meds abruptly can be very dangerous.
Disclaimer: The author of this article is not responsible for your health care choices. You alone are responsible. The information presented is not advice and should not be treated as such. If you have an existing blood pressure problem, it is advised that you seek guidance from a qualified health care practitioner.
This attachment is hidden for guests.
Please log in or register to see it.
