Hypertension – “The Silent Killer?”

Vital Signs 101

Dave initially came in over a year ago wanting help to get off of his medications for diabetes and hypertension.  He was getting weak and tired, partly because numbness and tingling in his feet kept him up at night.  His blood pressure was poorly controlled, even on three medications.  Over the next six months he was able to get it down from about 220/110 to 146/88 – after stopping his medications.  At the same time, he lost weight, feels better and has more energy, plus he sleeps all night because his feet don’t hurt.  Dave had a metabolic syndrome that often causes the blood pressure to go up.  He was taking medication for each symptom of the syndrome, none of which helped his condition.  When we addressed the underlying condition the blood pressure finally improved.  While it’s important to look at hypertension, it’s more important to look at the cause.

The best way to look at blood pressure is as a “vital sign” like the temperature.  If you came in to my office and your temperature was 102 degrees Fahrenheit, I could diagnose “hyperthermia” (fever) and prescribe a medication to lower your temperature.  If I just sent you home with a prescription for Ibuprofen I could miss a serious infection.  A doctor needs to address not the fever, but rather the cause of the fever.  The temperature will drop by itself when an infection is treated.

Stalk the Silent Killer

Blood pressure is similar.  There are hundreds of reasons why your blood pressure might go up (WrongDiagnosis.com lists 398). When you find and treat the cause, then the blood pressure will come down to normal without ever taking a pill for it – just like curing a pneumonia will bring your fever down without Ibuprofen.  Remember, hypertension isn’t the cause of illness, heart disease, stroke, or arterial disease. It’s just an associated symptom.

Dave was put onthe “brown rice and vegetable” diet.  He eats brown rice with vegetables and legumes for two meals per day.  He has nuts for snacks.  He exercises three times a week to sweat.  He also takes Magnesium and CoQ10.  He was able to lose weight, bring down his insulin levels, and correct his metabolism (the “vital signs“), which brought the blood pressure down to almost normal.

Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure

If you can’t find a specific cause of elevated blood pressure, there are many ways to improve your metabolism and prevent vascular disease:

1) Exercise

• Exercise to sweat three to five times per week.  Sweat removes sodium and toxins. Exercise relaxes blood vessels.

2) Stress reduction

• Meditate – We often forget to take time for meditation to focus our minds.
• Pray – Prayer helps us to retain the “big picture” to keep our lives in perspective.
• Enjoy a hobby – Keep your creative juices flowing by practicing your art instead of passively watching TV.
• Start a garden – Getting your hands dirty keeps you grounded, and gives you fresh fruit and vegetables.

3) Food

• A diet high in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains gives you fiber and minerals like magnesium and potassium, as well as vitamins. (Even a can of V-8 juice every day was shown to be as effective as a medication.)
• Avoid those foods to which you are sensitive.  Many have sensitivities to gluten (wheat, barley, rye), milk, or the “nightshades.”  Eating these will cause inflammation and raise the blood pressure.
• Avoid processed and prepared foods: fried food, pizza, fast food, sweets, and so forth promote inflammation and raise blood pressure.
• Drink water – Soda, juices, and even diet drinks increase your risk for “metabolic syndrome.”

4)  Supplements

• Magnesium: 1000 mg per day: Magnesium is a common deficiency and relaxes blood vessels.
• CoQ-10 100 mg per day has been shown to lower blood pressure.  Most people with hypertension have decreased CoQ-10 levels.
• Vitamin D3: 5000 IU per day helps the body absorb and regulate calcium and magnesium.

Though it’s called “The Silent Killer,” hypertension doesn’t kill. But, there are many conditions or vital signs that cause high blood pressure that are deadly if not addressed in a timely manner.  I have had several people with hypertension with high levels of lead.  When they were given Chelation treatments, the blood pressure became normal.  Adrenal, thyroid, and other hormonal abnormalities also affect blood pressure.  It’s a good idea to check with a doctor who can help you find the cause of high blood pressure.  If none are found, the lifestyle changes above will often make a significant difference in your metabolism and keep you off of medications.

• Pinterest

Dr. Scott D. Saunders, MD (Contributor) is a practicing physician, specializing in preventative healthcare, who utilizes eclectic health care for the whole family, including conventional, orthomolecular and natural medicine. He is also the medical director of The Integrative Medical Center of Santa Barbara in Lompoc, CA. He went to UCLA medical school and is board certified in family medicine.