Have you heard the latest treatment for lowering your blood pressure?
A study in the journal Hypertension (online Feb. 4) showed that two cups (500 ml) of beet juice lowered blood pressure by approximately 10 points. That is better than many prescription drugs. The effect lasts up to 24 hours.
Beets are high in dietary nitrate and increase the amount of nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide (NO) helps blood vessels relax, lowering blood pressure.
Talk to your doctor about this option and if it could help you too.
For more research and other self help suggestions, check out the directories under 'My Links' at the side of the page.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Happy thoughts can lower blood pressure
There could be a simple solution to lowering your blood pressure. Read this article for more information on this research.
"The prescription to lower your blood pressure may be as simple as this: Don't worry. Be happy.A study by University of Texas Medical Branch faculty members links positive emotions to lower blood pressure. Dr. Glenn Ostir of UTMB said patients were asked questions about their happiness and optimism levels at the same time their blood pressure was taken. "Those who were happier seemed to have lower blood pressure," he said. "Positive emotions tend to be associated with a reduced risk of heart attack or stroke." While the study focused on 2,500 Mexican Americans 65 and older, Ostir said he has no reason to believe this treatment wouldn't work for other ethnic groups as well.If you can control your emotional well-being and lower your blood pressure, the theory is you could prevent a heart attack or stroke.While Ostir stops short of saying happy people don't have heart attacks or strokes, he did say positive emotions tend to be associated with a reduced risk of these diseases.The study also found that targeting the emotional health of older adults might be used as part of non-medication treatment, saving elderly patients money on prescriptions.The Bright SideFaith Casanova of Galveston is disabled and has other ailments to deal with, but she tries to look on the bright side of life.The 72-year-old Jehovah's Witness said she spends her time thinking about the good things and the positive teachings of her religion. "I focus on the resurrection, hope, future and paradise here on earth," she said."
Source: http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=0fe011b36864d8e5&
"The prescription to lower your blood pressure may be as simple as this: Don't worry. Be happy.A study by University of Texas Medical Branch faculty members links positive emotions to lower blood pressure. Dr. Glenn Ostir of UTMB said patients were asked questions about their happiness and optimism levels at the same time their blood pressure was taken. "Those who were happier seemed to have lower blood pressure," he said. "Positive emotions tend to be associated with a reduced risk of heart attack or stroke." While the study focused on 2,500 Mexican Americans 65 and older, Ostir said he has no reason to believe this treatment wouldn't work for other ethnic groups as well.If you can control your emotional well-being and lower your blood pressure, the theory is you could prevent a heart attack or stroke.While Ostir stops short of saying happy people don't have heart attacks or strokes, he did say positive emotions tend to be associated with a reduced risk of these diseases.The study also found that targeting the emotional health of older adults might be used as part of non-medication treatment, saving elderly patients money on prescriptions.The Bright SideFaith Casanova of Galveston is disabled and has other ailments to deal with, but she tries to look on the bright side of life.The 72-year-old Jehovah's Witness said she spends her time thinking about the good things and the positive teachings of her religion. "I focus on the resurrection, hope, future and paradise here on earth," she said."
Source: http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=0fe011b36864d8e5&
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Chiropractor Fixes High Blood Pressure!
Extremely interesting information here! Who would have thought a chiropractor could affect your cholesterol levels! Read on!
"Millions of Americans have high blood pressure and turn to medication for help controlling it, but a trip to the chiropractor could be what the doctor ordered. Doctor Marshall Dickholtz has been fixing spines for five decades. He focuses his attention on the top bone of the spine at the base of the brain called the atlas. Dickholtz says, "When you have a pinched brain stem, it closes out your arteries. If the arteries close down, the blood pressure has to be higher to go through those arteries." Dickholtz says a misaligned atlas will raise blood pressure. He has a machine that checks alignment, and after checking x-rays, Dickholtz know just what to do. The treatment seems to be helping. A recent study out of Chicago reports a 17-point drop in blood pressure after the realignment."
Source: http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=3910&type=top
For more news like this, check out the "Health Directory" under "My Favourite Links".
"Millions of Americans have high blood pressure and turn to medication for help controlling it, but a trip to the chiropractor could be what the doctor ordered. Doctor Marshall Dickholtz has been fixing spines for five decades. He focuses his attention on the top bone of the spine at the base of the brain called the atlas. Dickholtz says, "When you have a pinched brain stem, it closes out your arteries. If the arteries close down, the blood pressure has to be higher to go through those arteries." Dickholtz says a misaligned atlas will raise blood pressure. He has a machine that checks alignment, and after checking x-rays, Dickholtz know just what to do. The treatment seems to be helping. A recent study out of Chicago reports a 17-point drop in blood pressure after the realignment."
Source: http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=3910&type=top
For more news like this, check out the "Health Directory" under "My Favourite Links".
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
High Blood Pressure for Dummies
Aren't those "....for dummies" books great. And now I've heard there is a new one out "High Blood Pressure for Dummies". If your blood pressure is at 140/90 or higher, then you are at risk for heart disease and stroke. Various lifestyle changes can help you keep your blood pressure under control and that is what this book looks at - losing weight, exercising, cutting back the salt. It will even tell you how to get a more accurate blood pressure measurement.
Check your local book store for a copy.
Check your local book store for a copy.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Generic beta blockers may lead to problems
Here is a question I found in an article relating to generic branded blood pressure medication. I thought it could be of use to someone out there. Definitely worth discussing this with your GP or pharmacist.
Article source: http://www.charlotte.com/162/story/427470.html
"Q. My doctor prescribed Toprol-XL several years ago, and it worked well. Last week, my pharmacist refilled my prescription with generic metoprolol succinate. Two days later, my blood pressure shot sky-high to 190/100. Luckily, I found some leftover pills of the brand name Toprol-XL. My blood pressure came down to 140/90 -- high but OK. Is there a problem with this new generic?
Toprol-XL (metoprolol) is a slow-release beta blocker prescribed to control high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. Many other readers have reported rapid heart rate and higher blood pressure after switching to some generic forms of metoprolol succinate.
One patient experienced pounding headaches with blood pressure of 225/125 after one week on metoprolol.
We urge anyone having a problem with a generic drug to discuss the problem with the prescriber."
Article source: http://www.charlotte.com/162/story/427470.html
"Q. My doctor prescribed Toprol-XL several years ago, and it worked well. Last week, my pharmacist refilled my prescription with generic metoprolol succinate. Two days later, my blood pressure shot sky-high to 190/100. Luckily, I found some leftover pills of the brand name Toprol-XL. My blood pressure came down to 140/90 -- high but OK. Is there a problem with this new generic?
Toprol-XL (metoprolol) is a slow-release beta blocker prescribed to control high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. Many other readers have reported rapid heart rate and higher blood pressure after switching to some generic forms of metoprolol succinate.
One patient experienced pounding headaches with blood pressure of 225/125 after one week on metoprolol.
We urge anyone having a problem with a generic drug to discuss the problem with the prescriber."
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