Hypertension

Question 1

Hypertension: Causes and Risk factors

Answer 1

• Genetic
• Obesity
• Excess Alcohol
• Stress
• Nutritional deficiencies
• High table salt
• Inactivity
• Smoking
• Drugs
• Raised Uric Acid

Question 2

Natural Approach to hypertension

Answer 2

• Increase potassium/sodium ratio
• Dash diet
• ACE inhibitory peptides
• Optimise sleep
• Optimise weight

Question 3

Hypertenision Nutrients

Answer 3

• Vitamin D
• Magnesium
• L-arginine
• Vitamin B6

Question 4

Tissue salts for hypertension

Answer 4

• Mag. phos. and / or Kali. phos. (may reduce systolic and diastolic pressure) and Nat. sulph. (improves urine output and thus helps reduce blood volume).
• Calc. fluor. ― to strengthen arterial walls, improve elasticity and reduce arteriosclerosis.

Question 5

Herbs for hypertension

Answer 5

• The traditional ‘C.A.T.’ formula: Equal parts dried herbs infused, 1 cup 2–3 x daily.
• Crataegus spp. [hawthorn] (cardiotonic, hypotensive).
• Achillea millefolium [yarrow] (diuretic, hypotensive).
• Tilia europea [lime flower] (nervine relaxant, diuretic, anti-hyperlipidaemic).
• To support blood pressure lowering, dandelion leaf is a diuretic and naturally rich in potassium. 1–2 teaspoons infused, 2–3 cups daily, or 3–4 fresh leaves in salads / smoothies.

Question 6

Lifestyle for hypertension

Answer 6

• Stress management: Essential because of the physiological effects of the stress response on CV health.
  – Diaphragmatic breathing: Shown to decrease systolic and diastolic BP, heart rate and anxiety, and promote a sense of relaxation in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive individuals.
  – Earthing: (Walking barefoot on grass or sand) improves heart rate variability, lowers night-time cortisol and promotes a parasympathetic state.
• Exercise: Start gently and gradually ↑CV fitness. Aerobic exercise e.g., walking, swimming, cycling and jogging is recommended. Avoidexercise that is very intense in short bursts e.g., sprinting, weightlifting.

Question 7

Hypertension: Vitamin D

Answer 7

Dose as needed to reach optimum levels

• Deficiency of vitamin D leadsto overexpression of renin, activating RAS—↑ vasoconstriction and retention of sodium and water.
• ↓proinflammatory cytokines, ↑NO, ED function and arterial elasticity and ↓hs-CRP.
• The lower the levels of vitamin D the greater the risk of hypertension.

Question 8

Hypertension: Magnesium glycinate/taurate

Answer 8

500–800 mg / day

• Deficiency is associatedwith HTN. Alterationsin intracellular and extracellular magnesium affects cardiac and vascular tone and reactivity.

Question 9

Hypertension: L-argenine

Answer 9

1000 - 2000 mg x 3 daily

• Arginine is the principle substrate for vascular NO synthesis.
• Modulates the RAS, inhibiting ACE activity, thereby decreasing angiotensin II and its downstream effects.
• Hypertensive patients display high hs-CRP, low apelin (stimulates NO in ED) and increased arginase (breaks down arginine).

Question 10

Hypertension: B6

Answer 10

100 mg 1-2 x/day

• B6 deficiency is associated with hypertension. It is an important co-factor (e.g. NA, adrenaline, serotonin). Increases cysteine synthesis, glutathione, blocks Ca channels and reduces SNS tone. Reduced with diuretics!