Cardiologists Weigh in on Natural Hypertension Aids

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Cardiologists Weigh in on Natural Hypertension Aids

Posted On : Sep-06-2011 | seen (608) times | Article Word Count : 626 |

This story is all about doctors' advice. The target is high
blood pressure and the subject is whether alternative health
methods can work for you. Here is what an array of
cardiologists -- heart experts -- believes on the subject.

There is no question that patients are inquiring more and
more about how natural medicine could help lower their
blood pressure. There is a shift away from drugs
happening. With this in mind, researchers conducted a
review of evidence for a wide range of natural hypertension
solutions.

Overall, there is not enough proof to recommend any
alternative medicine on a regular basis. But, on a person-
by-person basis, they believe that natural medicine could be
very useful. Every person is different, and every person
may react to a medicine in different ways.

Here are the top alternative remedies -- some natural, some
not –researchers have identified:

1. Lifestyle: They emphasize that all patients with
hypertension should adhere to the low-salt DASH (Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which is high in
fiber and low in fats and incorporates lots of fruits and
vegetables. Another lifestyle measure is to follow an
exercise regimen for shedding pounds.

2. Acupuncture/Meditation: Research on both practices is
mixed -- the types of patients included, the methods
used, and the results vary from study to study. While there
is no conclusive evidence that either lowers blood pressure,
researchers found that acupuncture reduces blood pressure
compared to placebo in patients also taking anti-
hypertensive medications, while in a meta-analysis,
transcendental meditation appeared to lower blood
pressure. Other techniques that may provide some benefit
include Zen Buddhist meditation and "Qigong" (the basis
of tai chi).

3. Supplements: The remedy with the best evidence is
coenzyme Q10, an enzyme involved in energy production
that also acts as an antioxidant. Patients with hypertension
tend to have lower levels of the enzyme, and studies found
that coenzyme Q10 supplements significantly reduced
blood pressure. The researchers think it could have a
profound effect. As well, potassium helps lower blood
pressure, and there is evidence that increasing the amount
of potassium we get through the foods we eat could carry
some of the same mild benefits as taking supplements.

4. Herbs: Researchers identified mistletoe extract, used in
Chinese medicine, as a herbal remedy potentially useful for
hypertension. Also, hawthorn, a type of tree, is also used,
but provides only a slight reduction in blood pressure.
Some remedies they found to possible increase blood
pressure include St. John's wort, ephedra/ma huang,
yohimbine, and licorice. Consult with your doctor before
taking any of these herbs.

5. Devices: A few devices may help. Two that can be used
at home are the "RESPeRATE" breathing device and the
"Zona Plus" handheld device.

The RESPeRATE system uses a breath sensor and gives
patients feedback through headphones to help them slow
their breathing, which research suggests benefits blood
pressure. If used 15 minutes a day, studies show that
RESPeRATE leads to a modest decrease in hypertension.

The Zona Plus is a device that patients grip in either hand
and use to perform multiple sets of squeezing at different
levels in response to electronic cues. Researchers say there
is no good explanation as to why this works, but studies
found the device decreased hypertension in patients using it
three days a week for at least eight weeks.

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<h1>Cardiologists Weigh in on Natural Hypertension Aids</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_doctorshealthpress.aspx'>doctorshealthpress</a> This story is all about doctors' advice. The target is high 
blood pressure and the subject is whether alternative health 
methods can work for you. Here is what an array of 
cardiologists -- heart experts -- believes on the subject.

There is no question that patients are inquiring more and 
more about how natural medicine could help lower their 
blood pressure. There is a shift away from drugs 
happening. With this in mind, researchers conducted a 
review of evidence for a wide range of natural hypertension 
solutions.

Overall, there is not enough proof to recommend any 
alternative medicine on a regular basis. But, on a person-
by-person basis, they believe that natural medicine could be 
very useful. Every person is different, and every person 
may react to a medicine in different ways.

Here are the top alternative remedies -- some natural, some 
not –researchers have identified:

1. Lifestyle: They emphasize that all patients with 
hypertension should adhere to the low-salt DASH (Dietary 
Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which is high in 
fiber and low in fats and incorporates lots of fruits and 
vegetables. Another lifestyle measure is to follow an 
exercise regimen for shedding pounds.

2. Acupuncture/Meditation: Research on both practices is 
mixed -- the types of patients included, the methods 
used, and the results vary from study to study. While there 
is no conclusive evidence that either lowers blood pressure, 
researchers found that acupuncture reduces blood pressure 
compared to placebo in patients also taking anti-
hypertensive medications, while in a meta-analysis, 
transcendental meditation appeared to lower blood 
pressure. Other techniques that may provide some benefit 
include Zen Buddhist meditation and "Qigong" (the basis 
of tai chi).

3. Supplements: The remedy with the best evidence is 
coenzyme Q10, an enzyme involved in energy production 
that also acts as an antioxidant. Patients with hypertension 
tend to have lower levels of the enzyme, and studies found 
that coenzyme Q10 supplements significantly reduced 
blood pressure. The researchers think it could have a 
profound effect. As well, potassium helps lower blood 
pressure, and there is evidence that increasing the amount 
of potassium we get through the foods we eat could carry 
some of the same mild benefits as taking supplements.

4. Herbs: Researchers identified mistletoe extract, used in 
Chinese medicine, as a herbal remedy potentially useful for 
hypertension. Also, hawthorn, a type of tree, is also used, 
but provides only a slight reduction in blood pressure. 
Some remedies they found to possible increase blood 
pressure include St. John's wort, ephedra/ma huang, 
yohimbine, and licorice. Consult with your doctor before 
taking any of these herbs.

5. Devices: A few devices may help. Two that can be used 
at home are the "RESPeRATE" breathing device and the 
"Zona Plus" handheld device.

The RESPeRATE system uses a breath sensor and gives 
patients feedback through headphones to help them slow 
their breathing, which research suggests benefits blood 
pressure. If used 15 minutes a day, studies show that 
RESPeRATE leads to a modest decrease in hypertension.

The Zona Plus is a device that patients grip in either hand 
and use to perform multiple sets of squeezing at different 
levels in response to electronic cues. Researchers say there 
is no good explanation as to why this works, but studies 
found the device decreased hypertension in patients using it 
three days a week for at least eight weeks. 
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Keywords : hypertension, acupuncture, doctors' advice, alternative health,

Category : Health and Fitness : Health and Fitness

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