Hypertension and stress weakens the artery wall which are already stiffened and narrowed by plaques. As the heart is overloaded, blood pressure continues to rise. This increase forces the left ventricle of the heart to work even harder, causing left ventricular hypertrophy, resulting in chronic heart failure and electrical system dysfunctions, triggering arrhythmias.
Traditional treatment of hypertension varies from beta-blockers, vasodilators, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers. They are prescribed under the supervision of a physician and many have unpleasant side effects.
Alternative forms of treating hypertension through natural means have been under study in recent years, especially in relation to minerals. Epidemiological data suggest a relationship between blood pressure and calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Relatively high amounts of mineral intake can induce vascular smooth muscle relaxation and thus, peripheral resistance. These minerals are also critical in controlling conduction system and reduce the incidence of arrhythmias. Magnesium, in particular, plays a role in neuromuscular transmission activity and ion exchange. Studies have shown that patients with essential hypertension have significantly lowered blood pressure after 8 weeks on the mineral compared to the control group.
Other than minerals, essential fatty acids have anti-inflammation and platelet aggregation, thereby lowering blood pressure. A high intake of 5,000 mg to 10,000 mg of essential fatty acids is needed. This often causes a harmless but unpleasant fishy "burp" which is not well tolerated. Also, the herb hawthorne has been known to cause vasodilatation, which reduces peripheral vascular resistance. It enhances cardiac ejection fraction and decreases blood pressure.
Stress is a hallmark risk factor of cardiovascular disease, mainly due to its effect on arterial blood pressure, levels of atherosclerosis promoters, and neuroendocrine reactions. Studies of psychological stress in monkeys, for example, demonstrated an increased number of injured endothelial cells in the thoracic aorta. Acute psychological stress has also been shown to induce rapid and significant elevation in plasma homocysteine levels. The monkeys also suffered from exacerbated atherosclerosis via a heightened response of the sympathetic nervous system, which also exacerbates poor circulation. Studies have found that laboratory-induced stress, such as anger and irritability in heart disease patients, causes ischemia more than half the time.
Stress management can measurably improve performance on cardiac function tests. This is especially true of Type A personalities, whose chances of developing heart disease by the time they are 50 is four to five time greater than Type B personalities. The writing on the wall is clear - relax or else!
Certain nutrients can reduce the effects of the stress response at the physiological level. Antioxidant nutrients, such as Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ1O), Vitamin E, Vitamin B complex, and Magnesium help counteract the increase in oxidative stress associated with psychological stress.
In addition to lifestyle modifications consisting of a healthy diet and moderate exercise, normalization of traditional established risk factors of cardiovascular disease may incorporate nutritional supplementation as part of the regimen.
© Copyright 2012 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
