Earlier this month, Hartford, CT – Federal health officials released a report underscoring the importance of managing high blood pressure.
The report reveals that 67 million Americans (one third of adults) have high blood pressure. Most Western countries have a similar percentage.
If you belong to this group, you’re four times more likely to die of stroke and three times more likely to die of heart disease than those with a healthy blood pressure.
This was the informational part of the report.
After that, the report creators go on an insane rap about how important it is for everyone to go on medications (wonder who sponsored this part).
But at the same time, they unintentionally revealed just how ineffective blood pressure medications really are.
In today’s feature article I’ll explain this and tell you about a few natural things that are more effective to lower blood pressure than medications.
Out of the 67 million people with high blood pressure, 53 million are aware of their hypertension and 47 million are treated with medications. But only 31 million have their blood pressure under control.
So right off the bat we can assume that at least a third of the people who take blood pressure medications don’t really benefit at all. They only get side effects- no improvements in blood pressure.
But wait, there is more. The study writers seem to have jumped to the conclusion that it’s really the medications that are lowering blood pressure for every single one of those 31 million people. However, I am sure that many of those who have their blood pressure under control have also taken some steps in improving their lifestyles.
At best, blood pressure medications are somewhat beneficial for maybe only half of those taking them.
But at what price? How many side effects are they causing? What other diseases are the blood pressure medications creating?
Blood pressure medications force the blood pressure down. Therefore, they have not been shown to improve arterial health (the thickness of the arterial walls) in the same ways as natural methods do.
There are several natural things that are much more effective than drugs to bring your pressure down.
1) Cut out as much processed food as you can. It includes both chemicals and industrial salt that shoots your pressure up. In addition, cut out as much sugar as you can and you’re 80% on your way to ultimate health.
2) Exercise – A 15-minute bout of high-intensity exercises three to four times a week gives you similar cardiovascular health to what you had 20 years ago. Do your workout outside in the sun and fresh air, and your effort is multiplied.
3) Overdose on Antioxidants – Blueberries and colorful vegetables boost your immune system and eliminate inflammation. Add some Omega-3 type of food such as salmon or avocado to the menu and feel yourself getting younger by the day.
The most effective method I know of to lower blood pressure naturally is the regimen of simple blood pressure exercises. These exercises have been proven to work for almost everyone, sometimes as soon as the first day.
Learn more about our blood pressure exercises here…
We’ve also published over 500 free articles about improving high blood pressure and other health issues naturally. Click the “Brows by Topic” button above to choose the subject you want to learn more about.
But first of all, please leave your comments below.
Christian I found your article extremely helpful. Years ago, Arkansas Gov. Huckabee lost considerable weight through diet and exercise and stopped taking
high blood medication altogether.
I have been taking blood pressure medication too and I shall take into heart your article’s advise.
I thoroughly enjoy reading your articles and numerous people like myself may have benefited from them too.
My experience with medications has been this: almost all of them work for 6-8 weeks, then they quickly become ineffective. I have tried about five. I have lost weight, gotten active (fast walking, yoga), cut out dairy and as much processed food as I can…and my pressure is still high. I don’t get it, but am still working at lowering it naturally. That is really my only option!
What you say is supported by a recent study.Four trials of approximately 9,000 patients have found no proven difference in mortality, stroke, coronary heart disease or total cardiovascular events between patients taking the medication and those taking a placebo. For patients with blood pressure in a certain range there is no proven benefit from taking medication. What was noticed was a trend towards reduction in stroke, but a trend towards increase in coronary heart disease.You can read the interview on this study led by Professor Jum Wright from the University of British Columbia on the following link.
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/questions-
over-benefits-of-medications-for-mild-hypertension/4266086
However it is worth considering that high blood pressure does great damage to eyes and other organs and the medications may still play a role in preventing such damage. As the Professor points out the study did not show that there was no benefit from the medication but that in patients with mild hypertension there was no noticeable reduction in stroke occurence.
I would be interested in articles on natural ways of improving arterial health. My Father died of a stroke and I want to make sure it doesn’t happen
to me. Thanks
I have been on medication for high BP for over 20 years and have managed to keep it under control, so far.
I also adhere to the diet outlined by you,and do indulge in walking,swimming etc.
This has contributed to control but no elimination of BP.
wondering what is the actual target / healthy BP? Is there a range or are the 120/80 ish numbers hard and fast for everyone?
I too am wondering about healthy 120/80 rate being the same for a 20 Y/O as an almost 80 Y/O, I don’t believe that can be so, not logical! so what would be normal for a 70-80 Y/O????
hi I think this is a very useful web page , it has been for me thankyou all.
I have also found that juicing 4 sticks of celery a day has brought down my blood pressure but I put in 2 apples with it as I don't really like the taste of celery.