We have all learned throughout the years that high blood pressure is one of the main causes of stroke and heart attack. And we’ve been told to do everything in our power to bring our blood pressure below 120/80.
That includes taking blood pressure medications although these medications can deliver serious side effects.
But is this true? And are blood pressure medications really worth all the side effects?
A new study may shed some light on this controversial issue.
Research conducted at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver studied over 3,000 participants in an effort to determine how lowering blood pressure affected risk of stroke.
What they found was that the closer a participant was able to get his or her blood pressure to 120/80 or below, the less likely he or she was to experience not only a recurring stroke (cut the risk by more than 60%), but also the risk of a first time ischemic (bleeding) stroke as well.
[adrotate group=”5″]The interesting thing, however, was that the risk of a clot-caused first stroke (when a clot in the blood vessels comes lose and blocks the arteries in the brain) was unaffected.
The problem with the study, though, is that the participants were only given medications to lower their blood pressure, and none were directed to lower their risk naturally.
Predictably, the patients who took the most medications and had the highest drop in blood pressure were also the ones who suffered the most side effects- most frequently, fainting.
This is where the criticism of the medication-only approach would be warranted- if the same (or even better) results of lowering blood pressure could be found without side effects like dry mouth, allergic reaction, liver damage, edema, syncope and myriad others, wouldn’t the natural way be preferred?
Especially since going off medications cold turkey can almost guarantee stroke will occur. But this is what many patients are faced with when they can’t afford medications or they stop responding to what they are taking.
Taking a whole body natural approach by eating healthy, moderately exercising and reducing stress is a much more effective approach in reducing the risk of stroke and other diseases than relying on medications alone.
Eliminate the risk, dump the side effects. This 3-step program gets your blood pressure down to 120/80 in as little as 1 day…
Remove the clots in your arteries by lowering your cholesterol level using this easy to follow step-by-step plan…
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Interesting article showing the negative side of medicating vs. naturopathic treatment! however, there is a typo: the 'ischemic' stroke is caused by clots, while the stroke caused by bleeding is called 'hemorrhagic', and is a type of stroke that occurs more seldom..
I assume that by using BP medication it is the risk of the first hemorrhagic stroke that is shown to be reduced – while the risk of the first, more common, ischemic stroke remains unaffected.
Important posting!
I am an 88 years old male, who was diagnostic with lymphatic cancer four years ago, I went thru khimo and I also take lots of vitamin which I found researching the Internet. I also have 70% blockage in one of my arteries and two leaking valves in my heart. I try to keep my cholesterol and blood pressure under control, but it is not easy. I am a very active person, I eat every thing, but small portions, exercise every day and get lots of positive energy thru my dog, I can feel the positive energy flowing inside me from my dog ( you can laugh, I don’t care, but please, try it out. My Oncologist tells me that my cancer is cure, that, I don’t believe, I think that cancer is there for ever, but, that it is in remission, yes, I believe that. Here is the list of medicine and vitamins that I take every day:
HYDROCLOROTHZIDE 12.5 MG
SINVASTATIN 40 MC
LISINOPRIL 5 MG
CARDEVILOL 12.5 MG
SIMASTATIN 20 MG
ASPIRINE 325 MG
CHORELLA 500 MG TIME THREE = 1500 MG
OMEGA 3 360 MG TIME TWO = 720 MG
GARLIC 500 MG TIME TWO = 1000 MG
VITAMIN D 5000 MG TIME TWO = 1000 IU
UBIQUINOL 100 MG TIME TWO = 200 MG
NIACIN 500
LIPOID ACID 600
VITAMIN E 400
IRON 1000
SELENIUM 200
ZINC
ALOA VERA
VITAMIN C 1000
SAW PALMETTO 1000
CALCIUM/MAGNESIUM
BEFORE BREAKFAST SHAKE (APPLE,CARROTS,ASPARAGUS,BEET,LEMON JUICE) 1/2 GLASS
BEFORE GOING TO BED 1/2 GLASS LEMONADE WITH 1/4 TEA SPOON OF BAKING SODA
I HAVE DONE THIS EVERY DAY FOR OVER TWO OR THREE YEARS.
I ALWAYS READ CHRISTIAN GOODMAN NEWS AND DR MARCOLA
MG
GARLIC
Christian, I appreciate the spirit of your post on blood pressure and stroke but your credibility suffers when you conflate ischemic and bleeding stroke. Fred
I am trying to order the 3 easy exercises to lower blood pressure online, however in the drop-down line of countries, Bermuda is not listed. Please advise. Many thanks for your valuable assistance in this matter.
Under protest, I was on BP medication and headed for trouble with Liver problem and… I started doing deep breathing exercises, eating jaleno’s and red pepper in my diet, healthy foods, and walking at least once a day, and in the course of two weeks my BP has dropped about 30 points… I am still going… without the no good BP medicine… and I discovered this with articles like this, and not 3 different Doctors… Go figure. They might say “eat healthy” and Exercise… but they never say what!
Blood pressure is a very complex issue. As a Naturopath I have a list of at least twenty five contributory causes. Using my diagnostic methods helps as they cover more than the medical tests but it is hard and really at what leve does it become really dangerous. Like statins they are big business for drug companies and they have presssured the system to have low cholesterol and blood peressure figures that do not suit evryone. Hugh Halliday. http://www.declarenzge-gmfree.co.nz
I watched a Youtube about electrical earthing yesterday – utterly amazing!
(no, I don’t have any connection with the products)amongst other benefits reducing your chance of a clot based stroke!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7gWnRG8gfk
and it is claimed earthing oneself whilst sleeping has huge health benefits one of which is to thin the blood – from ketchup to red wine consistency. It works so well that it is dangerous to do without seeing your doc about it if you are on blood thinning meds.
It is a series of 7 films and takes quite a time to watch but is well worth it.
for the price of a £35 earthing mat under your legs (skin contact needed) in bed and plugged into the earth part of a mains socket it is a cheap enough experiment to try especially for those with poor sleep and or pain/ inflammation.
I am very excited by this and am sending off for a mat, I can’t wait to try this!