Treating and Controlling High Blood Pressure
Posted: Saturday, July 04, 2009
by Grammy Guru
http://grammyguru.com
My father and brother had high blood pressure beginning in their mid thirties, but they also had defective heart mitrovalves. Over the years, they were on most of the recommended therapies for high blood pressure; however, the physicians treating them were unable to keep their blood pressure under control.
Somehow, until ten years ago, I dodged the bullet and had no blood pressure problems. Then, seemingly out of the blue, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. My blood pressure stays under control for awhile, and then suddenly skyrockets. I can be sitting at home, quietly reading and, bam! My blood pressure soars. Some people say they are not aware when their blood pressure is high. But, when my diastolic pressure is over 80, my ear drums feel as if they are going to explode. That's my cue to get out the blood pressure cuff and see how high the pressure really is.
My daughter's co-worker gave her an article I highly recommend you read, if you are having difficulty getting and keeping your high blood pressure under control. My nephrologist has published many articles regarding treating high blood pressure, using different approaches, and he asked to make a copy of this article. The title of this article is "Why the Treatment of Hypertension has Become Such a Deplorable Fiasco, Part I and Part II. You may download this information from this website: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/12/03/hypertensin-part two.aspx .
I don't have a medical or science background, so some of the information in this article went over my head. However, my doctor distilled the information enough for me to understand that diagnosing the underlying cause of the hypertension is crucial, and many people who are being treated for hypertension are on the wrong medications, the wrong dosages, too many medications or all three, because the underlying cause of their disease has not been diagnosed. There is a test, Direct Renin immunoassay, that is available through Quest Laboratories which will detect the underlying cause of one's high blood pressure. If the test shows you have an excess of renin or of sodium, your treatment plan and medications can be adjusted according to your diagnosis.
Some of us must also address the issue of stress and how it can contribute to our high blood pressure problems. In my case, to help me cope with daily stress, I am going to take a class in meditation and biofeedback and am using the Resperate machine, recommended by Mayo Clinic for treatment of high blood pressure.
I wish treating medical conditions were always a straightforward matter, but that is not the case. As patients, we have to be proactive and investigate proper and current treatments for our diseases and health problems. We sometimes need to search for physicians willing to listen to our concerns and needs and to utilize treatments we believe are in our own best interests. I feel comfortable questioning my doctor if I disagree with his treatment plan. He doesn't take it personally and explains thoroughly why he's chosen a specific treatment or medication. I have refused to take specific medications due to their side effects and requested alternative tests when they are covered by my insurance and my research indicates the tests would be helpful in treating my illness. For me, this has meant finding new physicians and utilizing a combination of natural as well as conventional treatments.
If you have uncontrollable high blood pressure, take time to research your treatment options. It could literally save your life.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Very good information and thank you for sharing it, Grammy.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you, Avis. Hope it helps someone else.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Grammy Guru,Very valuable lessons on high blood pressure. Thank you for this article. keep writting.Please log in to respond to this comment.Dear Swapna,Thanks for reading and commenting. If the article helps even one person, it's worth writing it.Take care.GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Grammy, very informative article. My father has high blood pressure and I'm pretty sure it's only a matter of time before I'm diagnosed. I'm not looking forward to it!Please log in to respond to this comment.Hi, Rob,If high b.p. is in your family, hopefully, you are doing everything you can to avoid getting it yourself. With a little research and the right treatments, you may avoid the problem yourself. Sure hope so!Thanks for reading and commenting.GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Thank you for guiding others towards finding answers for high blood pressure. I can see how controlling stress would be important.Please log in to respond to this comment.Hi, Jeanine,Thanks for reading and commenting. I certainly hope this article helps someone! Heavens only knows it can be a long path to wellness.GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Great article. Well done.I have never sufferd but still monitor it regularly.Please log in to respond to this comment.Hi, Connor,Sure hope you never have b.p. problems!Thanks for reading and commenting.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Very important information, hopefully we get our health care under control here. I think this industry has a lot of problems.Please log in to respond to this comment.Hi, James,You're right. This b.p. thing is a big deal. I couldn't believe how many people develop diabetes and kidney disease as a result of uncontrolled high b.p.Thanks for taking time to read and comment.GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Grammy,Kudos to you for going the 'natural' way. Do the meditation absolutely, but if you learn to breathe with the support of your diaphragm and make it a habit -- doing it 24 hours a day -- I think you notice a difference.My blood pressure is so low that my doctor remarked on it some years ago. I attribute it to breathing correctly.All the best in your endeavors,NancyPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for the response, Nancy. I am going to a class in meditation, taught by my daughter's acquaintance. He says the breathing techniques will help with the b.p. Sure hope so.It's good to hear what works for others. I appreciate you sharing.Take care.GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
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