Some interesting findings have revealed that premature death could occur in some people with high blood pressure who experience steep drops in pressure following drug therapy. This does not mean that people with high blood pressure should rethink taking their medications, as high blood pressure can harm the heart.
It is not unusual to hear doctors talking about the risk of heart attack associated with high blood pressure. While fewer Americans are dying from heart disease, deaths linked to high blood pressure are on the rise. Untreated high blood pressure or hypertension can lead to stroke and cardiovascular problems, so when researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City announced that blood pressure drops following medications could be risky for heart patients, many in the medical community took notice.
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The researchers gathered information on close to 8,000 non-diabetic adults who suffered from high blood pressure. They looked at patients who had a systolic blood pressure of 164 mm Hg or higher before treatment and discovered that those who were able to reduce that number to less than 142 mm Hg while being treated were 32 percent more likely to die, compared to those who lowered it to 152 mm Hg or more during treatment.
Interestingly, cases where systolic blood pressure was below 164 mm Hg before treatment turned out to be much different. When treated with medications that lowered systolic blood pressure for these people to less than 142 mm Hg, patients had a 40 percent lower risk of dying, compared to those with blood pressure reduced to 152 mm Hg or higher.
Experts believe the findings are worth investigating further to get a clear understanding of why this is happening. In the meantime, heart specialists are saying patients should still take their medications and that ongoing treatment of blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular risk is still very important. Some are suggesting these new findings could simply be an indication that any change in blood pressure needs to be gradual to avoid complications.
Home remedies to manage blood pressure
The term premature death certainly sounds scary for those who struggle with blood pressure problems. Most people who receive news that they have high or low blood pressure are eager to address it. Often medications are prescribed for high blood pressure. Statistics suggest that seven out of 10 people diagnosed with high blood pressure end up taking prescribed medications. Yes, these medications can be life-saving and we are not suggesting you drop them, but there are home remedies that some people have discovered can be helpful in getting blood pressure back to a healthy range. Below we explore herbs, spices, and other natural ways to deal with blood pressure problems.
Lifestyle adjustments, such as lowering stress, drinking less alcohol, avoiding tobacco, and getting regular exercise can have a positive impact on your blood pressure. A heart-healthy diet that involves watching your salt and sugar intake is also important, but you can also incorporate medicinal herbs and spices into your routine to assist you with blood pressure management, including five listed below.
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Medicinal herbs and spices
- Basil
- Garlic
- Cardamom
- Cat’s claw
- Celery seed
When it comes to blood pressure management, there are other natural steps that can be taken into consideration. Some of those steps are listed here, and although it can take time to incorporate these into your life, after a short period of time it will simply become habit.
Other natural ways to lower blood pressure
- Lower salt intake
- Lower sugar intake
- Maintain a good sodium-potassium balance
- Stay off caffeine
Fluctuating blood pressure is something that happens to all of us at some point in our lives, but it is usually temporary. It could be as simple as a change in pressure due to someone walking into a room unannounced and taking us by surprise. This is where the saying, “You scared the wits out of me” comes from. Having said this, it is important to understand that there are situations where changes in blood pressure are a serious sign of a health problem. People who have experienced heart ailments and are on blood pressure medications should be monitoring their pressure regularly. They should not assume that since they have been prescribed a specific treatment that their health is automatically under control. In addition to monitoring blood pressure, anyone who is a heart patient should maintain open dialogue with their doctor and get regular check-ups.
