Definition

Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure is, by definition, a repeated and
elevated blood pressure more than 140 over 90 mmHg. This means a systolic pressure over 140
or a diastolic pressure over 90. The term Chronic hypertension is a "quiet" condition that doesn't
have manifestations. It can cause vein changes in the back of the eye (retina), irregular
thickening of the heart muscle, kidney failure, and cerebrum harm.

It is characterized as chronic elevation of the blood pressure in the arteries. This rise may
prompt cardiovascular harm. Blood pressure is broken into systolic and diastolic qualities. The
systolic measurement is the pinnacle pressure in the arteries, and the diastolic pressure is the
minimum pressure. Normal blood pressure can be known as by being underneath 120/80, where
120 speaks to the systolic or maximum estimation and 80 speaks to the diastolic least estimation.
Hypertension happens when the blood pressure comes to over 140/90. The hazard for
hypertension is expanded in a condition known as prehypertension, which happens when the
pulse is between 120/80 and 139/89.

There are two classifications of hypertension defined as essential and secondary. When
there is obscure reason for such high blood pressure, this is called essential hypertension. All the
while, hypertension with a known or direct cause is called secondary hypertension. A portion of
the reasons for secondary hypertension incorporate kidney sickness, tumors, or prescriptions. For
example, utilization of anti-conception medication pills. The most widely recognized reasons for
hypertension incorporate smoking, being overweight, diabetes, having an inactive way of life,
absence of exercise, high salt or liquor admission levels, lacking utilization of calcium,
potassium or magnesium, an inadequacy in nutrient D, stress, maturing, ceaseless kidney illness
and adrenal and thyroid conditions or tumors. A few people may likewise be hereditarily inclined
to hypertension. Cerebral pains, weariness, disarray, dazedness, queasiness, vision issues, chest
torments, breathing issues, unpredictable heartbeat and blood in the pee are for the most part side
effects of hypertension. Be that as it may, numerous instances of hypertension are asymptomatic,
which is the reason why periodic blood pressure screenings are prescribed.

History

The discovery for hypertension goes way back to Frederick Mahomed who in the early
1870s measured blood pressures (BP) as a medical resident at Guy’s Hospital in London.
Working with a watchmaker, he made a spring-based gadget that could measure the strain of the
radial pulse, a compact rendition of the sphygmograph created by Étienne-Jules Marey 10 years
earlier in France. While it was realized that patients with kidney sickness and albuminuria could
have high BP, he found a subset of the population that had high blood pressures without
proteinuria. In spite of Mahomed's revelation, the BP measurement was not commonly used until
the 1890s.

Scipione Riva-Rocci deviced a more practical method for deciding systolic blood
pressure utilizing a mercury manometer and an inflatable cuff to decide the pressure (mmHg)
needed to impede the brachial vein and subsequently smother the spiral beat. The photo of

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Scipione Riva-Rocci (obscure picture taker, 1896) is in the open space as indicated by the Danish
Consolidated Act Copyright of 2010 (Danish National Archive).

Nicolai Korotkoff described the appearance and disappearance of sounds “just below the
cuff” using a stethoscope, thus allowing for the measurement of diastolic pressure. He stated that
“the absence of pulsations is not indicative that the artery is completely occluded. In this respect,
our hearing is a better guide” The photograph of Nicolai Korotkoff (unknown photographer,
1900) is in the public domain according to article 1256 of the Civil Code of the Russian
Federation. The photograph of the manometer is in the public domain because its copyright has
expired; the original source is Korotkoff NS, Experiments for Determining the Strength of
Arterial Collaterals. St. Petersburg, Russia: Imperial Military Medical Academy, 1910.
Dissertation.

Pathophysiology

Hypertension, a chronic increase of blood pressure, leads to organ damage in the long
run. This results in increased morbidity and mortality. This is caused by cardiac output and
systemic vascular resistance. There is more cardiac output for the younger generation (Foex &
Swear, 2004). On the other hand, for older patients, increased systemic vascular resistance and
increased stiffness of the vasculature play a dominant role. Vascular tone may be increased
because of elevated α-adrenoceptor stimulation or increased release of peptides such as
angiotensin or endothelins. The final pathway is an increase in cytosolic calcium in vascular
smooth muscle causing vasoconstriction. Several growth factors, including angiotensin and
endothelins, cause an increase in vascular smooth muscle mass termed vascular remodelling.
Both an increase in systemic vascular resistance and an increase in vascular stiffness augment the
load imposed on the left ventricle; this induces left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular
diastolic dysfunction.

For the younger ones, the pulse pressure generated by the left ventricle is relatively low
and the waves reflected by the peripheral vasculature occur mainly after the end of systole, thus
increasing pressure during the early part of diastole and improving coronary perfusion.
According to Swear and Fox (2004), as people grow older, stiffening of the aorta and elastic
arteries increases the pulse pressure. Reflected waves move from early diastole to late systole.
This leads to an increase in left ventricular afterload and contributes to left ventricular
hypertrophy. The widening of the pulse pressure with ageing is a strong predictor of coronary
heart disease.

The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the control of blood pressure.
In hypertensive patients, both increased release of, and enhanced peripheral sensitivity to,
norepinephrine can be found. In addition, there is increased responsiveness to stressful stimuli.
Another feature of arterial hypertension is a resetting of the baroreflexes and decreased
baroreceptor sensitivity. The renin–angiotensin system is involved at least in some forms of
hypertension (e.g. renovascular hypertension) and is suppressed in the presence of primary
hyperaldosteronism. Elderly or black patients tend to have low-renin hypertension. Others have

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high-renin hypertension, and these are more likely to develop myocardial infarction and other
cardiovascular complications.

Volume regulation and the relationship between blood pressure and sodium excretion
(pressure natriuresis) are abnormal in human essential hypertension, and experimental
hypertension. A lot of evidences indicate that resetting of pressure natriuresis plays a key role in
causing hypertension. In patients with essential hypertension, resetting of pressure natriuresis is
characterized either by a parallel shift to higher blood pressures and salt-insensitive
hypertension, or by a decreased slope of pressure natriuresis and salt-sensitive hypertension.

Complications

Left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary artery diseases are two of the cardiac
consequences a person with hypertension can have. Left ventricular hypertrophy is caused by
pressure overload and is concentric. There is an increase in muscle mass and wall thickness but
not ventricular volume. Left ventricular hypertrophy impairs diastolic function, slowing
ventricular relaxation and delaying filling. Left ventricular hypertrophy is an independent risk
factor for cardiovascular disease, especially sudden death. The consequences of hypertension are
a function of its severity.

Too much pressure on your artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage your
blood vessels, as well as organs in your body. The higher your blood pressure and the longer it
goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can also lead to other complications including:

Heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure can cause hardening and thickening of the arteries
(atherosclerosis), which can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other complications.
Aneurysm. Increased blood pressure can cause your blood vessels to weaken and bulge, forming
an aneurysm. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can be life-threatening.
Heart failure. To pump blood against the higher pressure in your vessels, the heart has to work
harder. This causes the walls of the heart's pumping chamber to thicken (left ventricular
hypertrophy). Eventually, the thickened muscle may have a hard time pumping enough blood to
meet your body's needs, which can lead to heart failure.
Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys. This can prevent these organs from
functioning normally.
Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes. This can result in vision loss.
Metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is a cluster of disorders of your body's metabolism,
including increased waist circumference; high triglycerides; low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol; high blood pressure and high insulin levels. These conditions
make you more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

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Trouble with memory or understanding. Uncontrolled high blood pressure may also affect
your ability to think, remember and learn. Trouble with memory or understanding concepts is
more common in people with high blood pressure.
Dementia. Narrowed or blocked arteries can limit blood flow to the brain, leading to a certain
type of dementia (vascular dementia). A stroke that interrupts blood flow to the brain also can
cause vascular dementia.

Diagnosis

Multiple measurements should be done to come up with a comprehensive assessment of

blood pressure taken on several separate occasions. It is advised that this should be taken at least
twice, one or more weeks apart, or sooner if hypertension is severe. A mercury
sphygmomanometer or an automated digital device with or without the health professional
present are used to measure blood pressure. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and 24-
hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) offer different information and aid in the
diagnosis of other blood pressure–related conditions. In many instances, clinic measures may not
be enough thus HBPM and/or ABPM may be required to establish an accurate blood pressure
reading on which to inform treatment decisions (National Heart Foundation of Australia, 2016).

When considering a diagnosis of hypertension, measure blood pressure in both arms:

1. If the difference in readings between arms is more than 15 mmHg, repeat the
measurements.
2. If the difference in readings between arms remains more than 15 mmHg on the second
measurement, measure subsequent blood pressures in the arm with the higher reading.

If blood pressure measured in the clinic is 140/90 mmHg or higher:

1. Take a second measurement during the consultation.

2. If the second measurement is substantially different from the first, take a third
measurement.

If clinic blood pressure is between 140/90 mmHg and 180/110 mmHg, offer ambulatory
blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension. If ABPM is
unsuitable or the person is unable to tolerate it, offer home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) to
confirm the diagnosis of hypertension.

Signs and Symptoms

The dangerous thing about hypertension is it may not produce any symptoms, despite having
it for years. That’s why it is sometimes referred to as a "silent killer." It’s estimated that 1 out of
every 5 people with high blood pressure aren’t aware that they have this major risk factor for
strokes and heart attacks. If a person does not receive proper treatment, high blood pressure can
damage the heart and circulation, lungs, brain, and kidneys without causing noticeable
symptoms. Symptoms of high blood pressure may be present in those who have an extremely
high blood pressure. Symptoms of extremely high blood pressure include the following:

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 1. Severe headaches
2. Fatigue
3. Vision problems
4. Chest pain
5. Difficulty breathing
6. Irregular heartbeat
7. Blood in the urine
8. Pounding in the chest, neck, or ears

Classifications of Hypertension

There are two primary types for Hypertension. For 95 percent of individuals with
hypertension, the reason for their hypertension is obscure. This is called essential or primary
hypertension. At the point when a reason can be discovered, the condition is called secondary
hypertension

1. Essential hypertension. This kind of hypertension is analyzed after a medical doctor

observes that your high blood pressure is high on at least three visits and eliminates every
other single reason for hypertension. Normally individuals with essential hypertension
have no side effects, however they may encounter frequent tiredness, dizziness, or nose
bleeds. Despite the fact that the reason is unknown, specialists have researched that
smoking, obesity, alcohol, diet, and heredity all contribute a factor in essential
hypertension.

2. Secondary hypertension. The most widely recognized reason for secondary hypertension
is abnormality in the arteries providing blood to the kidneys. Other causes may be
obstruction of airway during sleep, infections and tumors of the adrenal glands, hormone
irregularities, thyroid disease, and excessive salt or liquor intake. Medications can cause
secondary hypertension as well, including over-the-counter meds, for example, ibuprofen
(Motrin, Advil, and others) and pseudoephedrine (Afrin, Sudafed, and others).
Fortunately if the reason is discovered, hypertension can regularly be controlled.

Prevention / Delay

By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range
and lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. A healthy lifestyle includes:

1. Healthy Diet

Choosing healthful meal and snack options can help avoid high blood pressure and its
complications. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetable and eating food low in salt
(sodium) and high in potassium can lower the blood pressure.

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 2. Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese increases the risk for high blood pressure. To determine if
somebody’s weight is in a healthy range, doctors often calculate their body mass index
(BMI). By knowing their weight and height, they are able to calculate their BMI. Doctors
sometimes also use waist and hip measurements to measure excess body fat.

3. Physical Activity

Physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and lower blood pressure. For adults,
2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or bicycling,
every week can help. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity
every day.

4. No Smoking

Cigarette smoking raises the blood pressure and puts a person at higher risk for heart
attack and stroke. If a person isn’t smoking yet, they should not risk trying in the first
place. If someone does smoke, quitting will lower their risk for heart disease. Doctors can
suggest ways to help them quit.

5. Limited Alcohol

Avoiding too much alcohol will help prevent the rise of blood pressure. Men or women
should have no more than 2 drinks per day.

6. Managing stress

Learning how to relax and manage stress can improve emotional and physical health and
lower high blood pressure. Stress management techniques include exercising, listening to
music, focusing on something calm or peaceful, and meditating.

Hypertension in Pregnancy

Pregnant women could have hypertension if she has a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of
140 mmHg or more and diastolic BP (DBP) of 90 mmHg or more on two separate measurements
at least 4 to 6 hours apart. However, the diagnosis of hypertension, in pregnancy or otherwise,
requires first and foremost an accurate measurement of blood pressure (BP). Many automated BP
cuffs have not been tested during pregnancy; therefore, obtaining a manual BP is the preferred
technique (Kattah & Garovic, 2013). The 2000 NHBPEP Working Group Report on High Blood
Pressure in Pregnancy recommends that the Korotkoff phase V (disappearance) sound be used to
determine the DBP.1 In the out-patient setting, proper BP technique is essential and includes the
subject being in a seated position, legs un- crossed, back supported, and no tobacco or caffeine
for 30 minutes prior. In recumbent, hospitalized patients, the provider should measure the BP in

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the left lateral decubitus position to minimize the BP change caused by the compression of the
inferior vena cava by the gravid uterus.

According to Kattah and Garovic (2013), measurements should be interpreted in the

context of the stage of pregnancy and the expected changes in BP for each trimester. BP drops
during the first and second trimesters, nadirs at approximately 20 weeks of gestation, and returns
to preconception levels by the third trimester. Women who have not had regular medical care
before pregnancy may be labeled as having ‘‘gestational hyper- tension’’ on the basis of elevated
BPs in the third trimester when in reality they were hypertensive before pregnancy, which was
masked by the physiologic changes during mid pregnancy. If a woman has gestational
hypertension that does not resolve after delivery, she will subsequently be diagnosed as having
chronic hypertension.

In addition, preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood

pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys.
Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had
been normal. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious, even fatal complications for both
you and your baby. If you have preeclampsia, the most effective treatment is delivery of your
baby. Even after delivering the baby, it can still take a while for you to get better. Rarely,
preeclampsia develops after delivery of a baby, a condition known as postpartum preeclampsia.

It is highly recommended that some high blood pressure medications should absolutely
not be used during pregnancy as they may harm the mother and developing fetus (Kattah &
Garrovic, 2013). These medications include ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers.
Reserpine may also be harmful during pregnancy and should only be used when no other
alternatives exist.

Risk Factors

High blood pressure has many risk factors, including:

1. Age: The risk of high blood pressure increases as a person ages. Until about age 64, high
blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop high blood
pressure after age 65.

2. Race: High blood pressure is particularly common among people of African heritage,
often developing at an earlier age than it does in whites. Serious complications, such as
stroke, heart attack and kidney failure, also are more common in people of African
heritage.

3. Genetic or Family history: High blood pressure tends to run in families. Genetic
polymorphisms (adducin, angiotensinogen, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, β2-
adrenoceptor, others)

4. Congenital: Low birth weight and maternal malnutrition (low nephron number), maternal
hypertension, preeclampsia

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5. Metabolic: High uric acid, insulin resistance, high hematocrit

6. Being overweight or obese: The more someone weighs, the more blood they need to
supply oxygen and nutrients to their tissues. As the volume of blood circulated through
their blood vessels increases, so does the pressure on their artery walls.

7. Not being physically active: People who are inactive tend to have higher heart rates. The
higher their heart rate, the harder their heart must work with each contraction and the
stronger the force on their arteries. Lack of physical activity also increases the risk of
being overweight.

8. Using tobacco: Not only does smoking or chewing tobacco immediately raise the blood
pressure temporarily, but the chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of artery walls.
This can cause arteries to narrow and increase the risk of heart disease. Secondhand
smoke also can increase heart disease risk.

9. High intake of salt (sodium) in diet: Too much sodium in the diet can cause the body to
retain fluid, which increases blood pressure.

10. Too little potassium in diet: Potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in cells. If
there is not enough potassium in the diet or retain enough potassium, there may be an
accumulation of too much sodium in the blood.

11. High intake of added sugars containing fructose (high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose),
low calcium intake, low dairy intake, low level lead or cadmium intoxication

12. Drinking too much alcohol: Over time, heavy drinking can damage the heart. Having
more than one drink a day for women and more than two drinks a day for men may affect
the blood pressure. If somebody is already drinking frequently, do so in moderation. For
healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.

13. Stress: High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. This
means increased heart rate greater than 82 beats per minute. Psychosocial stress is one
example. By trying to relax through eating more, using tobacco or drinking alcohol, one
may only increase problems with their high blood pressure.

14. Certain chronic conditions: Some chronic conditions may increase the risk of high blood
pressure, such as kidney disease, diabetes and sleep apnea. Sometimes pregnancy
contributes to high blood pressure, as well. Although high blood pressure is most
common in adults, children may be at risk, too. For some children, high blood pressure is
caused by problems with the kidneys or heart. But for a growing number of kids, poor
lifestyle habits, such as an unhealthy diet, obesity and lack of exercise, contribute to high
blood pressure.

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Hypertensive Drugs

Today, there are several types of blood pressure medications. Each class lowers blood
pressure in a different way. An example is, Diuretic, which increases urination which reduces
sodium and fluid in the body. This can help lower blood pressure because it lowers blood
volume. Mild hypertension can sometimes be treated using diuretics alone, although they are
more commonly used in combination with other high blood pressure medications (Morelli,
2018).

According to Morelli (2019), based on sales, recent statistics put the angiotensin II
receptor blocker valsartan (Diovan) in the lead for high blood pressure medications, followed by
the beta blocker metoprolol, the generic combination of valsartan and HCTZ, olmesartan
(Benicar), and olmesartan and HCTZ (Benicar HCT).

In terms of prescriptions written, the ACE inhibitor lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) tops the
list for the most used medication, followed by amlodipine besylate (Norvasc), a calcium channel
blocker, and generic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).

Side Effects of Hypertensive Drugs

Diuretics can result in an increase in potassium loss, known as hypokalemia, which, in

turn can affect muscular function -- including the muscles of the heart. There is also an increased
risk for gout with diuretics -- as well as the possibility of weakness, thirst, dehydration, and
increased urination. Changes in blood sugar levels are also possible. Skin reactions, some severe,
are possible with thiazide diuretics (such as hydrochlorothiazide). Potassium-sparing diuretics,
such as spironolactone (Aldactone) may cause breast enlargement in males .

Some high blood pressure medications initially cause drowsiness, dizziness, and
lightheadedness. Some even cause fainting on the first dose. The body usually adjusts to the
effects of these medications and the side effects disappear. Consuming alcohol during the early
phase of antihypertensive treatment could be risky because alcohol can also cause dizziness,
drowsiness, and lightheadedness (Morelli, 2018).

In addition, alcohol consumption causes a transient rise in blood pressure that could
persist if the drinking is beyond the level of "moderation." Some high blood pressure
medications can, in fact, lead to weight gain. Common offenders include older beta blockers
such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). There could be several reasons for this --
including the fact that the medications can make patients feel tired and thus less likely to
exercise. Minoxidil tablets (Loniten) -- used only when other antihypertensive medications have
failed -- can also cause weight gain. Weight gain is also listed as a common side effect of
doxazosin (Cardura). Diuretics are more likely to cause weight loss.

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Alternative Medicine Treatment

For the past years, a lot of research has been conducted into local plants with therapeutic
values for hypertension. The hypotensive and antihypertensive effects of some of these
medicinal plants have been validated and others disproved (Ahmad & Tabassum, 2011).
According to Ahmad and Tabassum (2011), more scientific research needs to be done to
verify the effectiveness and elucidate the safety profile of such herbal remedies. Some of the
following plants have been studied to have therapeutic effect on people who have hypertension:

Alternative Medicine: Herbal Medicine for Hypertension

1. Chili Peppers

For those with high blood pressure, chili peppers might be just what the doctor ordered,
according to a study reported in the August issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication.
While the active ingredient that gives the peppers their heat - a compound known as capsaicin -
might set your mouth on fire, it also leads blood vessels to relax, the research in hypertensive rats
shows.

"We found that long-term dietary consumption of capsaicin, one of the most abundant
components in chili peppers, could reduce blood pressure in genetically hypertensive rats," said
Zhiming Zhu of Third Military Medical University in Chongqing, China.

Those effects depend on the chronic activation of something called the transient receptor
potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel found in the lining of blood vessels. Activation of the
channel leads to an increase in production of nitric oxide, a gaseous molecule known to protect
blood vessels against inflammation and dysfunction, Zhu explained.

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2. Garlic

This pungent seasoning can do more than just flavor your food and ruin your breath. Garlic may
have the ability to lower your blood pressure by helping to increase a substance in the body
known as nitric oxide, which can cause your blood vessels to relax and dilate. This lets blood
flow more freely and reduces blood pressure.

You can add fresh garlic to a number of your favorite recipes. If the flavor is just too strong for
you, roast the garlic first. And if you simply can’t eat the stuff, you can get garlic in supplement
form.

3. Ginger

Ginger may help control blood pressure. In animal studies it has been shown to improve blood
circulation and relax the muscles surrounding blood vessels, lowering blood pressure. Human
studies so far have been inconclusive. Commonly used in Asian foods, ginger is a versatile
ingredient that can also be added to sweets or beverages. Chop, mince, or grate fresh ginger into
stir-fries, soups, and noodle or vegetable dishes, or add it to desserts or tea for a refreshing taste.

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4. Basil

Basil is a delicious herb that goes well in a variety of foods. It also might help lower your blood
pressure. In rodents, basil extract has been shown to lower blood pressure, although only briefly.
The chemical eugenol, which is found in basil, may block certain substances that tighten blood
vessels. This may lead to a drop-in blood pressure. More studies are needed.

Adding fresh basil to your diet is easy and certainly can’t hurt. Keep a small pot of the herb in
your kitchen garden and add the fresh leaves to pastas, soups, salads, and casseroles.

5. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another tasty seasoning that requires little effort to include in your daily diet, and it
may bring your blood pressure numbers down. One study done in rodents suggested that
cinnamon extract lowered both sudden-onset and prolonged high blood pressure. However, the
extract was given intravenously. It’s unclear if cinnamon consumed orally is also effective.

You can include more cinnamon in your diet by sprinkling it on your breakfast cereal, oatmeal,
and even in your coffee. At dinner, cinnamon enhances the flavor of stir-fries, curries, and stews.

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6. Celery seed

Celery seed is an herb used to flavor soups, stews, casseroles, and other savory dishes. Celery
has long been used to treat hypertension in China, and studiesTrusted Source in rodents have
shown that it may be effective. You can use the seeds, or you can juice the whole plant. Celery
may also be a diuretic, which may help explain its effect on blood pressure. ResearchersTrusted
Source believe that a variety of substances in celery may play a role in lowering blood pressure.
However, human studies are needed.

Alternative Medicine Therapies / Programs

1. Calamansi Therapy

It is a common thing in some Filipino cuisines. It is used as a condiment in pansit canton and
arroz caldo. Chicken inasal and inihaw na baboy are not complete without it. The Department of
Agriculture (DA) has identified calamansi as “one of the most important fruit crops grown in the
Philippines.” In terms of area and production, it ranks fourth to banana, mango and pineapple.
Packed with vitamin C and other beneficial nutrients, calamansi juice has been used as an
immune booster for generations. Despite its high levels of citric acid, many people drink it as a
soothing substance for the stomach.

Aside from being a versatile souring ingredient, calamansi is getting popular because of its
health benefits. For one, high blood or hypertension finds its match in calamansi. According to
Dr. Willie Ong, the enemy of high blood is really salt.

2. Three Days of Cleansing and Detox

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Consuming the proper foods and supplements can put your body in a detox state which can have
profound effects, even reversing the effects of hypertension and diabetes. In my clinical practice
it is very common to see blood pressures drop 20-30 systolic points following a detox and dietary
regime.

3. Docayenne Spray

Spray twice inside the mouth as needed. This spray is extracted from 'Siling Labuyo'. An
emergency herbal medicine than can normalize high blood pressure within a few seconds.
Docayenne has also used for variety of ailments including migraine, headache, heartburn,
delirium and others.

4. Splina

Take 1 tbsp to 1 glass of water every day. A powerful cleansing agent, chlorophyll cleanses and
detoxifies the digestive system, the bowels, liver and kidneys, it also purifies the blood so that
the body is ready to repair and rebuild itself.

5. Garlic oil

Drink 3 cups for 3x a day. People with high blood pressure who took garlic supplements daily
for up to five months “saw their blood pressure levels drop significantly. In some cases, the drop
was as much as that seen in patients taking drugs such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors”, the
newspaper says. It goes on to point out that “researchers have yet to establish whether garlic
supplements are as effective as prescribed medicines when used for many years.”

Physical Manipulation

1. Acupuncture

According to Li and Sun (2019), acupuncture is one of the most widely practiced forms of
nonpharmacological treatments. According to up-to-date clinical studies, acupuncture treatment
exerts a good effect in lowering BP, and so its usage has attracted increased attention (Li & Sun,
2019).

2. Bio-zapper

The Bio-Energizing Zapper kills parasites, bacteria and viruses by square wave low audio pulses
which produce electronic spikes as positive polarity pulses.

3. Exercise

Regular physical activity makes your heart stronger. A stronger heart can pump more blood with
less effort. Regular exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight — another important way

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to control blood pressure. But to keep your blood pressure low, you need to keep exercising on a
regular basis.

4. Steam Bath

Research shows that in a steam room, some people’s bodies release hormones that change their
heart rate. One of these hormones, called aldosterone, regulates your blood pressure. When
aldosterone is released from sitting in the steam room, it can help lower high blood pressure.
This is part of the reason that the steam room makes you feel relaxed.

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ADDENDUM

ABSTRACT

I selected Hypertension as my topic since I was diagnosed with essential Hypertension two
years ago, year 2017. During that time, my blood pressure was raised up to 140/90 to 150/90, from
my normal BP of 100/60 to 110/80. I began monitoring my BP for 2 days before I started seeking
for a medical doctor’s advice. Still, my blood pressure was high with 130/90. Because I’m a nurse,
I was afraid of complications like stroke and heart failure if I were not able to manage it properly.
My doctor prescribed me with Clonidine, 75 mg, 2 times daily. My blood chemistry like Uric acid,
Triglycerides, and Cholesterol were also a bit high and above normal so additional drugs like
Simvastatin, taken once a day, was prescribed to me. During the maintenance, I experienced
several side effects from my medication like feeling tired and weak, headache, nervousness, and
sometimes an upset stomach or stomach cramps. It then occurred to my mind if I will forever be
Hypertensive with lifetime drug maintenance. So, I researched about Hypertension and discovered
that it’s not a disease but a disorder. I found out alternative ways on how to manage Hypertension.
I first changed my lifestyle by exercising; through Zumba 2x a week, by eating healthy; reducing
processed food which contains a lot of sodium, cutting back on caffeine, eating more fruits and
vegetables, and by learning how to manage stress. I gradually stopped 2 of my medications and
monitored my blood chemistry and blood pressure for 1 year. After 5-10 months of lifestyle
modification, I have not gone back to my doctor. Everything went back to normal and from there,
I came to appreciate Alternative Medicine/Naturopathy.

MY NATURAL TREATMENT:

FOOD, NUTRITIONS AND MEASURES TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE:

1. BANANA – it is loaded with potassium that maintains fluid and electrolyte imbalance in
the body which helps control blood pressure.
2. LEMON- it helps to lower triglycerides because it makes our blood vessels soft and
flexible.
3. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR – it reduces water retention in our body that helps lower
blood pressure.
4. CUT REFINED AND ADDED SUGAR- refined carbohydrates especially sugar may
raise blood pressure because studies show that low-carb diets may help reduce blood
pressure.
5. REDUCE SODIUM INTAKE- it is because processed food is high in sodium that
contribute to high blood pressures.
6. CUT BACK ON CAFFEINE – it causes an instant boost and spike in blood pressure.
7. EXERCISE (E.G ZUMBA) – regular exercise makes our heart stronger and efficient at
pumping blood which lowers blood pressure in our arteries.

BLOOD CHEMISTRY MONITORING FOR 2019:

DATES 02/06/19 07/03/19 09/05/19

EXAMINATION RESULT NORMAL VALUE

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 FBS 5.23 5.8 5.76 4.11-5.89 mmol/L
BUN 4.46 5.40 2.56 <8.3 mmol/L
CREATININE 55.4 62.0 59.90 M:59-104; 5:45-84mmol/L
URIC ACID 331.6 330.4 320.8 M:202.3-416.5 F:142.8-339.2
CHOLESTEROL 5.01 4.16 4.25 > 5.2 mmol/L
TRIGLYCERIDE 1.56 1.04 1.58 <2.3mmol/L
HDL-CHOLE L 1.65 1.38 1.16 M;.1.45;F:.1.68mmol/L
LDL 2.65 2.31 2.96 0-3.90 mmol/L
Hb1AC 6.2 5.8 5.8 4.0-6.5%

PRESENT BLOOD PRESSURE: 110/70 – 120/70

CONCLUSION:

According to the National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHeS II) conducted in 2008,
hypertension is one of the bigger health problems in the Philippines. There are approximately
one out of four adults suffering from high blood pressure. For the treatment of this condition,
there are countless drugs on the market. Medication can lower blood pressure, it may also cause
side effects such as leg cramps, dizziness and insomnia. Fortunately, most people can bring
down their blood pressure naturally without medication.

Treating hypertension naturally, does not only boost our immune system but also protect
us from a lot of health problems. Natural treatment of high blood pressure includes consumption
of nutritious food such as banana and lemon. In addition, individuals should avoid and reduce
their intake of sugar, sodium and caffeine as all of these contribute to the increase of blood
pressure. It is also important to manage one’s stress like getting plenty of sleep, managing time
and breathing to relax. Lastly, exercise can help lower blood pressure and make our hearts
stronger. This includes doing Zumba, walking, jogging, and bicycling.

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