Do Vitamin Mineral Supplements such as Potassium, Calcium or Magnesium Help Lower Blood Pressure?

So far, research has shown that potassium does lower blood pressure. Studies have not indicated that calcium and magnesium supplements prevent high blood pressure. Here's the latest:

Potassium helps to prevent and control high blood pressure. Be sure to get enough potassium in the foods you eat. Some good sources are various fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, and fish. Foods High in Potassium Food Apricots, dried Avocados, raw Bananas, raw Beets, cooked Brussel sprouts, cooked Cantaloupe Dates, dry Figs, dry Kiwi fruit, raw Lima beans Melons, honeydew Milk, fat free or skim Nectarines Orange juice Oranges Pears (fresh) Peanuts dry roasted, without salt Potatoes, baked, flesh and skin Serving Size 10 halves 1 ounce 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 5 dates 2 figs 1 medium 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 1 nectarine 1 cup 1 orange 1 pear 1 ounce 1 potato Potassium (mg) 407 180 594 519 504 494 271 271 252 955 461 407 288 496 237 208 187 1081

Prune juice Prunes, dried Raisins Spinach, cooked Tomato products, canned, sauce Winter squash Yogurt plain, skim milk

1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 8 ounces

707 828 1089 839 909 896 579

Values were obtained from the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard References, Release 15 for Potassium, K (mg) content of selected foods per common measure. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR15/wtrank/wt_rank.html Calcium and Magnesium. These nutrients have not been consistently shown to prevent high blood pressure, but are important nutrients for overall good health. Good sources of calcium are dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. Be sure to choose skim or lowfat varieties. Lowfat and nonfat dairy products have more calcium than the high fat versions. Foods High in Calcium Food Broccoli, raw Cheese, cheddar Milk, fat free or skim Perch Salmon Sardine Spinach, cooked Turnip greens, cooked Tofu, soft Yogurt plain, skim milk Serving Size 1 cup 1 oz 1 cup 3 oz 3 oz 3 oz 1 cup 1 cup 1 piece 8 oz container Calcium (mg) 42 204 301 116 181 325 245 197 133 452

Values were obtained from the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard

References, Release 15 for Calcium, Ca (mg) content of selected foods per common measure. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR15/wtrank/wt_rank.html You should get enough magnesium if you follow a healthy diet. Magnesium is found in whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and dry peas and beans Foods High in Magnesium Food Beans, black Broccoli, raw Halibut Nuts, peanuts Okra, frozen Oysters Plantain, raw Rockfish Scallop Seeds, pumpkin and squash Soy milk Spinach, cooked Tofu Whole grain cereal, ready-to-eat Whole grain cereal, cooked Whole wheat bread Serving Size 1 cup 1 cup fillet 1 oz 1 cup 3 oz 1 medium 1 fillet 6 large 1 oz (142 seeds) 1 cup 1 cup block cup 1 cup 1 slice Magnesium (mg) 120 22 170 64 94 49 66 51 55 151 47 157 37 24 56 24

Values were obtained from the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard References, Release 15 for Magnesium, Mg (mg) content of selected foods per common measure. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR15/wtrank/wt_rank.html

Treatment of High Blood Pressure

It is important to take steps to keep your blood pressure under control. The treatment goal is blood pressure below 140/90 and lower for people with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is an effective first step in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure. If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in keeping your pressure controlled, it may be necessary to add blood pressure medications. In this section you will learn about blood pressure-lowering lifestyle habits and blood pressure medications.

Lifestyle
These links go to the Prevention section of this site. Following a Healthy Eating Pattern Reducing Salt and Sodium in Your Diet Maintaining a Healthy Weight Being Physically Active Limiting Alcohol Intake Quitting Smoking Other Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

Medications
Types of Blood Pressure Medications Search for Information on a Drug (This link opens a second browser window. Simply close that window to return to this page.) Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Medicine Questions to Ask Your Doctor If You Have High Blood Pressure Test Your Medication IQ

Does Stress Cause High Blood Pressure?

Stress can make blood pressure go up for a while, and it has been thought to contribute to high blood pressure. But the long-term effects of stress are as yet unclear. Stress management techniques do not seem to prevent high blood pressure. However, such

techniques may have other benefits, such as making you feel better or helping you to control over-eating.

Physical Activity
Being physically active is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent or control high blood pressure. It also helps reduce your risk of heart disease. It doesn't take a lot of effort to become physically active.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Being overweight increases your risk of developing high blood pressure. In fact, blood pressure rises as body weight increases. Losing even 10 pounds can lower blood pressure and it has the greatest effect for those who are overweight and already have hypertension. Being overweight or obese are also risk factors for heart disease. They increase your chance for developing high blood cholesterol and diabetes two more major risk factors for heart disease.

Am I overweight?
Two key measures are used to determine if someone is overweight. These are the body mass index, or BMI, and waist circumference. BMI relates weight to height. It gives an approximation of total body fat and that's what increases the risk of obesity-related diseases. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 to 29.9; obesity is defined as a BMI equal to or more than 30. Calculate your body mass index (BMI) But BMI may overestimate body fat or inaccurately estimate total body fat in muscular persons or those losing muscle. For example, older persons often have lost muscle mass

and, so, have more fat for a given BMI than younger persons do. That's why waist measurement is often checked as well. Another reason is that too much body fat in the stomach area also increases disease risk. A waist measurement of more than 35 inches in women and more than 40 inches in men is considered high.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications

Here's a rundown on the main types of drugs and how they work. Often, two or more drugs work better than one. For more information, select the type of medication from the list below: Diuretics Beta-blockers ACE inhibitors Angiotensin antagonists Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) Alpha-blockers Alpha-beta-blockers Nervous system inhibitors Vasodilators Back to Treatment

Diuretics
Diuretics are sometimes called "water pills" because they work in the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body. back to top

Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. Blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard. back to top

ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow. The ACE inhibitors cause the vessels to relax and blood pressure goes down. back to top

Angiotensin antagonists
Angiotensin antagonists shield blood vessels from angiotensin II. As a result, the vessels become wider and blood pressure goes down. back to top

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)

CCBs keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax and pressure goes down. back to top

Alpha-blockers
Alpha-blockers reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, which allows blood to pass more easily, causing the blood pressure to go down. back to top

Alpha-beta-blockers
Alpha-beta-blockers work the same way as alpha-blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta-blockers do. As a result, less blood is pumped through the vessels and the blood pressure goes down. back to top

Nervous system inhibitors

Nervous system inhibitors relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses. This causes the blood vessels to become wider and the blood pressure to go down. back to top

Vasodilators
Vasodilators directly open blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls, causing the blood pressure to go down. Strong123