Medication can help lower blood pressure, but what about the side effects? About a third of adults in America have high blood pressure. Left untreated, however, it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.
Medications help lower blood pressure by forcing the heart to beat slower and with less force (beta blockers), relaxing blood vessels (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers), or by decreasing the fluid inside blood vessels (thiazide diuretics).
A wide variety of medications have mood disorders as potential side effects. A recent study showed that long-term use of blood pressure medication can lead to depression and bipolar disease. Thiazide diuretics were less likely to be implicated.
Comments: Here are some non-drug ways ways to help lower blood pressure:
- Intranasal Light Therapy (click here; use twice daily for 20 minutes): http://www.mediclights.com/natural-high-blood-pressure-remedy/
- RESPeRATE device (click here; use 15 minutes per day, 4 days per week): http://www.nature.com/jhh/journal/v24/n12/full/jhh201018a.html
- Nattokinase (click here; one twice daily with food): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18971533
- Hydration: Chronic low-level dehydration is a major contributor to high blood pressure. Therapeutic oral hydration is recommended. Hydrate one-half of your body weight in ounces daily, (e.g., 100 oz of water daily for a 200 lb person).
- Stimulants (i.e., caffeine): http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058543. Abstain from all caffeinated beverages (i.e., teas, sodas, coffee).
Note: The above recommendations should only be undertaken under a doctor’s supervision.
