Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure is one of the most common cardiovascular issues present in North America. A normal blood pressure reading in adults is 120 (systolic) / 80 (diastolic), and though this is the normal reading for a healthy adult, it is good to know that blood pressure can also change with age, often times a raise or change in blood pressure is common in individuals who are over 50. Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for heart attach or stroke with many dietary and lifestyle factors linked to this chronic cardiovascular disease. Yet there is more to high blood pressure than meets the eye, it can be a far more complicated situation than simply being caused by lifestyle or dietary choices. Blood pressure is determined by mechanical movements in the body (cardiovascular, renal, circulatory), hormones, and environmental factors.
 
Please note that despite herbal medicine having many options for individuals with hypertension, severe hypertension (160+/115+) is considered a situation that requires immediate medical attention. In cases such as this a prescription medication may be necessary to achieve initial control. After which natural protocols can be implemented with the guidance of an appropriate practitioner.

In more than 95% of cases, a specific underlying cause of hypertension cannot be found, and many factors can contribute to its development.  Factors such as kidney disfunction, issues with peripheral resistance vessel tone, endothelial dysfunction, and neurohumoral factors can all be less common causes. Besides these, there are also important environmental factors such as high salt intake, a heavy consumption of alcohol etc., the list below identifies the most common causes of hypertension.

• Obesity
• High sodium-to-potassium ratio diet
• High sugar, low fiber diet
• Diet high in saturated fats and low in essential fatty acids
• Diet low in calcium and magnesium
• Diet low in vitamin C
• Low potassium intake
• Stress
• Sleep apnea (untreated, un-monitored)
• Overt increase in estrogen (this can happen with certain prescription medications, environmental exposures, or pregnancy)
• Certain prescription and non-prescription drugs (NSAIDS)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Various metabolic diseases
• Primary aldosteronism
• Renovascular disease
• Long term corticosteroid therapy
• Cushing syndrome
• Thyroid disease
• Parathyroid disease
• Pregnancy
• Genetics

​Hypertension is predominantly asymptomatic, meaning it has no symptoms. Generally, an individual does not know they have high blood pressure until they are seen by their practitioner for a check up or an issue occurs. A blood pressure check taken yearly is advisable in adults. Though hypertension often has no symptoms, the most common are as follows:

• Severe Headache
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Vision problems/change in vision
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in urine

Sensation of pounding or pulsing in your chest, neck, or ears

It is estimated that nearly 1 in 5 Canadians (4.6 million) have some form of hypertension, and over 103 million Americans suffer from the same malady. Untreated and un-diagnosed hypertension can lead to many different systemic complications. As pressure rises in arteries, these issues can branch out to cause systemic failures throughout the body. Some of the more common but serious   complications are as follows:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Kidney disease
• Kidney damage
• Ventricular arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Heart failure
• Dementia
• Change in vision/loss of sight/retinal damage
• Atherosclerosis
• Ventricle damage to the heart/Aortic insufficiency

​Thankfully there are many herbs, supplements, and lifestyle modifications that can be implemented to safely and reliably help with hypertension. If you are on medications please speak to your medical doctor so that dosage and blood pressure can be monitored as you make improvements.

• Garlic (Allium sativa) – Though this herb is excellent as a culinary herb, in therapeutic doses it is specific for hypertension. Some of its pertinent actions include its ability to lower cholesterol and blood sugar, and to help lower blood pressure. It is also a good detoxifier and is highly anti-inflammatory. It also is used traditionally to help lower the danger of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, and to protect from heart disease and age-related vascular changes. Lastly, it helps to promote blood flow in arterial vascular disease.

 

• Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) – Another culinary herb made powerful in therapeutic doses. Cayenne is considered to be a general cardiovascular tonic, an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hemostatic. It helps to stimulate proper circulation all the way from the arteries to the capillaries. Traditionally it is used to help regulate blood pressure, reduce platelet aggregation, and is used specifically in cases of poor circulation, varicose veins, issues with various types of hemorrhages, and atherosclerosis.

 
 

• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna/oxycantha) – This beautiful tree has so many offerings in regard to traditional herbal medicine. You can use the berries, flowers, or leaves. It is considered specific in helping to regulate blood pressure. Some of its actions include its ability to be a central nervous system sedative, relaxant, adaptogenic, cardio-restorative, cardio-protective, coronary and peripheral vasodilator, anti-arrhythmic, and cholesterol and mineral solvent plus diuretic. Regarding hypertension, it is used traditionally to help improve circulation and lower blood pressure. It is considered specific in cases of tachycardia and palpitations as it acts upon the electrical S node of the heart and helps to regulate and improve heart function without having the heart work harder. It is specific in angina, and valve diseases and insufficiencies, and heart disease.

 

• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) – Event the scientific name has the word cardiac in it, a very telling sign as to the traditional purpose of this herb. It is considered to be a nervous system sedative and tonic, and to also have cardiotonic and cardio sedative properties. It is also considered in cases of various cardiac arrhythmias and is also diuretic and anti-spasmodic. It is one of the most commonly used cardiac tonics and is excellent when stress is a main component in high blood pressure or if high blood pressure is due to hyperthyroidism.