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Cardiac Rehabilitation: Blood Pressure, Hypertension Mgmt w/ Neutraceuticals, Lifestyle
“When used in combination with other nutrients and nutraceutical supplements, though, the anti-hypertension effect can be magnified…”
The first rule of cardiac rehabilitation for chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy (CIC) is to manage your blood pressure. I have never had chronic hypertension. The one time my BP entered the danger zone (above 80/120-see below), I doubled by anti-hypertension efforts discussed below.
Nutriceuticals such as
- curcumin,
- magnesium,
- resveratrol, other (see below)
and nutritional/lifestyle therapies such as
- no salt
- fruits and veggies
- wholebody hyperthermia,
all pursued to keep my blood pressure as low as possible.
A little background.
I was diagnosed with a blood cancer called multiple myeloma in early 1994. I underwent the standard-of-care therapies from diagnosis until I was told “there is nothing more we can do for you” in September of 1997.
I began a non-conventional, non-FDA approved therapy in 11/97, completed this therapy by 4/99, reached complete remission where I have remained since.
When I walked out of University Hospitals of Cleveland post autologous stem cell transplant at the end of 1995, you would have thought I was a perfectly health 36 year old man. And you would be wrong…
Over the years I developed long-term and late stage side effects such as nerve damage, brain damage, serious risk of treatment related cancers and chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy CIC).
My cardiomyopathy is where my blood pressure comes into play.
I developed a serious dislike of conventional, toxic therapies during my conventional cancer therapy. You would understand if you saw me in the flesh. So I’ve learned to manage my cardiomyopathy with non-toxic therapies. The articles linked and excerpted below list many of the therapies I take to manage my cardiomyopathy and blood pressure.
When I first developed chronic atrial fibrillation (A-FIB), the cardiologist prescribed metoprolol. The first night on metoprolol I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t catch my breath. No conventional therapies for me…
That diagnosis was in 12/2010. I have maintained my blood pressure, 120/80 +-, without the use of any toxic medications. None, zero, zilch.
I continue to live with CIC. I continue to watch my blood pressure. I continue to live with chronic A-Fib. As far as I’m concerned, my non-toxic BP and CIC therapies are working. I am writing this post in late 2020.
Do you have chemotherapy-induced heart damage of any kind? Do you have high blood pressure? Scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will respond to you ASAP.
To Learn More about Chemotherapy-induced Hypertension- click now
Thanks very much for your time.
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Recommended Reading:
- Multiple Myeloma Therapy- Omega-3 Fatty Acids- Heart, Brain, Blood
- Can Heart Failure, Atrial Fibrillation Patients Have Sex?
- Chemobrain Coping- Multiple Myeloma Survivor’s list of 8 after 25 years-
Everything you need to know about hypertension
“Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. It can lead to severe health complications and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and sometimes death.
Blood pressure is the force that a person’s blood exerts against the walls of their blood vessels. This pressure depends on the resistance of the blood vessels and how hard the heart has to work…
Hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and aneurysm. Keeping blood pressure under control is vital for preserving health and reducing the risk of these dangerous conditions…”
Hypertension: Is It Time to Replace Drugs With Nutrition and Nutraceuticals?
““People’s eyes have been opened,” he said. There has been some amazement at how much science is in the literature to back up such strategies, he added, and surprise about the extent to which hypertension patients are clamoring to know more about ways to avoid or reduce the polypharmacy offered by conventional practitioners…
Functional medicine practitioners, aware of the increase in complex, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer, mental illness, and autoimmune disorders, focus on identifying the underlying causes of disease and look for interactions between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. They seek to promote health and vitality by integrating conventional practices with prevention through combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification, exercise, and stress management rather than emphasizing acute symptom relief, urgent care, and elimination of illness and disease…
Many natural compounds in food, as well as certain nutraceutical supplements, vitamins, antioxidants, or minerals, can mimic drugs, functioning in a similar fashion to a specific class of antihypertensive medications (Table 1).
However, they may be less potent and take longer to work than the antihypertensive drug. When used in combination with other nutrients and nutraceutical supplements, though, the antihypertensive effect can be magnified. Among the most useful compounds:
-
Diuretics: Vitamin B6, taurine, and magnesium are quite inexpensive and work well together.
-
Central alpha agonists: Among the best are taurine and vitamin B6, followed by potassium.
-
Direct vasodilators: Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) are quite good. Dr. Houston has found studies refuting the value of omega-3s to be deeply flawed.
-
CCBs: Among those with optimal activity are alpha-lipoic acid, magnesium, and omega-3s (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid).
-
ACEIs: Among the best natural compounds that have been studied is dried bonito fish, part of the tuna/mackerel family. Pycnogenol, omega-3s, and hydrolyzed whey protein (which can also help with glutathione levels) are also effective…
Combination Therapy-
Nutrients can be added to each other or to drugs to achieve additive or even synergistic benefits, not just on blood pressure but on vascular health and endothelial dysfunction. For example, sesame can be taken with beta blockers; diuretics with nifedipine; pycnogenol or R-lipoic acid with ACEIs; lycopene with various antihypertensive agents; vitamin C with a CCB; N-acetylcysteine with arginine. Other productive combinations include garlic with ACEIs, diuretics, or CCBs, and melatonin with an ARB…
Five Supplements Proven to Lower Blood Pressure
“Blood pressure medications account for hundreds of millions of prescriptions yearly. They play a significant role in the fight against heart disease. But two popular blood pressure drugs have come under fire recently. Valsartan and losartan have been recalled due to carcinogenic contaminants…
A simple internet search can reveal hundreds of “at-home” and “natural” blood pressure treatments. But do any of them work? Can they decrease exposure to potentially harmful blood pressure drugs?
Beetroot Juice
According to a meta-analysis (a study of studies), beetroot juice can lower blood pressure. Subjects who consumed beetroot juice experienced blood pressure drops of approximately 4.4 mm Hg. These study participants took daily doses of beetroot juice between 300 and 2,800 mg.
Doctors believe one specific component of beetroot juice may be responsible for its effect on blood pressure. Beetroot juice contains large amounts of the molecule NO3-. In the body, NO3- can be metabolized, eventually releasing functional nitrogen. This nitrogen can relax blood vessels.
| Understanding Blood Pressure
Doctors assess blood pressure with two measurements: systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). Blood pressure measurements can be categorized as follows: |
|
| Normal | DBP < 80 mm Hg SBP < 120 mm Hg |
| Elevated | DBP < 80 mm Hg SBP between 120 and 129 mm Hg |
| High (Stage 1 Hypertension) |
DBP between 80 and 89 mm Hg SBP between 130 and 139 mm Hg |
| High (Stage 2 Hypertension) |
DBP > 90 mm Hg SBP > 140 mm Hg |
Magnesium
Magnesium supplements are often recommended as a sleep aid. But they can also affect blood pressure. According to several studies, magnesium can reduce systolic blood pressure by 3 to 4 mm Hg. It can also reduce diastolic blood pressure by 2.5 mm Hg.
Researchers say taking between 500 and 1000 mg of magnesium per day is optimal.
If a physician recommends taking magnesium, experts endorse a special type: chelated magnesium. This form of magnesium allows superior absorption and decreases the incidence of side effects like diarrhea.
Note: Experts say patients with kidney problems (severe renal insufficiency) should NOT take magnesium supplements.
Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol)
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant found in fish and raw red meat. Data shows CoQ10 can reduce SBP by 11 mm Hg. It can also reduce DBP by 7 mm Hg. Researchers measured these effects in people taking more than 100 mg of CoQ10 daily for 4 weeks or more.
Scientists ascribe CoQ10’s effects on blood pressure to a number of its properties, chiefly its status as an antioxidant.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a substance found in grapes. Its health benefits have been in the spotlight for years. But many people may be unaware of its powerful effects on blood pressure.
According to studies, resveratrol supplementation can reduce SBP by almost 12 mm Hg. This effect was only seen in patients taking higher doses, more than 150 mg of resveratrol per day.
Researchers attribute resveratrol’s effects to multiple properties, many of which affect components of blood pressure and heart disease.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a natural hormone the body uses to regulate the sleep cycle. It has been a popular sleep aid for decades, but data shows it can also affect blood pressure.
Melatonin supplementation has been shown to reduce nighttime SBP by 6.1 mm Hg. It also reduced nighttime DBP by 3.5 mm Hg. Patients who experienced these effects took 2-5 mg melatonin daily for 7 to 90 days.
Researchers believe melatonin protects blood vessels from certain types of damage. It may also increase production of natural blood vessel relaxants.”