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Complementary Blood Pressure Therapies
Complementary blood pressure therapies are the solution to the problem discussed below. In short, conventional heart medications all have side effects such as difficulty achieving an erection, weight gain, fatigue, cost money- basically are a pain-in-the-ass.
Complementary blood pressure therapies are inexpensive, have few if any side effects and may even make the person feel better.
My cardiologist confirmed the cardiomyopathy, afib and hypertension. He prescribed metoprolol. Within 24 hours of taking my first dose of metoprolol I experienced fatigue and difficulty breathing. I felt awful.
I stopped taking metoprolol and began taking complementary BP therapies such as
man hand holding his nutritional supplemets, healthy lifestyle background.
- omega-3 fatty acids
- magnesium
- vitamin D
- moderate, daily exercise
- CoQ10
- acetyl-l-carnitine
- cocoa powder
and other complementary blood pressure therapies.
What are the names of conventional hypertension medications?
There are several classes of medications commonly used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It’s important to note that the choice of medication depends on individual factors such as the patient’s overall health, the presence of other medical conditions, and potential side effects. Here are some common classes of antihypertensive medications:
- Thiazide Diuretics:
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Chlorthalidone
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors:
- Enalapril
- Lisinopril
- Ramipril
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs):
- Losartan
- Valsartan
- Irbesartan
- Calcium Channel Blockers:
- Amlodipine
- Diltiazem
- Verapamil
- Beta-Blockers:
- Atenolol
- Metoprolol
- Propranolol
- Alpha-Blockers:
- Doxazosin
- Prazosin
- Terazosin
- Central Alpha Agonists:
- Clonidine
- Methyldopa
- Direct Renin Inhibitors:
- Aliskiren
- Combination Medications:
- Some medications combine two different classes of antihypertensive drugs to improve efficacy or reduce side effects. For example, medications containing both an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic, or a calcium channel blocker and an ACE inhibitor.
Let me be clear. I am not advocating that people who are currently taking conventional hypertension medications such as metoprolol stop taking them. I am however, saying that taking a complementary approach to your heart health may be healthier for you, help you feel better and save you money.
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
More Than Half of Younger Patients Skip or Quit Blood Pressure Meds
“High blood pressure can be a killer. But a new study finds that more than half of younger patients — those under 65 — who are prescribed high blood pressure meds either stop taking them within a few months or don’t take them as prescribed.
But stopping treatment can prove dangerous, even for the relatively young, the study’s lead author warned.
“Blood flow is a physical action. Your vessels are being slammed by waves of blood every time your heart pumps,” explained Gabriel Tajeu. He’s assistant professor of health services administration and policy at Temple University in Philadelphia…
About 100 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure, and the number is rising.
In the new study, Tajeu’s group tracked the rate of prescription refills for blood pressure medications issued to more than 370,000 patients younger than 65. All of the patients had private insurance.
The researchers found that 23.5% of the patients stopped taking the drugs within the first nine months. And of those who kept using the medications, 40% had “low adherence” — taking the prescribed amount less than 80% of the time.
Overall, more than half (54%) of the patients either did not take their medications as prescribed or stopped using them, according to the study published recently in the journal Hypertension.
The investigators also found that patients with 90-day prescriptions and mail-order prescriptions were more likely to keep taking their high blood pressure medications and to take them as prescribed.
Why do young patients forgo medications that might help extend their lives? According to Tajeu, it’s because high blood pressure is a “silent” killer.
“Hypertension is largely an asymptomatic disease,” he said, and “you don’t necessarily feel better when you take your antihypertensive medication. In some cases, you feel worse…”
Also, “for younger populations, there’s literature that suggests they don’t want to admit they have a chronic disease that they have to manage for the rest of their lives,” Tajeu said…
“Untreated, high blood pressure will lead to heart attacks and strokes,” said Dr. Satjit Bhusri, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “It is very important to be proactive, preventive and adherent to medications, as prescribed,” he explained…”
High Blood Pressure: Complementary Treatments
“It’s no secret that exercise and a healthy diet are among the key ways to lower your blood pressure. But maybe you want to do more than that, and you’re thinking about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Turns out, you have good reason to.
In recent years, more and more studies show that some CAM treatments can lower your blood pressure. They’re most helpful when used along with traditional medicine…
Qi gong. This method, based on traditional Chinese medicine, combines slow movement, breathing, and meditation. It doesn’t work as well at lowering your blood pressure as drugs or other types of physical activity, but it can still be helpful…
Slow breathing exercises. When you take slow, controlled breaths, you send calming signals to your nervous system, which can help with high blood pressure.
Meditation. Transcendental meditation (TM), where you sit quietly and repeat a given phrase to yourself, can have a modest effect on lowering blood pressure. Other types of meditation may help, too, but most of the research has focused on TM.
Tai chi. It’s a slow, gentle form of exercise that comes from traditional Chinese medicine. Recent studies show that it could work as well as some high blood pressure meds or more intense exercise…
Yoga. It can be helpful for high blood pressure. Check with your doctor before you start. If you already have high blood pressure, you’re pregnant, or you have conditions like glaucoma and sciatica, you may want to avoid or change certain poses.
Hypnosis. Some therapists use hypnosis, also called hypnotherapy, to help people manage stress and anxiety. When you get hypnosis, you tend to be calmer and more relaxed…
Biofeedback
You can get biofeedback treatment for a range of issues, from pain to high blood pressure. It usually involves getting sensors connected to your body. These sensors give you information to help you make small changes, like relaxing your muscles, to help improve certain health conditions.
Acupuncture
Evidence for acupuncture has been mixed. Some studies show it works, but others don’t.
Supplements and Herbs
More research is needed to figure out the benefits of supplements to manage high blood pressure. It’s always best to make changes to what you eat rather than rely on dietary supplements that are in the form of pills. For instance, you may want to add fatty fish to your diet, such as salmon or tuna, which are high in omega-3s.