Natural remedies (supplements) for HBP?

Jitterygal · 06-20-2005, 02:04 PM

I suffer from mild hypertension, I think due to Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I take Paxil 20 mg for that, but I still have to take Lisinopril 10 mg for hypertension. I hate taking medicine, though. I am doing really well with my anxiety and hope to be weaning off of it soon. My question is are there any supplements I may be able to take instead of Rx? Of course I wouldn't do both at the same time. Thank you!!

mgraylorn · 06-20-2005, 04:09 PM

No suppliments proven to work. There are lifestyle changes that could make a difference. If you are overweight, lose those extra pounds. Exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and cut out processed food with lots of fat and salt. Restrict salt intake. And for some people like me, eliminating caffiene reduced my bp by 10 points systolic and dystolic both. The exercise would probably help with the anxiety too.

And if you don't have a home blood pressure monitor, get one. Take and record your resting bp numbers. Your home numbers are likely to be lower than those in the doctor's office and a better indicator of your actual resting blood pressure.

Jitterygal · 06-20-2005, 04:55 PM

Here's the frustrating part...I have taught aerobics for 20 years and have run 2 marathons. I also drink only one cup of coffee a day and don't get any other sources of caffeine. I watch my diet by not eating salty or fried foods. I guess I'm stuck with the meds--it runs in my family, but I'm only 39 and that seems really young to be going through this. Thanks for your advice anyway!!
Jitterygal

mgraylorn · 06-20-2005, 05:22 PM

Try getting rid of the coffee. I drank one cup of tea with breakfast and found that it raised my blood pressure by the 10 points. Try going without coffee for a few days and see if that makes a difference. If it doesn't then go back to drinking it with confidence. One other thing, if you are on an estrogen birth control, or taking over the counter meds for congestion, allergy or pain, they can also raise blood pressure. Also some exercise suppliments can raise bp.

I too have a family history of hypertension. I was diagnosed at 46. I fear family history probably outweighs any other consideration.

Lenin · 06-20-2005, 05:54 PM

Jitterygal,

A supplement PROVEN to work is something called LESS SALT. It's cheap and easy (well, POSSIBLE); you just cut your salt intake in half!

Seriously though, some of the herbal diurtics DO work but they all cost a great deal more than the generic pharmaceuticals which work a lot better.

Other than that, the health food store won't be of much help.