Relaxed arteries are happy arteries with good endothelial function. A completely normal blood pressure is considered to be <120/80. As blood pressure rises above this, the risk of plaque rupture begins to increase. Since 2003, research has shown that:
- By the time systolic blood pressure rises to 140, or diastolic blood pressure rises to 90, you are 3.5X more likely to suffer a heart attack in the next 10 years.
- With every 20/10 rise in blood pressure above 115/75, your risk of cardiovascular death doubles. Someone with a blood pressure of 155/95 has a four-fold increased risk of death than someone with a normal blood pressure!
- Diabetics who lower their systolic blood pressure from 140 to 120 reduce their stroke risk by 40%.
Clearly lower arterial tension is better. The only two areas of caution are in patients with severe, obstructing coronary artery disease, and in those with diabetic kidney disease. In those populations, pressure should not be lowered below 120/70.
Treatment Options
Prescription medicine will certainly lower blood pressure.
Aerobic exercise is very effective. A minimum is 30 minutes 3 times weekly. Ideal is about 150 minutes per week (i.e. 30 minutes 5x weekly).
In addition to salt, foods with high saturated fat and glycemic index will raise blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables can lower it.
There are many root conditions that raise your blood pressure. Treating these root causes will lower blood pressure. Examples are oral inflammation/high risk bacteria, sleep apnea, insulin resistance, and smoking. Medications may not work well until these root causes are adequately treated.
Many OTC remedies can help lower your BP 2-6 points, although there is no single magic bullet:
- Dark chocolate- one small square of >72% cocoa daily
- Hibiscus tea- 3 cups daily
- Beet juice- one cup daily
- Fish based omega 3 consumption or supplement
