Hypertension Safely lower blood pressure without medication?

Lower high blood pressure: what options are available

About every third German suffers from high blood pressure or hypertension, as the silent suffering of doctors is called. Many do not know anything about their condition, because high blood pressure is usually only noticeable with high values. This is treacherous because the sequelae can be severe and fatal. Although blood pressure can be lowered in many cases by a healthier lifestyle, the disease is often treated with medication. Some of them have significantly more side effects than others, researchers report.

Risk factor for dangerous cardiovascular diseases

Especially in the Western world, hypertension is considered a widespread disease. In this country, according to the German High Pressure League (DHL) about 20 to 30 million people are affected. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for dangerous cardiovascular disease. To lower blood pressure, it is often enough to eat healthier and exercise more. But in some patients hypertension needs to be treated with medication. However, some medicines have severe side effects. Researchers from Switzerland now report more compatible alternatives.

Many people suffer from hypertension and know nothing about it themselves. High blood pressure can lead to serious illnesses and even cause the death of the patient. Physicians therefore recommend regular blood pressure tests to prevent unnecessary deaths. (Image: Photographee.eu/fotolia.com)

New blood pressure values

Hypertension is defined by a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg.

Meanwhile, however, the voices are growing, suggesting that 120 instead of 140 should be the new blood pressure target.

US medical societies have lowered the blood pressure guidelines a few months ago (now 130/80 mmHg). Since then, there have been up to 40 percent more than hypertensive patients.

More and more patients are getting medication

In addition to overweight or obesity, too little exercise, an unhealthy, too salty diet, tobacco and increased alcohol consumption and stress are considered as risk factors.

If hypertension is diagnosed, drugs are often used.

"In the meantime, the proportion of hypertensive patients treated with antihypertensive agents has risen to around 75 percent," explained Professor Dr. med. Bernhard Krämer, chairman of DHL, in an older press release.

In many cases, ACE inhibitors are prescribed as an antihypertensive. However, these medications are associated with side effects: Frequent chronic dry cough causes patients to discontinue therapy often.

In very rare cases, it can even lead to acute life-threatening asphyxia, a so-called angio-edema. However, according to experts, there is an alternative and safer drug class.

This is shown in a comparative study published by the University Hospital of Cardiology at the Inselspital Bern (Switzerland) in the journal "Journal of the American College of Cardiology" (JACC).

Less serious side effects

As stated in a communication, the research group led by Prof. Dr. med. med. Franz Messerli and Prof. Dr. med. med. Stefano Rimoldi the antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in people without cardiovascular disease as well as those with diseases of the coronary arteries, heart failure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

The side effects of the respective patient group were also examined retrospectively. In total, they included data from 254,301 patients in the study.

The comparison showed that ARBs in all patient groups had a similar good or even better antihypertensive effect as ACE inhibitors.

Both agents reduced the risk of death, heart attack, heart failure, stroke or kidney failure equally well - especially for other risk factors such as heart disease or diabetes.

There were significantly fewer side effects with ARBs. There were significantly fewer life-threatening asphyxia. The dry cough was gone.

In part, the medication even relieved headaches and other ailments caused by high blood pressure.

With between 30 and 40 million people receiving ACE inhibitors worldwide today, the extremely rare side effect of angio-edema could statistically cause several hundred deaths a year.

Under these conditions and based on the comparative data available, ARBs would have to become a better choice for high blood pressure, according to the Swiss scientists.

Lower blood pressure naturally

However, not every patient has to resort to medicines anyway, because in many cases hypertension can be reduced even without medication.

In addition to weight loss, regular exercise and quitting smoking, a balanced, healthy diet can help reduce blood pressure.

Very important here is: salt only in moderation. A high salt diet can increase blood pressure. Not more than four to six grams of salt should be consumed per day.

It should be noted that also in most finished products often large amounts of salt are included.

The diet should generally contain a lot of fruits and vegetables. Especially recommended are garlic, beetroot juices and hawthorn.

Also recommended is Mediterranean fare with olive oil and vegetables, as British researchers could show.

According to scientific research, hot chillies and natural yoghurt can also reduce high blood pressure.

A magnesium supplement also helps in many cases. Alcohol should be avoided as much as possible.

In addition, stress relief exercises such as yoga or autogenic training can be very effective and have a positive effect on high blood pressure levels.

Some home remedies for hypertension such as Kneipp's applications can provide good support. (Ad)