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High blood pressure damages brain long before old age

latimes.com

21–30 of 70 posts

Re: High blood pressure damages brain long before old age

#21
post #6

This article terrifies me.... About four years ago (when I had just turned 31), I started working at a local startup. It was the typical startup gig with huge hours and even bigger responsibility. Being somewhat dysfunctional, I began living the worst possible life. I was working huge hours, so I decided that it didn't make sense to cook. Consequently, I started eating out at least two meals a day. And, since I was w…

>I took blood pressure medication for awhile and, with my doctor's help, eventually got off of it.

Can you share how exactly you got off the blood pressure medication? I know it is possible with appropriate diet and lifestyle changes - but would love to hear how you did it. Specifically, how high was your blood pressure and what changes made the most difference. I have been on daily medication for over 5 years now, and would love to try a natural drug-free approach to bringing it back to normal.

Re: High blood pressure damages brain long before old age

#22

My body likes to shoot up my blood pressure far off the charts whenever someone tries to measure it. Of course, the pattern only grows stronger from these experiences.

True of everyone, it's called white coat hypertension: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_coat_hypertension After my doctor noticed high-ish blood pressure, I bought a meter and started measuring at home. Always below 120/80, sometimes below 110/75. I brought the same meter to the doctor's office and measured 135/85. Strange, isn't it?

Not true of _everyone_, but definitely true of some (including me). Additionally, white coat hypertension is not entirely benign. From the wikipedia article you link:

"In general, individuals with white coat hypertension have lower morbidity than patients with sustained hypertension, but higher morbidity than the clinically normotensive."

Re: High blood pressure damages brain long before old age

#24

My body likes to shoot up my blood pressure far off the charts whenever someone tries to measure it. Of course, the pattern only grows stronger from these experiences.

Same, but my doctor just samples it a couple times during the visit and it eventually leaves crazytown.

Re: High blood pressure damages brain long before old age

#25
post #6

This article terrifies me.... About four years ago (when I had just turned 31), I started working at a local startup. It was the typical startup gig with huge hours and even bigger responsibility. Being somewhat dysfunctional, I began living the worst possible life. I was working huge hours, so I decided that it didn't make sense to cook. Consequently, I started eating out at least two meals a day. And, since I was w…

>I took blood pressure medication for awhile and, with my doctor's help, eventually got off of it. Can you share how exactly you got off the blood pressure medication? I know it is possible with appropriate diet and lifestyle changes - but would love to hear how you did it. Specifically, how high was your blood pressure and what changes made the most difference. I have been on daily medication for over 5 years now, a…

Check out the articles at lef.org

Re: High blood pressure damages brain long before old age

#27

Has anyone tried garlic to help with blood pressure? It seems there's good evidence for it.

Aged garlic took mine down. I don't have hypertension so I got off of it; my BP returned to my normal. The studies are actually kind of hit and miss, but it worked for me as a normie.

Another one to look at is pomegranate. A friend of mine was having side effects with his BP medicine, and I made the suggestion to try it, LEF brand pills or POM juice. He was able to get off, had same BP as when on meds, without side effects. There are lots of studies to look at on this on at pubmed, essentially a beta-blocker with some other actions.

Lastly, most people are deficient in potassium. Get some potassium glutamate powder to supplement (not pills as they are regulated to be under 100mg). RDA is 5g, and most people are under 2g a day intake. I have taken 500mg worth of potassium, daily in water, for years without issue.

Re: High blood pressure damages brain long before old age

#28
post #17

+1 for exercise and healthy eating. One of the many reasons we pay for our employees gym memberships. If you really want to get in shape and turn your health around, find your local Crossfit (www.crossfit.com) gym and get hooked.

Definitely. 6 days a week, 2 hours a day.

That may be extreme for most people, however ten minutes of calisthenics everyday and eating right can bring people two-thirds of the way there.

Re: High blood pressure damages brain long before old age

#29
Hey guys,

before we post the same link to "The Best Gym for Startups: Crossfit" two dozen times, let's reflect that Crossfit has a number of issues -- completely absent quality control being chief, with poor exercise selection logic being a close second.

Let me put it this way: injuries per kilowatt-hour.

Kettlebell swings, prowler pushes, etc -- good!

High rep Oly lifting, high rep box jumps, kipping pullups -- terrible!

Crossfit does not distinguish between these exercise selection options.

Re: High blood pressure damages brain long before old age

#30

Has anyone tried garlic to help with blood pressure? It seems there's good evidence for it.

I haven't tried garlic, however I have had very good results supplementing with Magnesium (I use the Citrate form). New research has verified the efficacy of Mg as well, see http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120313230354.ht..., for example. It also has a positive effect on testosterone!
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