Natural Health Alternative Blog

I recently received a communication from a customer who had purchased my high blood pressure treatment and was also interested in treatment for depression.  In his communication he joked that he didn’t know if he was depressed because of his high blood pressure or if he had high blood pressure because he was depressed.

Several studies have shown, however, this is not a joke and the two can be linked.  There are studies covering both depression as the primary condition with high blood pressure as the side effect and the reverse.  

First let’s start with the link between depression and high blood pressure.  Studies have shown that people who suffer from long-term depression or anxiety disorders have been two to three times as likely to develop high blood pressure.

This finding isn’t that surprising when one considers that often times, a person who is suffering from depression or anxiety is more likely to drink, smoke or over eat.  Additionally, these same studies have shown that depression sufferers are more likely to be inconsistent in treatment of the high blood pressure than those who don’t suffer from depression.

What was surprising was that even those in the study who did not drink to excess, smoke or weren’t obese were also suffering from high blood pressure.  What isn’t known is exactly why. 

Many believe there are hormonal changes in a person suffering from long term depression or anxiety that increase high blood pressure, putting the otherwise healthy person at a higher risk for stroke or heart attack. 

Evidence has also shown that many anti-depressant medicines actually raise blood pressure slightly, but long term nonetheless. 

So in short, there does appear to be a direct link between depression and high blood pressure although attributing a single reason would be difficult.

Now let’s consider the reverse; a link between high blood pressure and depression. 

While studies have shown that there is a link between high blood pressure and depression, the results indicate that this is largely due to the side effects of the hypertensive treatment drugs themselves – depression, bloating, dizziness and dry mouth.

Here again, in an attempt to gain relief for one condition through medication – we can end up suffering additional problems. 

In addition, the mental stress of knowing one is suffering physically from a serious condition can very well lead to anxiety or depression over time. 

Stress tends to be the culprit of a number of physical problems so it’s no wonder that it contributes to both high blood pressure and depression alike. 

Regardless of the reason for high blood pressure, the following natural remedies have been shown effective in lowering blood pressure:

Drink in moderation.  Some people experience high blood pressure after just one or two drinks and therefore, probably shouldn’t drink at all.

Don’t smoke.  Cigarette smoking is related to over 30% of heart disease deaths.

Eat properly.  Many people who suffer from depression turn to “comfort foods” which tend to be of little nutritional value and high in fat.  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and reduce fat in your diet.

If you are struggling with these issues, I also suggest my natural programs.  Both the High Blood Pressure Program and Weight Loss Breeze Program are extremely effective and quite simple. 

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My wife and I recently met a longtime friend of my wife’s for breakfast; however, “Nancy’s” favorite diner with the “incredible” coffee had recently closed.  Now lamenting the loss of the great coffee, we decided on a favorite alternative – the nearby Starbucks.

While remarking on the great quality of the coffee, Nancy informed us that she was thinking of giving up coffee, even though she loved it, because of her hypertension.  “I’ve done the analysis, I don’t eat much salt, I don’t drink alcohol…it must be the coffee.  It’s disappointing, as I really only have one ‘Grande’ coffee per day.”

That was curious to me as I only drink one big cup of coffee per day and don’t suffer from hypertension – high blood pressure.   Of course, unlike Nancy, I’m also not 50 pounds overweight and smoking a pack and a half of cigarettes per day.

While there is unequivocal evidence that smoking cigarettes, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and certain other dietary factors do affect hypertension, there has been no clear evidence to support the claim that coffee affects hypertension. 

There is also no clear evidence that drinking coffee contributes, even slightly, to the development of hypertension.

Some studies have shown that drinking coffee does raise one’s blood pressure slightly, but only temporarily.  In fact, these same studies have shown that over time, this slight increase in blood pressure is reduced.

More recent studies have been focused on the link between drinking coffee and smoking or drinking coffee and weight gain.  The results of these studies, while not all causal links, still aren’t positive.

As far as smoking is concerned, while the answer is by no means yet definitive, studies have shown an increased link between increased blood pressure when smoking and drinking coffee, compared to doing either alone. 

While some fad diets will promote coffee because of the caffeine for weight loss, the studies just don’t back this up.  Caffeine can affect the brain’s production of adenosine, which is responsible for “calming” you down.  The short term edginess that accompanies caffeine has shown to actually increase food cravings.

Another consideration when drinking coffee, decaffeinated or not, is that many of us associate coffee with eating and we tend to eat less healthy food - doughnuts, pastries, etc.

Likewise, for many, coffee and cigarette smoking go hand in hand.  Many associate these things with habits or routines; say a coffee break at work.  Some people will even forgo coffee if they don’t have a cigarette, as it “just doesn’t taste the same.”

I’ve read amazing studies about people who changed from coffee to green tea and saw all kinds of positive outcomes – including lowered blood pressure.  What I would like to see is what other negative behaviors they gave up as a result, i.e., “The cigarette just didn’t taste the same without the coffee.”

As with most things in life, I recommend coffee in moderation if you (like me) just need or really enjoy the boost.  I suggest one cup of good quality coffee per day and really savor it.

Regardless of how coffee or other substances may or may not contribute to hypertension, my High Blood Pressure Program can and does provide dramatic results.  The exercises are simple but so effective that even lifelong sufferers are now believers in this completely natural cure.  In addition, I also suggest my Weight Loss Breeze Program especially if you suffer from both conditions.

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A reader recently informed me that while he suffers from high blood pressure (hypertension), his wife suffers from low blood pressure (hypotension).  Suffers?  Low pressure is good, right?  The heart doesn’t have to work as hard.  Wrong. 

Almost everyone who has reached adulthood has heard something about high blood pressure and what they’ve heard generally isn’t good.  One might make the assumption that if high blood pressure is bad, or to be avoided, low blood pressure should be a state to achieve. 

Actually, what people should want to maintain is normal blood pressure.

Low blood pressure is blood pressure so low that it does not properly distribute oxygen and other nutrients through arteries and veins to the vital organs.  If these conditions continue, permanent damage to the organs can result.

Studies have shown that people with low blood pressure often exhibit several symptoms, unlike high blood pressure, where sufferers rarely exhibit symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms of low blood pressure can include:  fainting, dizziness, anxiety, difficulty or changes in breathing, heart palpitations, the inability to concentrate, and excessive perspiration.

Also unlike high blood pressure, low blood pressure is generally diagnosed by the symptoms and other tests, not the blood pressure reading, as the number does not necessarily have to read low in order for the person to suffer sudden drops in pressure. 

So, although those suffering from high blood pressure certainly need to stay very aware of their readings, those with low blood pressure need to pay due attention to the affects it can have on their health too.

One suggestion to help deal with low blood pressure is to make sure you eat before starting the day.  Many people completely skip breakfast and jump right into their day’s stressful tasks. The body needs proper fuel to function properly anyway, so this is yet one more reason to improve your diet.

Other tips are to avoid cross legged positions when sitting and insure you drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.  Fluid consumption (preferably water) is especially critical when exercising or spending time in the sun.  Rolling your feet and ankles while lying down can also help.

In addition to these suggestions, I strongly recommend my High Blood Pressure Program.  Yes, the name certainly implies helping only those with high blood pressure.  However, the program will help those with low blood pressure too.  It actually achieves normalization of blood pressure. 

A few simple daily exercises with my all natural High Blood Pressure Program can help both conditions as it has already helped thousands of people.

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