Moderately high blood pressure or hypertension is symptomless and in itself not harmful. Healthy arteries can withstand extremely high pressure without damage. High blood pressure becomes dangerous when arteries are diseased and weakened.
The arteries have tough, muscular, elastic walls that relax and widen as the blood pulses through, then become slightly narrower between heartbeats.
Blood pressure is determined by the force of the blood as the heart pumps, multiplied by the amount of resistance that the arteries provide.
Blood pressure can rise for one or two reasons: Either the heart is working hard, causing an increase in the strength or rate of its pumping action and a corresponding increase in blood pressure or the walls of the arteries have become narrow, stiff or clogged with plaque, so the heart must pump hard to force blood through.
Hypertension is a serious condition that erodes artery linings, encouraging the build-up of plague, a condition called atherosclerosis and makes the arteries less resilient.
Left untreated, hypertension can lead to heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney damage, retinal damage, and a shortened life expectancy.
Hypertension kills because it has no obvious symptoms, at least in its early stages. As it becomes more severe, it may cause headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, nosebleeds and blackouts.
No one knows what brings on most cases of hypertension, although genetics are a likely contributor. Certain factors can hasten development of the condition, or make it worse. They include overweight, lack of exercise, poor diet stress, smoking, alcohol abuse, various hormones, and certain drugs.
Since hypertension cannot be cured, the standard treatments are designed to keep it under control. However its medical practice to bring about the reduction of blood pressure with drugs, but these produce undesirable side effects and really achieve nothing.
Over the years natural therapy advocates have believed and equally demonstrated that some herbs, including natural substance can help check high blood pressure.
According to Dr Ronald Hoffinan and Barry Fox, garlic is one natural herb that can go a long way to control high blood pressure. Studies have shown that garlic not only has powerful antibiotic properties but also can help treat high cholesterol and blood fats, arthritis, diarrhea and colds.
Commission E, the top German agency that regulates herbs approved the use of garlic for treatment for elevated blood pressure. The approval is backed by solid evidence in the use of the herb to control high bp.
Though there is no standard dose for garlic, typical supplemental doses may range from 600 to 1,200 milligrammes of extract or 300 mg of garlic powder daily.
On the other hand, there is a warning as excess garlic may cause dizziness, headache and irritation in the stomach. Prolonged use of garlic may lead to thinning of the blood and excess bleeding. Also, avoid using garlic with antidiabetic drugs, so as not to suffer from low blood sugar.
