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Herbs And Supplements For Hypertension
One in five deaths in the United States each year are caused by cardiovascular disease, making it the leading cause of death. Hypertension, which affects roughly half of U.S. Adults, plays an important role in cardiovascular disease by increasing the risk of life-threatening events like heart attacks and strokes.
While doctors write more and more prescriptions to treat the rising number of patients with high blood pressure, some people are also seeking alternative medicine to help manage this condition.
There's nothing wrong with this approach, as long as people don't try to use herbs and supplements to replace prescription medications, says Paul Kalnins, ND, assistant professor at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. That's because there aren't any herbs or supplements that can directly treat hypertension, Kalnins says.
When someone asks what 'natural products' treat hypertension, they are often asking unconsciously what herbs or supplements can replace pharmaceutical medications," Kalnins adds. "No herb or supplement is as good as existing pharmaceuticals."
Instead, what alternative therapies can offer patients is a way to address some of the underlying processes in the body that can contribute to what's known as essential, or primary, hypertension that isn't caused by other diseases, Kalnins says.
There are a few herbs and supplements that show promise for reducing factors that contribute to hypertension like stiffness in the arteries and inflammation. However, it's important to use caution when choosing them. Some may have ingredients that aren't listed on the labels, or an alternative treatment for hypertension may interact with prescription or over-the-counter medication. To be on the safe side, always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new treatments.
Alternative Medicine for Blood PressureThe following herbs and supplements may be beneficial for addressing some of the underlying causes of high blood pressure:
Hawthorn This northern European plant has been used as a heart-disease remedy for centuries. Some small studies in humans have found hawthorn effective at reducing inflammation and arterial stiffness, with modest reductions in blood pressure as result. Other small studies have found hawthorn less effective, however.
"With hypertension, there is low-grade inflammation in the arterial walls, which means the blood vessels constrict and don't dilate naturally," explains Kalnins. "The compounds in hawthorn can help relax those arterial walls." It's possible that hawthorn may interact with digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin), a medication used to treat certain heart disorders, so do not use these two treatments together without guidance from your doctor.
Fish Oil Fish oil has been touted as a worthwhile dietary supplement because it's a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which, among other things, has naturally occurring anti-inflammatory properties. Some research has found fish oil particularly effective at reducing what's known as systolic blood pressure, the "top number" that shows the pressure blood exerts on artery walls when the heart beats. Fish oil also has the added benefit of driving down triglycerides, a type of fat in the body that can be dangerous at high levels.
Numerous studies show that diet is the most effective way of getting the benefits of omega-3 sources like fish oil. Due to the high cost of wild fish and concerns over mercury levels of cheaper, farm-raised fish, dietary supplements from reputable sources are recommended as well. "Supplements should come from a source that checks the mercury levels in fish oil," Kalnins says.
Garlic The compounds found in garlic help regulate the immune response involved in the inflammatory process and have been shown to lower lipid levels. Supplements made from kyolic aged garlic extract — which comes from organically grown garlic bulbs aged over 20 months at room temperature — may be particularly beneficial. A recent meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials found kyolic aged garlic extract significantly reduced both systolic blood pressure and what's known as diastolic blood pressure, the "bottom number" that shows the pressure blood exerts on artery walls when the heart rests between beats.
Magnesium There is a fair amount of evidence showing diets high in magnesium may lower hypertension risk. Magnesium's role as an alternative treatment for hypertension is intimately related to calcium. Arterial smooth muscle requires calcium for contraction, but people with high blood pressure tend to accumulate calcium in these muscles — hence, the widespread use of calcium channel blocker medication. Magnesium is thought to be a natural calcium channel blocker: It opposes the effects of calcium by relaxing the arterial muscle. Some healthcare professionals haven't seen much success with magnesium as a hypertension treatment specifically.
A recent research review suggests the effectiveness of magnesium may depend on who is taking it. This review examined data from 49 trials testing the impact of magnesium on people with normal blood pressure, individuals with untreated hypertension, patients with blood pressure that's not well controlled by medication, and patients whose medicines do keep their blood pressure in check. While magnesium didn't always help people with previously untreated hypertension, this supplement did appear to help improve blood pressure in patients whose hypertension wasn't well controlled with prescription drugs.
Coenzyme Q10 The supplement coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) is also involved in the contraction of smooth muscle, specifically the efficiency of contraction. "Co-Q10 increases the activity of mitochondria, which is where energy is made, so it essentially gives more energy to the heart muscle," says Kalnins. Scientists are still working to pinpoint exactly which people might benefit most from taking this supplement as a way to help manage the underlying causes of high blood pressure.
One recent meta-analysis of data from 17 clinical trials found Co-Q10 helped lower systolic blood pressure in people with metabolic diseases such as diabetes, for example. However, an earlier meta-analysis found moderate-quality evidence that Co-Q10 doesn't have a clinically meaningful impact on people with primary hypertension.
Folic Acid Folic acid is sometimes given as an alternative treatment for hypertension because of its effects on the arterial walls. There is some evidence that accumulation of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood can damage these walls. Folic acid, typically given in combination with vitamins B6 or B12, reduces homocysteine levels. A recent meta-analysis of 22 studies with more than 40,000 patients found folic acid supplements significantly reduced systolic blood pressure.
The Bottom LineDietary supplements aren't tested and regulated as strictly as prescription and over-the-counter medication. In fact, manufacturers can market a supplement without having to prove safety or effectiveness.
Beyond this, a lot of what we know about the potential benefits of herbs and supplements for managing the underlying causes of hypertension is based on lab tests, animal studies, or small human trials, Kalnins says.
That's why you should research supplements and talk with your regular doctor about potential interactions and side effects before using an alternative treatment for hypertension.
Study Finds Using 3 To 4 Drugs For High Blood Pressure May Be More Effective Than Single Pill
People with high blood pressure, or hypertension, are often prescribed one or two medications, in addition to lifestyle changes, to help lower their blood pressure.
Now new research suggests that taking three or four medications — at lower doses and as the initial treatment — may help people lower their blood pressure without increasing the risk of most negative side effects.
To estimate how much benefit this kind of low-dose combination therapy offers for controlling blood pressure, researchers reviewed seven previous randomized clinical trials. They also combined the results of these studies, using a statistical method known as a meta-analysis.
Their analysis suggests that combining low doses of three or four blood-pressure-lowering medications is safe and effective as an initial treatment strategy for high blood pressure. Previously, three-drug combinations had been recommended only if they have difficulty keeping their blood pressure under control with two drugs.
The results were published April 26 in JAMA Cardiology.
The seven randomized clinical trials included in the new analysis compared low-dose combinations of three or four blood-pressure-lowering drugs to treatment with a single drug, usual care, or an inactive placebo.
Researchers defined low doses as half or less than half the standard dose.
The clinical trials included a total of 1,918 patients. In five of the trials, participants were followed for four to 12 weeks, and for six to 12 months in the other two trials.
People treated with low-dose drug combinations saw their systolic blood pressure decrease on average by 16 to 28 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) over 4 to 12 weeks, the analysis showed.
In contrast, systolic blood pressure decreased 12 to 18 mm Hg on average in the group taking one drug or receiving usual care.
At six and 12 months, people receiving low-dose combination therapy continued to have greater reductions in their blood pressure compared to the one-drug or usual care groups.
Low-dose combination therapy also lowered blood pressure more than placebo, researchers found.
In addition, a greater percentage of people receiving low-dose combination therapy lowered their blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg, compared to those receiving one drug or usual care. This was true during the short-term and long-term follow-ups.
According to the American Heart Association, Hypertension Stage 2 is when the blood pressure is consistently at or above 140/90 mm Hg.
Two-thirds of people in the clinical trials were able to control their blood pressure with low-dose combination therapy, the researchers found. However, that means that one-third would "require treatment intensification to achieve better control rates," they wrote.
Overall, there was a low risk of adverse effects with low-dose combination therapy. However, people taking three or four medications were more likely to experience dizziness compared to those treated with one drug or usual care.
One limitation of the analysis is that some of the clinical trials included people who were taking blood-pressure-lowering medications at the start of the trial — so low-dose combination therapy was not their initial treatment.
However, the authors of the new study found that the results were similar when they compared people who had already been taking medications to those who started on the low-dose combination therapy.
Another limitation of the analysis is that it included only a few clinical trials, with just two trials following patients for six to 12 months.
The authors point out that as a result of this, they may not be able to clearly see if people on the low-dose combination therapy had fewer or more side effects than the other groups.
Dr. Michael Broukhim, an interventional cardiologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., said larger studies would be needed to clearly assess the adverse effects of low-dose combination therapy.
For example, "one of the concerns about the side effect of dizziness is that it may be a sign that patients are becoming hypotensive (have low blood pressure)," he told Healthline. "With this, there's a concern that patients may faint or pass out, or have another bad outcome."
Ideally, he would like to see a larger randomized clinical trial that compares low-dose combination therapy to taking a single pill, focused on people with high blood pressure but no related health conditions.
Still, "it's a good study, and it shows that you need to look at treating from multiple angles to get the best results, in terms of lowering blood pressure," he said.
The study also shows that patients tolerate low doses of multiple medications, he said, and that this approach may work better than increasing the dose of a single medication to achieve blood pressure control.
With many medications, increasing the dose also increases the risk of negative side effects.
Dr. Sanjiv Patel, an interventional cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., agrees. "The key is multiple medications, but at low doses, because high doses can also cause side effects and problems," he told Healthline.
However, Broukhim questions whether this particular paper will change how physicians treat high blood pressure — for several reasons.
For example, patients may have other health conditions — such as diabetes or heart disease or rheumatoid conditions — that need to be treated alongside high blood pressure.
"There are multiple decisions that make a once-size-fits-all approach for the treatment of hypertension very difficult," he said.
In addition, it's more challenging for patients to take several pills every day.
"Nobody wants to take multiple medications," said Patel.
One solution to this is combining several drugs in a single pill, what's known as a polypill. Patel said this approach can help patients take their medications regularly.
Research supports this, at least with cardiovascular medications — in the study, patients who had a heart attack adhered better to their medicine regimen if they were given a polypill versus multiple pills.
One challenge with polypills, though, is adjusting the medication to fit the needs of the patient.
"If you have to change one of the medications, then you have to change the whole pill," said Patel.
Broukhim said polypills for blood-pressure-lowering medications may not be possible with the current state of the pharmaceutical industry.
Medications that would work together may be manufactured by different companies, which would require them to agree to combining their drug with others in a single pill.
However, "as we get more generic hypertensive medications, developing polypills may be easier," said Broukhim. "That would be helpful in getting patients on multiple medications, without them having to swallow three or four pills each day."
Although some treatments may work better than others, "ignoring high blood pressure is not the way to go," he said. "We need to be aggressive about treating hypertension to reduce cardiovascular comorbidities — strokes, heart attacks and other issues."
We've Developed Drugs For Sickle Cell, Hypertension – FG
THE Minister of Science and Technology, Olorunnimbe Mamora, says the ministry has developed diagnostic processes, treatment and drugs for common diseases like sickle cell and hypertension through its agencies.
Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder in which the haemoglobin is damaged and can't carry oxygen to the tissues while Hypertension is when the pressure in the blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher).
Mamora disclosed this on Tuesday, May 17, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while featuring in the State House briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team.
The minister said his ministry had also made significant achievements in food processing and equipment fabrication to boost food production.
"Nigeria has a very large population of sickle cell disease patients and carriers; to that effect, I can tell that we have developed products from plants that combat or are anti-sickening in nature and therefore reduce the number of attacks that usually result from sickle cell anaemia."
According to him, the anti-hypertensive drugs and Lovastatin, which reduce cholesterol, were also developed.
"I can say that through our molecular diagnostic laboratories, we have been able to develop a mode of identifying or making a diagnosis because the first step in the management of a patient is to make the right diagnosis; if you don't make the right diagnosis, you cannot treat what you don't know.''
The sickle cell crisis, according to American Family Physician Journal, is pain that can begin suddenly and last several hours to several days.
Nigeria has been identified as the global epicenter for individuals living with sickle cell disease, according to the Pan African Medical Journal.
"About 50 million people are living with SCD globally and Nigeria is the epicentre zone with about 4-6 million people living with the disease (1 in every 4 Nigerians has a sickle cell trait). Annually, about 300,000 newly diagnosed SCD children are born worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa contributes about 75% of the number. Nigeria accounts for 100,000-150,000 newborns living with SCD annually (33% of the global burden of SCD)."
The journal added that the prevalence of SCD within the states in Nigeria ranges from 1-3 per cent, noting that Hb-SS is the predominant ´haemoglobin variant found in Nigeria while Hb-SC occurs sporadically, especially in the south-western Nigeria.
"SCD poses significant challenges to the global population health. It contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of pediatric and adult population. About 50%-90% of children born with SCD in low- and low-middle-income countries of sub-Saharan Africa die before their fifth birthday.
"It accounts for 20% of neonatal mortality and 5% of mortality of under-5 children in the African continent. It is contributory to several obstetric complications and high maternal mortality rates of women of child-bearing age living with SCD in the region.
"The economic burden of SCD could be quite enormous to the family of sufferers and the nation [16-18]. Although SCD is a genetic disease, socio-demographic characteristics of the host person plays significant role in predicting the direction of the disease trajectory."
Also, a study published on thelancet.Com, reveals that Nigeria holds the highest birth prevalence of sickle cell disease worldwide, with an estimated 150,000 babies born annually with sickle cell anaemia, which is the most prevalent form of the disease.
This figure means that Nigeria takes almost half of the share of more than 300,000 babies with severe haemoglobin disorders that are born globally each year.
According to data from The World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300,000 babies with severe haemoglobin disorders are born globally each year, but 75 per cent is said to be found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
WHO stated that approximately five per cent of the world's population carries trait genes for haemoglobin disorders, mainly sickle-cell disease and thalassaemia.
The ICIR, in 2019, reported that despite the high burden of the disease in the country, there is no legislation, no national coverage of the genotype screening, and no active policy to aid in controlling and managing the disease.
The report narrated how people living with the disease were being stigmatized in the society.
The conditions of the people living with sickle cells anemia worsened during the Covid-19 lockdown as most Nigerians couldn't access health centers.
Similarly, Hypertension, also known as high or raised blood pressure, affects millions of Nigerians. Blood pressure is created by the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels (arteries) as it is pumped by the heart.
Studies have indicated that hypertension raises the likelihood of knee arthritis, a condition that leaves the patients with a throbbing pain on the knees' joints.
Hypertension is a disease that affects about 1.13 billion people worldwide, according to WHO statistics in 2018.
WHO stressed that Africa has the highest percentage of cases of hypertension.
According to the data, approximately 23.9 percent of Nigeria's population, aged 18 years and above, are affected by hypertension. This translates to over 38 million individuals in the country, representing a ratio of nearly one in every four Nigerians.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.Com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M
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