Guardian

LAST week Thursday I brought you the first part of this article. To refresh your memory I mentioned three ways by which the heart is made to pump blood more forcefully. These three ways are, increased viscosity of the blood as a result of accumulation of acidic wastes in and around the cells as a result of dehydration.

Secondly, in a state of dehydration, certain hormones and neurotransmitters, led by histamine are released. These hormones cause reduction in the lumen (vasoconstriction) of the arterioles and capillaries in the capillary bed mainly in the muscles. This vasoconstriction reduces the amount of blood and water passing through the capillary bed, so that blood and water are redistributed to the five vital organs of the body.

Thirdly, and to further reduce the water filtering through the cells of the capillaries, the brain signals the liver to produce more cholesterol which will be deposited between the cells acting as an adhesive. Water used to be the adhesive between the cells and filtration of water into the cells and wastes outward proceeded unhindered. Cholesterol is not permeable to water and so filtration of water is reduced to a minimum. These three mechanisms give rise to what is known as peripheral vascular resistance. The heart interprets this to be a blockage, hindering the flow of blood.

In an attempt to overcome the resistance, the heart begins to pump with a greater force. This added force with which the heart pumps blood is what is referred to as high blood pressure (hypertension).

The forth mechanism for the development of hypertension is that the water that is redistributed to the brain for example, has to forced into the cells of the brain against the osmotic gradient by a process called reverse osmosis. The heart will have to pump even with more force to be able to push water into the cells of the brain. This will further heighten the pressure with which the heart pumps. This worsens the hypertension.

Treatment of Hypertension

It is clear from all that has been written that dehydration is the primary cause of hypertension. It stands to reason therefore, that in the management of hypertension, the first thing to do would be to correct the dehydration. It will only take 8 to 10 glasses of water daily to correct the dehydration. If the body becomes properly hydrated the following changes will occur: The rate of blood circulation will increase, the accumulated wastes swept off and the blood less viscous. Water is a known inhibitor of histamine and as the amount of water in the body increases and is sustained, histamine secretion and release become inhibited.

Vasoconstriction of the capillaries ease off and the vessels return to their usual state of elasticity. Further changes will include the reduction of production level of cholesterol by the liver. The cholesterol already deposited among the cells will gradually be dislodged. With all these changes sustained, water intake going on as prescribed, the body is taken off the rationing mode so that the force of pumping water against a high osmotic gradient will be reduced. Water alone may be enough to manage hypertension of short time duration. However, water alone will not do if the hypertension is long standing and established. For such cases the following will have to be included.

Exercises

Recommended exercises are brisk walking (for beginners), jogging, cycling, and swimming, three to four times weekly. Exercise strengthens the heart and lowers the pressure with which the heart pumps blood at rest. New capillaries develop and blocked ones are opened up to increase the capillary bed and thereby reduce and eventually eradicate the peripheral vascular resistance. Exercise also plays a part in detoxification and weight loss in obese individuals. With weight reduction there is usually a reduction in the blood pressure

Diet

The food that we eat plays a significant role in blood pressure management. To begin with, items such as sugar, table salt, caffeinated beverages, tobacco and cigarettes, alcohol etc should be cut down or avoided completely. The following minerals and vitamins are necessary for the good health of the heart and the blood vessels; potassium, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D3, Vitamin C, fatty acid like Omega 3 and amino acid such as L-arginine. Food sources of these include, spinach, watercress, wheat grass, soybean, Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes. Others are fruits like orange, grape fruit and banana. Skimmed milk for its calcium content and dark chocolate or raw cocoa are also part of the management protocol for hypertension.

Use of supplements

There is an array of supplements in Health Food Shops that add value to the health of the cardiovascular system. Your alternative medicine practitioner will no doubt be able to counsel you appropriately concerning what supplement to use.

Finally, avoid situations and things that can cause you stress.