By
[http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dr._Joseph_Mercola/17419]Dr. Joseph Mercola
Postmenopausal women taking a certain class of blood
pressure medicines known as calcium channel blockers better proceed with
caution. Researchers found that the use of such medications may double the risk
of dying from heart disease -- especially when given in certain combinations.
Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by
relaxing blood vessel walls. Previous studies have indicated that such drugs
can contribute to heart failure, but found they did not increase death rates.
Calcium Channel Blockers
* Cardizem
* Norvasc
* Procardia
According to the most recent study, however, such drugs
do indeed put women at twice the risk of dying from heart disease, especially
when linked with diuretics (which reduce the amount of fluid in the blood). In
addition, researchers discovered that women who took a calcium channel blocker
alone had a 55 percent higher risk of death than women who only took a
diuretic.
The study involved almost 20,000 postmenopausal women
between the ages of 50 and 79 who were being treated for high blood pressure.
Although the study involved women, researchers said the findings likely apply
to men as well.
USA Today December 15, 2004
Journal of the American Medical Association, December
15, 2004; 292:2849-2859
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
It is SO very important to understand that high blood
pressure can kill or permanently impair you, and it is not something that
should be ignored or taken lightly. This condition usually kills people slowly
over time, and very high blood pressures can surely cause a stroke.
If a person's systolic, or upper, blood pressure is
greater than 180, I normally advise drug therapy to treat it. However, this is
done as a temporary measure to keep you alive until your lifestyle adjustments
kick in.
You can lower your high blood pressure quite simply by
using safe, natural and proven methods.
One such method is eliminating grains and sugars from
your diet until your blood pressure and weight normalize. Insulin is a major
factor as to why high blood pressure persists, which is why it is vitally
important to avoid foods like processed cereals (especially those high in
sugar) and crackers, soda, and other sweets and highly processed grains.
Following a healthy nutrition plan will not only reduce
the risk of hypertension, but it will also keep you healthy and full of energy.
To learn more about eating right, I recommend getting a copy of my book, TOTAL
HEALTH Program, as it is an excellent guide to achieving overall physical and
mental wellness.
Another useful method you can use to lower high blood
pressure is to incorporate an exercise plan into your daily routine. (This is
another way to lower your insulin levels.)
When using exercise as a drug to treat hypertension, it
is important to set a goal of at least one hour per day ... every day.
Obviously, depending on your current condition you may need to slowly work up
to this level. Please read my comprehensive exercise recommendations for more
informaiton.
My experience is that weight-bearing exercises, such as
walking, jogging or running are better than cycling and swimming. If you have
access to a health club, my favorite piece of equipment is the elliptical
machine. Cycling and swimming take far longer to produce the same benefit and
each have negative aspects: If you are cycling outdoors, you run the risk of
being killed or injured by a motor vehicle; swimming is usually done in
chlorinated pools, which has its own problems.
Lastly, adopt energy psychology tools like the Emotional
Freedom Technique (EFT) to help maintain a healthy blood pressure. This is
important because emotional factors like stress are one of the major causes of
hypertension, so learning how to reduce stress levels would be extremely
helpful.
In addition, EFT is one of the most profound healing
techniques I know. You can learn the technique through my free online manual;
complete with pictures to help you better understand how to use this tool. Or,
for a more in-depth knowledge of the EFT technique, you can purchase my EFT series,
available on DVD or VHS.
-------------------
Dr.
Joseph Mercola
Author
of Total Health Program
Founder
of the renowned Optimal Wellness Center
http://www. Mercola.com
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Calcium Channel Blockers Can Actually Cause Heart Disease
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