There are several types of high blood pressure. In some cases, the top number is too high, but the bottom number is normal. In others, the top number may be acceptable but the bottom number is too high. In many people, both the top and bottom numbers are too high.

What do these numbers mean? What can we do to help reduce our blood pressure?

What the numbers mean
The top number in a blood pressure reading is called the systolic blood pressure. It represents the pressure generated by your heart as it pushes the blood through the blood vessels. Most of the resistance to blood flow (75%) comes from an intermediate blood vessel called an arteriole. Arterioles are very sensitive to adrenaline.  Stress produces adrenaline and stress alone is a common cause of high blood pressure where only the top number is too high.

The bottom number in a blood pressure reading is called the diastolic blood pressure. It represents the pressure exerted upon the heart when it is at rest, drawing in blood to pump out to the rest of the body. Toxins in the bloodstream such as fat, sugar, salt, alcohol and nicotine may cause high diastolic blood pressure. The kidneys and lungs are organs that excrete toxins from your body. High levels of toxins elevate diastolic blood pressure and place stress on these delicate organs. This may cause them to fail.

Inflammation in the bloodstream is a common cause of high blood pressure where both numbers are too high. Often, a toxin such as homocysteine injures the blood vessel walls. Homocysteine is a protein that looks very much like a sliver of broken glass. As it slices through your delicate arteries, they release markers of distress such as C-Reactive protein. Bad cholesterol (LDL) that becomes too sticky may start a “grease fire” in the lining of the arteries. White blood cells may use a sort of foam to try to put the fire out and calcium may turn the blood vessels into bone! Hardening of the arteries is a common reason why both systolic and diastolic numbers are too high.

What to do
First, you should know that high blood pressure is a medical emergency. Get medical help immediately. Once your type of high blood pressure has been diagnosed, there are several things you may do to help bring it under control.

• For systolic (top number) hypertension, stress management is important. Practice deep breathing for 10 minutes, three times daily and for 20 minutes at bedtime. Take long walks and talk with a woman (blood pressures goes down when men talk with women or when women talk with women; it remains the same when a woman talks with a man). Consider adding Adaptogen 10 Plus® to your supplement program as well as Leanology® Capsules to help address cortisol (the other side of the adrenaline equation) – especially if you are gaining weight around the middle.

• For diastolic (bottom number) hypertension a comprehensive detoxification program is needed. Practice deep breathing (75% of all body waste is excreted through the lungs) and increase your water consumption unless you have been limited by your doctor. Eliminate all obvious toxins (see above) and start hunting for more subtle poisons, such as chemicals stored in your home. Use the Vital C Flush to encourage your body to eliminate more toxins.

• With essential hypertension, where both the systolic and diastolic numbers are too high, you may need to change everything in your lifestyle: reduce stress, lose weight, control LDL cholesterol, homocysteine CRP and inflammation, eliminate toxins, etc. Remember, this is a medical emergency and you must do whatever it takes to lower your blood pressure before you suffer organ failure, heart attack, stroke and death.

Conclusion
High blood pressure of any kind is a message of distress sent to you by your body. The more you are able to listen to this message and take appropriate actions, the happier your body will be. Learn to listen to the subtle – and not so subtle – messages from your body and respond appropriately

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