Positive Health Online

How Homeopathy can help with High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a concern to anyone in the field of medicine or complementary health, since it can be one of the risk factors of developing heart disease.

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood flowing in the arteries; this measurement will vary due to the pumping action of the heart. The pressure is at its highest when the blood is pumped out of the heart into the arteries and at the lowest when the heart relaxes before pumping again; this flow and return is a continuous cycle.

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury. A blood pressure reading of 120/80 means that the top number (the systolic reading) is the highest level your blood pressure will reach as the heart beats and pumps blood into the arteries; the lower figure (the diastolic reading) is the lowest level blood pressure reaches when the heart relaxes between beats.

High blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors such as being overweight, an excess of salt in the diet, lack of physical exercise, excess intake of alcohol, not enough fruit and vegetables in the diet, or possibly a family history of high blood pressure. Long-term stress and its effect on both the emotional and physical aspects of the body could cause a rise in blood pressure.

If your blood pressure is raised, it can put a strain on the heart muscle over a period of time and the heart may not beat so effectively, so it is wise to take steps towards a lifestyle change. Even if blood pressure is not raised, these lifestyle changes may possibly help prevent if from developing at a later stage in your life.

Since high blood pressure is not necessarily something you might usually feel or notice, it can be a silent warning and for that reason it is wise to have it measured by a doctor, nurse or health practitioner to determine your blood pressure. The recommendation is that everyone over the age of 40 should have this done.

As a homoeopathic practitioner I take blood pressure readings of new clients as part of the detailed case history that I record, and have noticed that a number of them have what is termed 'white coat' syndrome, meaning that their blood pressure tends to rise at the mere thought of this test being carried out. For this reason, I ensure my clients are fully relaxed before taking the pressure, and will check it over three readings if the reading is elevated to ascertain the reading to be recorded. As a general rule of thumb, clients with high readings are always checked regularly; these clients are advised to make contact with their General Practitioner who will no doubt carry out further tests.

The homoeopathic materia medica has a number of remedies that a homoeopath may select to treat the symptoms of hypertension. Naturally these remedies would have to be chosen specifically to suit the client since so many factors are taken into account. However, the remedy Natrum Muriaticum is one that I have used on a number of clients presenting with this condition, due to the fact that their personality is one where they tend to keep all their emotions tucked away inside. I refer to this as the 'stiff upper lip' picture - the person would tell anyone who asks after their health and well being that they are fine, whereas in the quiet of their own home they are silently grieving. The grief can be due to the loss of a loved one, human or animal, they may feel depressed, cross and irritable from the slightest cause and they may dwell on past unpleasant memories. Crying is something that they prefer not to do, particularly in front of anyone else as it would embarrass them and if they do cry, it would be in private. If you were to try to offer consolation to this person it would make them feel worse.

As mentioned previously, a diet high in salt can take its toll on the body and this personality type tend to like to eat salty and fatty foods.

Homoeopathy and nutritional advice working together can bring about good results, but remember that high blood pressure does need to be taken seriously and the advice given above in respect of lifestyle changes will certainly help, so please seek the advice of your GP or other health professional and take steps to bring about changes that could improve your longevity.