Published in Metro, February 1, 2005
By Du La, ND and Jonah Lusis, ND
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in most developed countries. High blood pressure or hypertension, the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk for heart attack can result from a variety of causes, but among the most preventable are poor diet and stress. Hypertension itself has no symptoms, but causes stroke or heart attack when the pressure in blood vessels becomes high enough to burst the vessel or when the vessel becomes completely blocked. When this happens, brain or heart tissue “downstream” is starved of oxygen and nutrients and dies. Pressure in blood vessels is raised when they become narrowed, either from being blocked or when they constrict (as caused by stress).
As over 80% of patients with high blood pressure fall in the “mild-moderate” range, lifestyle and dietary changes and natural medicines can be considered a reasonable approach to management. Exercise has been shown to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol while also managing stress and strengthening the heart muscle. Diet-wise, emphasis on vegetables and limiting red meat consumption is a useful measure in managing cholesterol levels. Limiting salt intake is important, but studies have shown that to lower blood pressure it is also necessary to increase potassium intake. Good sources of potassium include avocados, lentils and bananas.
Certain supplements can be helpful as well. Increasing consumption of omega-3 fatty acids through supplementation with either fish oil or flaxseed oil has been shown to decrease blood pressure. To answer your next question, fish oil is now available in flavoured forms from a variety of manufacturers and is no longer the nightmare of your (or more likely your grandmothers) childhood. Coenzyme Q10 is another supplement that has been shown to decrease hypertension. Although the exact mechanism by which Coenzyme Q10 lowers blood pressure is not known, the effect of it’s use is an approximately 10% decrease in blood pressure. Results take 4-12 weeks to become evident. The Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) plant, specifically Hawthorn berries, has been recognized as a heart remedy by traditional herbalists for centuries, and is now similarly recognized by the conventional medical profession in Europe. Although some authors recommend the use of standardized herbal extract pills, traditional herbalists tend to recommend products that include parts of the whole plant such as tinctures or solid extracts. In either case, a period of 2-4 weeks use is required before a therapeutic effect becomes evident.
While all the recommendations in this column are proven and safe to use long-term, it is very important that anyone suffering from heart disease consult a health-care professional, particularly if presently using conventional heart medications. For those whose goal is prevention, good luck and keep up the good work.
Du La and Jonah Lusis are both Naturopathic Doctors. They practice at Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine located in downtown Toronto and can be reached at (416) 598-8898.