| Hypertension |
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Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious condition that affects one in four adults. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the first and third most common causes of death. In the early and middle adult years, men are more likely than women to develop a heart condition, but as men and women age, more women older than 55 have high blood pressure than men of the same age. While hypertension generally develops in people over 20 years of age... ...more than half of all Canadians over the age of 65 have a heart condition. Most people who have high blood pressure do not know they have it because they generally do not experience symptoms. Occasionally, some individuals may experience a mild headache when their blood pressure is high. People with a serious case of hypertension, may experience symptoms such as a severe headache, confusion, nausea, visual disturbances or even a seizure.
Heart failure on the other hand, does not actually mean that your heart has failed or stopped beating. It means that your heart, being a muscle, is pumping blood inefficiently. As your heart's pumping action lessens, blood may back up in your lungs, liver, or legs. This can cause shortness of breath, your legs to swell, and other problems. In addition, organs in your body may not get the oxygen and nutrients they need, reducing their ability to function properly. The goal in treating any heart condition is to reduce the risk of serious complications, including heart disease and stroke. While the optimum blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, even partial reduction in blood pressure is beneficial. Prescription medications are often needed to treat hypertension, but lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, and relaxation, are an integral part of protecting your heart. In fact, a National Institute of Health (NIH) statement issued in 1996 asserts that behavioral and relaxation therapies must be integrated into conventional medical treatment of high blood pressure. Examples of relaxation techniques include biofeedback, massage, meditation, and qi gong. Often, in the early stages of hypertension when blood pressure elevation is mild, the doctor will recommend lifestyle modifications alone for a period of 6 to 12 months. After this time, if blood pressure is still high, chelation will then be advised. Chelation removes obstacles to the healing process, allowing for recovery. Impaired health can only be restored by therapies that counteract a spectrum of disease causing factors – Chelation is such a therapy. |
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