Hypertension Drugs of Choice Carry Undesirable Side Effects

Dr. Gabe Mirkin reveals that...

"Several studies show that the drugs of choice to treat high blood pressure for most North Americans are calcium channel blockers and angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

The American Heart Association recommends beta blockers and diuretics as first-line treatment for people with high blood pressure. Beta blockers can cause impotence, tiredness at rest and during exercise, weight gain, and they increase risk for diabetes. Diuretics make you tired. Furthermore, a study from Sweden shows that beta blockers increase risk of strokes. There is no data to show they prevent heart attacks in healthy people.

Other studies have recommended different combinations and the combination with the fewest side effects includes a calcium channel blocker and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Long-acting calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels, while angiotensin II receptor antagonists block a blood vessel-constricting hormone released by the kidneys (4).

Many people can control high blood pressure with diet and other lifestyle changes if they are sufficiently motivated. If you suffer from high blood pressure, go on my modified DASH diet and start an exercise program to help you lose weight. If that doesn't reduce your blood pressure to normal, I think that the drugs of choice are angiotensin II receptor antagonists. If your blood pressure is still high, add a calcium channel blocker.

BETA BLOCKERS include: Betapace, Blocadren, Brevibloc, Cartrol, Inderal, Kerlone, Levatol, Lopressor, Sectral, Tenormin, Toprol, Zebeta.
ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS: Atacand, Avapro, Cozaar, Diovan.
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS: Adalat, Calan, Cardizem, Covera, Dilacor, DynaCirc, Isoptin, Nimotop Norvasc, Plendil, Procardia, Sular, Tiazac, Vascor, Verelan
ALPHA BLOCKERS: Cardura, Dibenzyline, Hytrin, Minipres.

1) DA Edelman, RA Paul. Does combination therapy with a calcium channel blocker and an ace inhibitor have additive effects on blood pressure reduction? International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2000, Vol 54, Iss 2, pp 105-109.

2) NEJM, March 30, 2000.

3) Lancet, October 29, 2005.

4) JAMA, 2000;283:1967-1975."

Breathing Technique can Lower Blood Pressure

There are a number of nonpharmacologic therapies that can lower blood pressure. Weight loss, stress reduction, salt restriction, regular exercise, biofeedback and even regular meditation have been shown to significantly reduce high blood pressure.

Specific breathing techniques also may reduce high blood pressure. Many of these breathing techniques have been used in meditation as well as martial art training for thousands of years. These breathing techniques were believed to increase lung capacity, enhance cardiac and circulatory function, reduce stress and promote an overall relaxed state of being.

In recent research from Brazil, published in the Archives of Brazilian Cardiology, participants with essential hypertension were able to significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by practicing specific breathing techniques daily for a month. These breathing exercises focused on breathing more slowly and deeply.

In this study, blood pressure dropped from an average of 135/99 to 124/81. In addition, total lung capacity also increased. This was the first study to show that practicing breathing exercises, over time, can reduce high blood pressure.

Zona Health will be offering a breathing and meditation program (along with nutrition, fitness and Zona Training) in it’s soon to be published book (The Zona Method) later this year.

Joe "Cool" Montana's Next Big Game

Joe Montana had a Hall of Fame career throwing touchdown passes, eluding defenders, leading the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl victories and posting some impressive statistics in the process.

But after retirement, the quarterback known as "Joe Cool" for his calm demeanor under pressure on the field had to face another kind of pressure off of it: hypertension.

The former quarterback learned about five years ago that he himself has the medical condition, which can lead to heart disease.

He has joined forces with noted cardiologist James Rippe, M.D. to educate the public about high blood pressure. Click here to see a recent interview.