Hypertension is commonly known as high blood pressure. A healthy young adult resting blood pressure should be around 120/80 mmHg, blood pressure rises with age, a typically healthy 50 year old should have blood pressure reading of 150/90 mmHg at rest. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is diagnosed when the blood pressure is constantly above 160/95 mmHg at rest.

The contributing factors to hypertension (high blood pressure) are kidney and hormonal disease, a genetically predisposed family history to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, high consumption of dietary salt (sodium chloride), low dietary calcium, depletion in magnesium, obesity, low intake of potassium salts, a high consumption of sugar , high alcohol consumption, high consumption of caffeine especially in beverages such as tea and coffee, smoking, high saturated fats intake, consumption of liquorice, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the taking of the contractive pill, toxic material such as lead and cadmium, food allergy, lack of exercise and stress.

Usually, hypertension (high blood pressure) is without symptoms but typical symptoms of hypertension (high blood pressure) which are reported are feeling dizzy, tired and having headaches. If hypertension (high blood pressure) is left unchecked then blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, heart and brain can become damaged causing serious conditions such as impaired eyesight, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes. A man with hypertension (high blood pressure) in his 40s is 30 times more likely to have a stroke than a man not suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure).

Changing your dieting and lifestyle can reduce the health risks associated with hypertension (high blood pressure). Avoid salt, excess alcohol, caffeine, stress and quit smoking, keep to a low fat, low cholesterol diet which is high in fresh organic fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, this should provide plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, potassium and fibre, take up regular exercise, if overweight try to loss it and try not to reuse vegetable oil for frying.

Supplements that have shown good results in reducing hypertension (high blood pressure) are Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), fish oil, garlic tablets and potassium.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure)

Achillea wilhelmsii

Coenzyme Q10

Evening primrose oil

Fibre

Fish oil (EPA/DHA)

Garlic

Hibiscus