Curing High Blood Pressure

By Aliya Agha

Hypertension is a condition of high blood pressure in the body. Unlike other sicknesses or conditions, such as a sore back or asthma or sinusitis, high blood pressures rarely surfaces with symptoms. However, it takes its irreversible toll on the body silently and becomes a lifelong condition. Thus it is rightly called the “silent killer”.

I was in my teens when accidentally I was discovered with high blood pressure that shocked my family. Back then doctors would just advise to quit active life to avoid the slightest of stresses. Medication had side effects that I had to struggle with for years. Now improved medication can slow down the ill effects. However, it has been a long journey living with hypertension and I strongly believe that self awareness is an important component for long term management of such condition.

There are no obvious reasons for hypertension which makes it harder to cure it. The only thing one can do is to manage and prevent its damaging surge to vital organs in the body.

Usually, high BP is associated with older age and stressful life. If consistently BP is elevated for a long time, the arterial walls become more rigid and prone to damage. Additionally, hormones released during stressful situation, the body fat is broken down to provide more energy. This results in increase of fatty acids and lipid fluids in the blood which provoke fatty deposits in the arterial walls. It is not until a serious health issue such as a stroke or heart attack, that people find out about their hypertensive state.

Hypertension is a fairly common condition in Asians. Among many theories, one is the high intake of sodium in the food. Traditionally, salt is an important flavor in Asian dishes for hundreds of years. But recently the trend of combining salt with different kinds sodium for enhanced flavor are sabotaging good health.   Baking powder, monosodium glutamate (MSG) , soya sauce were not part of our traditional cooking, yet they are commonly used in almost every urban household and restaurant. Even regular BBQ meat is seasoned heavily with MSG.  Sodium strains our kidneys as they remove unwanted fluid out of the body. If there is extra sodium in the blood it will retain water and prevent the flushing out of extra fluids. Consequently, I order to push the extra water, more pressure on the blood vessels is required. Sodium also causes bloating in the body.

Diet can bring dramatic changes.  A study performed in New Delhi,  found that  sesame oil which has high content of fatty acids and antioxidants, help drop BP.  Similarly, ginger is a natural blood thinner. It eases the blood vessels and helps to improve circulation.

There has been a lot of research on hypertension and diet control, but one of the most beneficial alternative therapy is yoga. Dr. Chandra Patel and W.S. North conducted a research on “Yoga and Management of Hypertension”, published in The Lancet, where 34 hypertensive patients were assigned treatment by yoga relaxation methods. The difference was highly significant. Such studies have been supported by many other researches. Yogic and Tantric Medicine mentions the research of an eminent cardiologist of Bombay, Dr. Datey  where 86 hypertension cases practicing yoga procedure were followed up. The response of patients was calculated after three months, six months, nine months and a year. 53 per cent of patients responded to the program.

In my experience, not every program or sequence of yoga postures or group classes are suitable for hypertensive students. Keeping the limitations in the mind, best approach is to seek out a customized or personal program with a certified yoga teacher. A research study titled “Psychological and Biochemical Responses to the Practice of Hatha –yoga in Young Normal Volunteers” published in Indian Medical Journal, 1975, recorded heightened adrenal activity during “shirshasana”(headstand)  and “halasana”(plough pose).  Additionally, hypertensive patients must be cautioned to practice “Bandhas” (energy locks) and “kumbakh” (retention of breath) as these can cause blood vessel damage.

Most supine and prone positions are suitable for hypertensive patients. Twisting postures detoxify the kidneys and must be added to the program. It is recommended that prolong relaxation in “Savasana” (corpse pose) and “Narayana”  (recline on left side) helps bring the high blood pressure down and balances the endocrine system, as well as the brain functions.

A multi-pronged approach is required to control hypertension.  This approach must include short and multiple relaxation breaks, yoga practice of simple postures, fresh home cooked foods and calmer emotions. This holistic approach ensures healthy longevity.

Author is a Wellness & Yoga Expert 

aliya@aliyaagha.com