Magnesium and Hypertension
WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?
High blood pressure or hypertension is a chronic condition where the blood pressure rises in the arteries. High blood pressure can affect the kidneys, arteries and heart. Hypertension is very dangerous and can cause heart attack or stroke if not treated immediately.
A sphygmomanometer takes two blood pressure measurements. Systolic blood pressure refers to the blood pressure in vessels during the heart beat when the blood pressure is highest, while diastolic blood pressure refers to the blood pressure between heartbeats when the blood pressure is lowest.
When the heart beats, it pumps blood through the arteries to all parts of our bodies. Blood pressure refers to the force of the blood pushing up against the walls of the blood vessels. The heart has to work very hard if the blood pressure is very high, causing a variety of diseases. The normal blood pressure is about 120/80 for young people, the first figure (120) referring to the systolic pressure and the second figure (80) referring to the diastolic pressure.
Recent studies suggest that magnesium has an important role in regulating blood pressure (Dean, 2007). A diet with plenty of green vegetables, which are good sources of magnesium, help to lower blood pressure. According to the DASH study (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, 2003), hypertension could be significantly lowered by a diet high in magnesium, potassium and calcium. The study further indicates that the higher intake of magnesium, the lower is the risk of hypertension. Dr. Dean Carolyn in her book, The Magnesium Miracle, (2007) says: “They call magnesium the ideal drug: it is safe, cheap, and simple to use, with a wide therapeutic range, a short half-life and little or no tendency toward drug interaction.”
BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS IN ADULTS
Blood Pressure Level (mmHg)
Categories
Normal Pre-hypertension High Blood Pressure Stage 1 Hypertension Stage 2 Hypertension
Systolic < 120 and 120-139 140-159 160
Diastolic < 80 or 80-89 or 90-99 or 100
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION?
The following factors may be responsible for hypertension: High salt intake
Insufficient calcium, potassium, and magnesium Aging. Genetics and a family history Chronic kidney disease Vitamin D deficiency, High consumption of alcohol ,Stress Adrenal and thyroid problems Smoking Obesity, Diabetes, Lack of physical activity
A deadly disease, hypertension may occur without prior warning. It is commonly termed as a ‘silent killer’ or ‘sleeping with the killer’. Hypertension is either primary or secondary in its origin. In the case of primary hypertension, which is very common, there is no single easily identifiable cause.
On the other hand, secondary hypertension can be triggered by diseases or medical conditions such as obesity, diet, smoking, cholesterol and excessive intake of salt. The major cause of secondary hypertension is related to magnesium deficiency (Sircus, 2007) Research indicates that magnesium deficiency is associated with coronary heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome (WHO 2009). Although hypertension is not a good sign from the viewpoint of health, there are instances where it is beneficial for the blood pressure to be a little higher than normal. This is especially true of elderly people.
The increased pressure in their rigid blood vessels helps to drive sufficient blood to the head and extremities. In such a situation, according to Dr. Carolyn Dean, it is not advisable to lower their blood pressure since dizziness or a fall could result. Rather than taking drugs under such circumstances, the best solution would be to take magnesium, do regular exercise, reduce stress and lose weight. (In some extreme cases such as very high/low blood pressure doctors advice is needed.) Doctors control blood pressure by prescribing drugs. If one drug does not work they prescribe another, and then another until there is none left to try out. Among the favorite drugs doctors prescribe is a diuretic as it is supposed to help flush out water and salt from the body under the assumption that less water means less salt, and so this will lower blood pressure.
The truth is that less water would tend to dehydrate the patient and thicken the blood, besides predisposing the blood to clot. In fact, dehydration constricts blood vessels and causes hypertension. Clearly, the solution to hypertension is not drugs, which often do more harm than good. The solution for hypertension is magnesium. Magnesium is safe and has no side effects. Magnesium deficiency is associated with tight vessels, causing spasm, and thus leading to hypertension.
Dr Dean (2007) reported that, in a case study, it was the diuretic that depleted serum magnesium level in a female patient. She was in the hospital with severe side effects such as weakness and an overt psychosis with paranoid delusions. A large dose of intravenous magnesium was given and her symptoms disappeared within 24 hours. As a remedy, magnesium has the capacity to eliminate anxiety, depression and helps to relax muscles.