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Suggest Treatment For Prehypertension And High BP
Question: Hi there,
I'm a 34 year old male - slightly overweight, but trying to eat right and be very active. I've had some prehypertension issues in the past, and my doctor put me on a few supplements (fish oil and garlic) that have helped.
In addition to those, I've also started some other supplements to help, most notably celery seed extract (acts similarly to calcium channel blockers/diuretics), a bonito fish peptides product called PeptACE (which acts as an ACE inhibitor), hibiscus extract as well as tea (ACE), and olive leaf extract (ACE).
I feel great and my BP last I took it was pretty well under control (normal sometimes, a bit prehypertensive others, but always reasonable).
My concern is if I ever had to discontinue these supplements. For example, before surgery, a lot of these say discontinue two weeks prior. I know with actual BP meds, discontinuing them can be dangerous and cause a BP spike. Is there a risk of becoming completely dependent on these things or having a dangerous rebound effect when going off of them?
Also, if you do have a rebound effect, is this a permanent phenomenon, or does your body learn to adapt without the supplements/medications again?
I guess I'm worried that even if the compounds are natural, my body could somehow become dependent on them and unable to function without.
(I'm not just relying on supplements, by the way - I'm exercising a lot, trying to watch my diet, and trying to lose some weight as well in addition to other healthy habits [lots of water, veggies, etc.]).
Finally, an unrelated question. I recently started wearing a fitness watch for most of the day. I leave it reasonably tight, but can easily insert my index finger completely between the watch band and my wrist even though the fit is snug and there's not a lot of movement there (it doesn't feel uncomfortable, but does feel just slightly tight). Is there any danger from a snug watch as far as raising BP? (I've tried one notch looser, and it moves around a bit too much for my liking.)
Thanks for all your help!
I'm a 34 year old male - slightly overweight, but trying to eat right and be very active. I've had some prehypertension issues in the past, and my doctor put me on a few supplements (fish oil and garlic) that have helped.
In addition to those, I've also started some other supplements to help, most notably celery seed extract (acts similarly to calcium channel blockers/diuretics), a bonito fish peptides product called PeptACE (which acts as an ACE inhibitor), hibiscus extract as well as tea (ACE), and olive leaf extract (ACE).
I feel great and my BP last I took it was pretty well under control (normal sometimes, a bit prehypertensive others, but always reasonable).
My concern is if I ever had to discontinue these supplements. For example, before surgery, a lot of these say discontinue two weeks prior. I know with actual BP meds, discontinuing them can be dangerous and cause a BP spike. Is there a risk of becoming completely dependent on these things or having a dangerous rebound effect when going off of them?
Also, if you do have a rebound effect, is this a permanent phenomenon, or does your body learn to adapt without the supplements/medications again?
I guess I'm worried that even if the compounds are natural, my body could somehow become dependent on them and unable to function without.
(I'm not just relying on supplements, by the way - I'm exercising a lot, trying to watch my diet, and trying to lose some weight as well in addition to other healthy habits [lots of water, veggies, etc.]).
Finally, an unrelated question. I recently started wearing a fitness watch for most of the day. I leave it reasonably tight, but can easily insert my index finger completely between the watch band and my wrist even though the fit is snug and there's not a lot of movement there (it doesn't feel uncomfortable, but does feel just slightly tight). Is there any danger from a snug watch as far as raising BP? (I've tried one notch looser, and it moves around a bit too much for my liking.)
Thanks for all your help!
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Thank you for your question on HCM!
I carefully reviewed your supplements regimen, and would like to explain that they really have beneficial effects on controlling blood pressure, lowering blood cholesterol and are a source of antioxidants.
But they can hardly be a substitute for any well-known high blood pressure medications. Several components of your supplements regimen are common components of our daily diet (garlic, celery, olives, sea food), so they are our "permanent natural therapy".
You don't have to be afraid of any potential side effects when stopping before surgery or elsewhere, and some of them will continue being present in your diet and exert their modest effect.
Remember, there is not any proven rebound effect, which can arise by their withdrawal.
You life style (physical activity, healthy diet, weight reduction, etc is as effective as, or even more than those supplements in controlling your coronary risk factors.
So, keep going your right way!
Regarding your fitness watch, I would say that there is nothing danger keeping it slightly tight, as far as it doesn't interfere with your hand blood supply (check your radial artery pulse to assure).
So just relax! There is nothing to worry about.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Thank you for your question on HCM!
I carefully reviewed your supplements regimen, and would like to explain that they really have beneficial effects on controlling blood pressure, lowering blood cholesterol and are a source of antioxidants.
But they can hardly be a substitute for any well-known high blood pressure medications. Several components of your supplements regimen are common components of our daily diet (garlic, celery, olives, sea food), so they are our "permanent natural therapy".
You don't have to be afraid of any potential side effects when stopping before surgery or elsewhere, and some of them will continue being present in your diet and exert their modest effect.
Remember, there is not any proven rebound effect, which can arise by their withdrawal.
You life style (physical activity, healthy diet, weight reduction, etc is as effective as, or even more than those supplements in controlling your coronary risk factors.
So, keep going your right way!
Regarding your fitness watch, I would say that there is nothing danger keeping it slightly tight, as far as it doesn't interfere with your hand blood supply (check your radial artery pulse to assure).
So just relax! There is nothing to worry about.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks so much for your help! A few followups/clarifications, if you don't mind.
I'm relieved to hear you're not concerned about rebound or long-term effects in relation to my blood pressure.
Some of these are standardized to a certain amount of active components (for example, the celery seed I take is standardized to 85% 3nB, which is the active component), but I'm guessing your thoughts are still the same and that this is a natural therapy that shouldn't be dangerous. Similarly, the bonito peptides are standardized to a high amount amount of peptides.
I'm also assuming the same case can be said for the blood thinning nature of these foods? (In other words, my blood won't get "thick" if I were to stop for a few weeks?)
Thanks again for the clarifications/reassurances as to ongoing natural therapies in an attempt to avoid medications in the future if possible!
I won't worry about the watch - I just wanted to make sure! And thanks for the encouragement of the healthy lifestyle - I'm trying my best!
I'm relieved to hear you're not concerned about rebound or long-term effects in relation to my blood pressure.
Some of these are standardized to a certain amount of active components (for example, the celery seed I take is standardized to 85% 3nB, which is the active component), but I'm guessing your thoughts are still the same and that this is a natural therapy that shouldn't be dangerous. Similarly, the bonito peptides are standardized to a high amount amount of peptides.
I'm also assuming the same case can be said for the blood thinning nature of these foods? (In other words, my blood won't get "thick" if I were to stop for a few weeks?)
Thanks again for the clarifications/reassurances as to ongoing natural therapies in an attempt to avoid medications in the future if possible!
I won't worry about the watch - I just wanted to make sure! And thanks for the encouragement of the healthy lifestyle - I'm trying my best!
Brief Answer:
Those supplements should be your "permanent accompagnateur"
Detailed Answer:
Hi again!
I would say that alternative medicine (herbal medicine) will always remain amazing. You can achieve desirable effects with minimal adverse reactions, respecting thus the natural way of dealing with your health.
Nobody would have doubts about the undisputed beneficial effects of medicinal plants (as they are the precursors for most of the modern processed drugs).
Nevertheless, pharmacological studies about their properties are much less elaborated (fewer studies, with small numbers of individuals), than in the case of current processed drugs.
I would like to reassure you again that no any serious adverse effects would occur if you decide to stop temporarily your supplements (no randomized controlled studies to date).
When considering a healthy diet, this implies also the presence of such supplements (garlic, olive oil, celery extracts, sea based foods, etc). So, if you keep going your way of cardiac risk factors prevention and a healthy living, those supplements will be your "permanent accompagnateur".
Wish you a good health! Dr. Iliri
Those supplements should be your "permanent accompagnateur"
Detailed Answer:
Hi again!
I would say that alternative medicine (herbal medicine) will always remain amazing. You can achieve desirable effects with minimal adverse reactions, respecting thus the natural way of dealing with your health.
Nobody would have doubts about the undisputed beneficial effects of medicinal plants (as they are the precursors for most of the modern processed drugs).
Nevertheless, pharmacological studies about their properties are much less elaborated (fewer studies, with small numbers of individuals), than in the case of current processed drugs.
I would like to reassure you again that no any serious adverse effects would occur if you decide to stop temporarily your supplements (no randomized controlled studies to date).
When considering a healthy diet, this implies also the presence of such supplements (garlic, olive oil, celery extracts, sea based foods, etc). So, if you keep going your way of cardiac risk factors prevention and a healthy living, those supplements will be your "permanent accompagnateur".
Wish you a good health! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks again for the detailed and helpful advice and easing any worries I might have!
I have one more question related to blood pressure I wanted to ask if you don't mind.
I only take my BP the week or so before my doctor appointments as I have anxiety and, when I have the equipment at home, I find myself taking it too often/stressing out about it. (I tried for quite some time to moderate this, but in the end found I was much happier forgetting about it with no equipment in-house to tempt me and just retrieving the equipment and taking several readings to get an idea before an appointment [as being anxious tends to raise it in the office]).
Anyways, onto my question. Sometimes, especially at night or when I'm resting, I can "feel" my pulse, and it seems stronger than other times. This can happen on its own, or say, when my hands are clasped together. When this happens, does it necessarily mean my BP is elevated, or can you just sometimes feel pulse more strongly and BP remain normal?
Thank you!
I have one more question related to blood pressure I wanted to ask if you don't mind.
I only take my BP the week or so before my doctor appointments as I have anxiety and, when I have the equipment at home, I find myself taking it too often/stressing out about it. (I tried for quite some time to moderate this, but in the end found I was much happier forgetting about it with no equipment in-house to tempt me and just retrieving the equipment and taking several readings to get an idea before an appointment [as being anxious tends to raise it in the office]).
Anyways, onto my question. Sometimes, especially at night or when I'm resting, I can "feel" my pulse, and it seems stronger than other times. This can happen on its own, or say, when my hands are clasped together. When this happens, does it necessarily mean my BP is elevated, or can you just sometimes feel pulse more strongly and BP remain normal?
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
It is preferable and advisable to check BP periodically, as it is included in the screening process of coronary risk factors.
I recommend you to keep checking regularly your BP values periodically. But, this should not turn into a source of anxiety!
Regarding your palpitations (your stronger pulse feeling), it seems to be caused simply from anxiety (at night or when resting), or from a somewhat increased cardiac afterload, as clasping hands is a kind of hand griping test).
Just relax! It is a normal reaction! It has nothing to do with an elevated BP status.
Nothing to worry about!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
It is preferable and advisable to check BP periodically, as it is included in the screening process of coronary risk factors.
I recommend you to keep checking regularly your BP values periodically. But, this should not turn into a source of anxiety!
Regarding your palpitations (your stronger pulse feeling), it seems to be caused simply from anxiety (at night or when resting), or from a somewhat increased cardiac afterload, as clasping hands is a kind of hand griping test).
Just relax! It is a normal reaction! It has nothing to do with an elevated BP status.
Nothing to worry about!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks so much for the reassurance that feeling my pulse more strongly isn't something I need to worry about in relation to BP. I've read you can't feel high BP, but I didn't know if that extended to feelings of strong pulse or not. I'm glad you feel like they're not related.
As far as BP checks, I didn't mean to say I never check it. I generally have a doctor's appointment at least 2-3 times a year, and before each appointment, I try to get several readings for her at different times of the day so I know where I'm at.
I did try to keep a BP monitor in the house and take readings a few times a week, but as I said, that lead to anxiety, especially if I got a high reading. (I'd get into a cycle of checking it and rechecking it more times than is healthy to the point I wasn't enjoying life). So I decided it'd be a lot healthier for me to evaluate it a few times a year for a few days, but not have the equipment/temptation the rest of the time. (And I find myself much happier this way.)
Thanks again for all your help. I very, very much appreciate it!
As far as BP checks, I didn't mean to say I never check it. I generally have a doctor's appointment at least 2-3 times a year, and before each appointment, I try to get several readings for her at different times of the day so I know where I'm at.
I did try to keep a BP monitor in the house and take readings a few times a week, but as I said, that lead to anxiety, especially if I got a high reading. (I'd get into a cycle of checking it and rechecking it more times than is healthy to the point I wasn't enjoying life). So I decided it'd be a lot healthier for me to evaluate it a few times a year for a few days, but not have the equipment/temptation the rest of the time. (And I find myself much happier this way.)
Thanks again for all your help. I very, very much appreciate it!
Brief Answer:
You are going on the right way.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX!
It is true that BP may be considered a slowly insidious killer. In chronic hypertensive individuals commonly are tolerated much higher BP values (as an abnormal setup of baroreceptors, responsible for controlling BP values through hemodynamics modulation, does occur).
Nevertheless, in other normal cases such as yours, without any known clinical history of hypertension, a variety of symptoms may be present in a hypothetical case of high BP bouts (even a headache, dizziness, nausea, extreme fatigue, sometimes palpitations, etc).
But, returning to the "strong pulse feeling" issue, I would say that an abnormally high BP values is more commonly associated with an increased systemic blood vessels resistance that any increases in systolic stroke volume or cardiac output.
There isn't a clear cut point, judging from just a pulse palpation.
The most important thing is you are on the right way of controlling your potential coronary risk factors.
You are doing an excellent job with your diet and herbal supplements regimen. You are very aware about your BP issues, and are following a healthy life-style. These things really matters.
Wish you good health! Dr. Iliri
You are going on the right way.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX!
It is true that BP may be considered a slowly insidious killer. In chronic hypertensive individuals commonly are tolerated much higher BP values (as an abnormal setup of baroreceptors, responsible for controlling BP values through hemodynamics modulation, does occur).
Nevertheless, in other normal cases such as yours, without any known clinical history of hypertension, a variety of symptoms may be present in a hypothetical case of high BP bouts (even a headache, dizziness, nausea, extreme fatigue, sometimes palpitations, etc).
But, returning to the "strong pulse feeling" issue, I would say that an abnormally high BP values is more commonly associated with an increased systemic blood vessels resistance that any increases in systolic stroke volume or cardiac output.
There isn't a clear cut point, judging from just a pulse palpation.
The most important thing is you are on the right way of controlling your potential coronary risk factors.
You are doing an excellent job with your diet and herbal supplements regimen. You are very aware about your BP issues, and are following a healthy life-style. These things really matters.
Wish you good health! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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