HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure(hypertension) is blood pressure higher than normal one which is considered 120/80(systolic over diastolic). The higher the blood pressure level, the more risk you have for heart disease and stroke. When left untreated, it damage to your brain, kidneys, and eyes.

Are there early signs of high blood pressure?

No. High blood pressure can be very dangerous because there are no obvious signs in the early stages. By the time your blood pressure has become severe enough to show physical signs, it could be lethal. Therefore, all patients are encouraged to make the habit of going for annual checkups. They can do blood tests and blood pressure checks to identify hypertension early. Then how to manage high blood pressure with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)?

How TCM can help you alleviate high blood pressure?

From the perspective of TCM, the cause of high blood pressure include:

1. Decline of heart function(coronary heart disease or coronary arteriosclerosis, and cellular ischemia and hypoxia due to the decline of cardiac pump output)；
2. Capillary narrowing;
3. Arteriosclerosis due to high blood sugar, blood lipids, and cholesterol in poor diet;
4. Increased blood circulation resistance due to long-term stomach distension and indigestion cause;
5. Other diseases such as Tumors or kidney function problems.

According to the causes, hypertension can be divided into primary and secondary. Most patients with essential hypertension, after treatment with TCM, can effectively reduce the use of western medicine, or stop relying on long-term use of antihypertensive drugs.

The treatment of hypertension with TCM is not simply to lower blood pressure, but to treat hypertension fundamentally by taking account into patients’ constitution and symptoms. According to the report of the World Health Organization(WHO), acupuncture can more effectively treat essential hypertension which the average blood pressure can be reduced by 8mmHg.

Chinese medicine has been used for thousands of years around the world. Our TCM doctors have seen a lot of success with patients who are suffering from high blood pressure:

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  TCM treats the root cause, not simply lowers blood pressure.

Case 1:

A patient came to our clinic because of dizziness and discomfort. We found that his blood pressure was high and he had no history of hypertension in the past. We prescribed him herbal medicine for warming yang and diuresis and invigorating spleen and eliminating dampness including Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala and Guizhi. After two weeks, the symptoms were relieved and blood pressure returned to normal. Three months later, he made a follow-up visit and his self-test blood pressure has been stable.

Case 2:

A patient with a history of high blood pressure has been taking antihypertensive drugs but his blood pressure is unstable. When he came to the clinic, his blood pressure was high accompanied by dizziness and fatigue. We prescribed him herbal medicine for resolving phlegm and blood stasis including Pinellia, Tianma, Alisma, Cassia, Moutan bark . After two weeks, the symptoms improved, and the self-measured blood pressure was basically normal.

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  TCM improves symptoms and prevents complications.

Case:

A patient suffering from high blood pressure and proteinuria after childbirth has been taking western medicine to lower blood pressure. When she came to the clinic, she felt fatigue, neck and waist pain. After diagnosed, we prescribed him herbal medicine for invigorating Qi, spleen and tonifying kidney including tragacanth, Atractylodes macrocephala, Chinese yam, and Sangjisheng. After three weeks, the symptoms improved, and the proteinuria decreased. Five weeks later, the patient took less antihypertensive drugs. After more than six weeks of observation, the blood pressure was stable and no rebound was seen. 

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  Advantages of TCM in reducing blood pressure

Comparatively, the antihypertensive effect of TCM is not as quickly as western medicine, it has been proved that TCM is effective for reducing blood pressure:

1. Regulating blood pressure;
2. Relieving various symptoms of patients, including reactions after taking antihypertensive drugs;
3. Preventing the complications of high blood pressure.

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  Here are the following treatment plans you can expect to receive:

Customized TCM diet plan – This is nutritional advice that will help you make better-informed choices on what you consume, which will inevitably lead to an improvement in your high blood pressure. Our TCM doctors can also coach you on what foods to avoid.

Herbal medicine  – Several Chinese herbs have been proven to lower symptoms of hypertension, but the ratio of herbs is strictly on a case-by-case basis. Each patient and their high blood pressure levels are different, so our TCM doctors can find the perfect blend of herbal ingredients for the most optimal results. The article ” Best Chinese Herbs for High Blood Pressure” 

Acupuncture – This helps with stress and eases away any pain and discomfort the patient might be feeling. Thus, improving symptoms of high blood pressure.

Exercise plan – TMC doctors may recommend light exercise like Tai Chi or Qi Gong are renowned for their stress relief, much like Western yoga or meditation.

How to prevent high blood pressure naturally

By living a healthy lifestyle, you will be able to keep your blood pressure in the healthy range. TCM specialists and western doctors alike can give fantastic advice that you can implement in your lifestyle and keep hypertension at bay.

To manage stress, engage in regular exercises. Adopt a balanced approach to work and family life. In addition, relax whenever possible to ease the tension whenever feelings of stress arise since stress may aggravate your blood pressure.

Eat a healthy diet

Healthy eating can protect you from high blood pressure and its complications. Start eating/preparing healthy meals full of nutrition with fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, potassium, and fiber.

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan greatly helps people lower their blood pressure.

Advice:  You should start lowering their salt intake. Salt causes water retention, which will, in turn, raise blood pressure. A salty diet may lead to other health concerns such as kidney stones as well. Avoiding any greasy, fried, or fatty foods is also recommended.

Keep yourself at a healthy weight

You may be at risk of high blood pressure if you are overweight or obese. You can talk with your TCM physician about ways to reach a healthy weight. Here is the TCM ways to loss weight and there are articles about how to loss weight with acupuncture.

Be physically active

The physical activity is good for your health. It is not only a great way to manage your weight, but also lower your blood pressure.

It is recommended that 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week for adults, while children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day. Do it with a friend or with fun music as accompaniment, it helps pass the time.

Do not smoke

Smoking not only gives you bad breath but also raises your blood pressure and puts you at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Visit your doctor for a consultation and they will be able to provide get tips and resources to help you kick the habit.

Limit how much alcohol you drink limit

If you’re a liquor lover, There are some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that alcohol can raise your blood pressure, which puts you at risk for heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. The good news is that you don’t have to quit drinking entirely. You just have to make sure you drink in moderation. Men should have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day, and women should have no more than 1 alcoholic drink per day.

Get enough sleep

Health over wealth. You should never miss sleep hours because getting enough rest is crucial to your health. Sleep helps your body: repair blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, and balance hormones. Not getting enough sleep, on the other hand, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Why choose Shanghai Medical Clinic?

At Shanghai Medical Clinic in Dubai, we understand that each patient is different. Your body type, medical history, and allergies are unique so we make sure to diagnose your symptoms carefully.

Our TCM doctors are registered as TCAM healthcare professionals in Dubai which is licensed by Department of Health Abu Dhabi. We understand the advantages and limitations of both eastern and western practices. Patients who take up our services can rest easy knowing that Shanghai Medical Clinic will wield our medical knowledge expertly and give each individual the best medical treatments possible. So be assured whether your ailments are physical or mental, our highly experienced doctors will have a solution for you. If you are on the lookout for the best TCM clinic in Dubai, look no further!