The blood pressure becomes elevated when larger than normal amounts of water (and sodium) are held in the body, a situation that invariably occurs during the alarm reaction to stress. In this case, the quantity of blood plasma, or the blood volume, increases. On the other hand, arteries can become smaller when tension causes the muscular walls to contract or when they are plugged with cholesterol, compressed in beds of fat, or shrunk by scar tissue that may be calcified. Most persistent high blood pressure results from a combination of these factors.

In order to form urine, the blood pressure in the capillary coils of the kidneys is already unusually high; therefore when an elevated blood pressure is superimposed on such tiny, strained capillaries, they can easily be damaged. Simultaneously high blood pressure forces the heart to pump against a greater resistance, putting it under constant strain. For these reasons, hypertension is associated with and often a symptom of diseases of both the heart and the kidneys. When prolonged high blood pressure occurs without apparent damage to the heart and/or kidneys, it is spoken of as essential hypertension.

The usual symptoms of high blood pressure are headaches, dizziness, noises or ringing in the ears, and, sooner or later, hemorrhages in the eyes. When the marked elevations of blood pressure that occur normally are superimposed on high blood pressure, capillaries can easily break and result in a heart attack or cerebral hemorrhage (stroke). It has been suggested that the brain is particularly susceptible to hemorrhages because it is imprisoned in the skull and cannot expand when the blood volume increases or heightened pressure drives excessive fluids into its tissues.

Moderately high blood pressure is 150 to 180 systolic over 90 to 100 diastolic. Pressures above 180 systolic and 100 diastolic bring grave danger of blood vessels breaking. A minor break can cause a clot to form and perhaps cut off circulation to millions of cells, whereas a major break may result in paralysis or death.

Effect Of Kidney Damage

One function of the kidneys is to control blood pressure. When oxygen is inadequate, they appear to secrete a hormone-like "pressor factor" which elevates the blood pressure, thus increasing the oxygen supply. Because vitamin E decreases the need for oxygen, it is especially important for persons with high blood pressure. Deficiencies of cholin or of vitamin C or E cause hemorrhages in the kidneys and bring oxygen starvation to cells formerly depending on the interrupted blood supply thus such deficiencies may stimulate the pressor factor and elevate the blood pressure.

The Effect Of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a major cause of high blood pressure in the United States; and autopsies have shown that the degree of hypertension during life parallels the extent of cholesterol deposition in the kidney arteries. High blood pressure can be produced in animals merely by tying threads around arteries in the kidneys, thus simulating blood vessels in human kidneys plugged with fatty substances. The kidney arteries are so tiny that relatively little cholesterol can reduce the oxygen supply and release the "pressor factor" thus the blood pressure can become elevated while the blood cholesterol is still normal. This mechanism, triggered by a lack of oxygen, can be delayed by giving vitamin E, which reduces the oxygen requirement.

Conversely, high blood pressure hastens the deposition of fatty substances and makes atherosclerosis much worse; hence almost twice as many people with high blood pressure die of heart attacks as do individuals whose blood pressure is normal.

Hypertension Of Emotional Origin

Any form of stress, even such a simple thing as low blood sugar, can increase the blood pressure. ACTH or cortisone medication, simulating the outpouring of hormones during stress, invariably elevates the blood pressure, and thus prepares the body for "fight or flight." Such emotional stresses as anger and fear, which particularly make us want to fight or escape, cause the pressure to rise by the contraction of tiny muscles in the arterial walls; and such hypertension continues as long as the emotions exist provided the adrenals do not become exhausted. If the emotions causing it are expressed, however, the blood pressure subsides.

The prolonged stress of accumulated unexpressed negative emotions is a major cause of essential hypertension. During psychotherapy, such high blood pressure usually drops to normal as soon as "hostilities" are expressed. In any case where essential hypertension is not corrected by adequate nutrition, psychosomatic causes should be looked for.

Strokes

Surely no tragedy is so great as the degeneration of a brilliant mind following a stroke. To prevent such a living death, certain steps can be taken immediately if the blood pressure is found to be high. Only small frequent meals should be eaten. The cholin and potassium intakes may be increased and sodium reduced. All nutrients needed to meet the demands of stress, to lower blood cholesterol and to rebuild kidney tissue should be generously supplied. Because even a slight lack of vitamin C or E allows blood vessels to break easily, large amounts of these nutrients may prevent a cerebral hemorrhage. As much stress as possible should be removed, and some means found to blow off steam.

High blood pressure can slow up the blood flow to the extent that oxygen consumption is low and the need for vitamin E is increased. Because this vitamin decreases the oxygen requirement, if a hemorrhage does occur, cells that might otherwise be destroyed may survive. Since vitamin E can increase the strength of the heartbeat, it sometimes elevates the blood pressure temporarily if introduced in large amounts; therefore when hypertension is severe, no more than 300 units should be given at first and the amount gradually increased to 600 units daily.

Usually one stroke follows another because the conditions that led to the first remain unchanged. Yet marked improvement has resulted when vitamin E has been given, even long after a stroke has occurred. A completely adequate diet started immediately can sometimes restore health.

About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a Penis Enlargement Products company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of Natural Penis Enlargement This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.