Dr. Tinetti and her team have been looking into whether anti-hypertensive drugs might be causing problems. They followed 5,000 older people (average age: 80) with hypertension for up to three years, and the results of their study are disturbing: The risk of serious fall injuries — fractured bones, brain injuries or dislocated joints — was significantly higher among those who took anti-hypertensives than among those who didn’t.

Over the three-year follow-up, 9 percent of the subjects were badly hurt by falls, which can have a devastating effect. “The outcomes are just as serious as the strokes and heart attacks for which we give these medications,” Dr. Tinetti said in an interview. “Serious fall injuries are as likely to lead to death or lasting functional disability.”

Does it make sense to look at natural alternatives to control hypertension? Well, obviously that is so.

What are some of the steps we can take?

1. Lose that excess weight

2. Exercise – even little bits will help

3. Food – Adopt the DASH diet – dietary approach to stop hypertension.

Explained in detail in the post “What should I eat”?

4. Spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. Garlic. Potassium rich foods such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, orange juice, potatoes, bananas, kidney beans, peas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon. Dark chocolate 15g/day.

5. Avoid tobacco

6. Reduce stress – Meditation, Ta’i Chi, etc

7. Supplements – CoEnzyme Q10, Omega 3, Hawthorn.

Simple, natural alternatives are available. Most are free of cost. And free of side effects, too!

Images courtesy Google