* Deep breathing releases endorphins which are the body's natural painkillers. This can help relieve general aches and pains, and relax tense muscles.
* It reduces stress. When we are stressed, we tend to take quick shallow breathes. Some studies suggest that shallow fast breathing is linked to higher blood pressure. On the other hand, research at the National Institutes of Health shows that breathing slowly for just ten minutes a day is enough to help some people lower their blood pressure naturally without pills or supplements.
* Deep breathing is a quick and easy way to relax and manage stress. It's also an energy booster. After a session of deep breathing, you'll feel invigorating and even euphoric.

Sit in a comfortable position. Take a few seconds to relax then, take a deep breath through your nose. Imagine or visualize that you are breathing into a balloon with the wide part resting in your stomach. Imagine that you are fully inflating the bottom of the balloon, and gradually bring the air up to your upper chest.

Breathe slowly through your nose pushing the air into your belly. At this point, you should see your tummy rise . Breathe in slowly to the count of five, hold your breath for the count of five and then, breath out through your mouth to the count of five. You can work on building up to the count of 10, 20 or even higher as you progress over time.

After you become comfortable with this deep breathing technique exercises, try to make it a habit. It is something you can do at any time and almost anywhere. Do it while driving, especially in heavy traffic, it will make you calm and relaxed. You can do it while sitting at your desk working, it will give you a burst of energy and clear your mind. Do it in any stressful situation, and do it at night before going to bed, you'll sleep a lot better.

Among the AAP cholesterol busting recommendations is the one to give cholesterol lowering  statin drugs to children 8 years old and older, and to feed low fat  milk to 1 year old babies.

I find it inconceivable that the mainstream medical community could advocate the administering of prescription drugs  that are known to have deleterious side effects to children when the natural solution is in simple lifestyle changes.

It seems to me that we have become a nation of quick health fixes, completely controlled by the pharmaceutical industry. Have doctors simply become so undaunted that they’ve just settled into the “band aid” mentality, or have they been manipulated by the drug companies to the point where their good judgment has been impaired?

When I was a child, I used to hear my mom say that an “ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” Well, giving  young children  statin drugs does not provide not even an ounce of cure since these drugs don’t address the root cause of the disease; hence, they have to be taken for life. Furthermore, the possible side effects of these drugs are plenty, and extremely deleterious to one’s health and wellbeing.

In 2004, Mike Adams published an article at Natural News in which he lists all of the known side effect of statin drugs.

•    Nausea
•    Irritability and short tempers
•    Hostility
•    Homicidal impulses
•    Rapid loss of mental clarity
•    Amnesia
•    Kidney failure
•    Diarrhea
•    Muscle aching and weakness
•    Tingling or cramping in the legs
•    Inability to walk
•    Problems sleeping
•    Constipation
•    Impaired muscle formation
•    Erectile dysfunction
•    Temperature regulation problems
•    Nerve damage
•    Mental confusion
•    Liver damage and abnormalities
•    Neuropathy
•    Destruction of CoQ10, a vital nutrient for health.

Why would anyone want a child to pay such a high price to lower cholesterol when simple, fun and healthy lifestyle changes can do the magic cheaply, and permanently?  

There is no denying that childhood obesity is an escalating epidemic that needs to be addressed urgently;  however, subjecting young  children to taking cholesterol lowering drugs is certainly neither the cure for high cholesterol, nor the answer to the obesity epidemic that is plaguing our children.

The answer is in prevention. We need to address the root cause of the problem early, right now while they are still children, and we can instill in them healthy lifestyle habits that will follow them into adulthood.

The study followed more than 10,000 women for a period of five years, and the conclusion suggests that women who routinely got less than seven hours of sleep each day were 42 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure as compared to women who said they slept seven hours a night on a regular basis.

Although there's been a lot of focus lately on the relationship between high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and reduced sleep caused by disorders such as sleep apnea, and/or lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol drinking, smoking, or being overweight. The conclusion has been that the disorders, and/or lifestyle factors are responsible for the poor sleep.

However, what's noteworthy about this new  study is that for the first time it shows that lack of adequate amount of sleep highly increases the chance of developing high blood pressure even in the absence of any health condition or inadequate lifestyle factors.

The researchers think that lack of sufficient sleep contributes to high blood pressure by keeping the nervous system in a state of hyperactivity. This in turn affects other bodily systems, including the heart and blood vessels. 

The study did not reveal a clear relationship between amount of sleep and blood pressure among men. However, the research team did conclude that more studies are needed to confirm wheteh sleep duration, itself, affects blood pressure levels, and why these effects might be different in women and men.

It appears that our ancestors were right on target. Today, there are scientific studies that support garlic's beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. A recent study conducted at  the University of Alabama at Birmingham shows that when the compounds in garlic interact with red blood cells, they boost the body's own production of a compound known as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) that relaxes the blood vessels and in doing so, it increases blood flow, and prevents the formation of blood clots, and oxidative damage.

In the study, rats were given a concentration of garlic equivalent to eating 2 cloves. The resulting H2S production caused up to a 72%  blood vessel relaxation in the rats' arteries which in turn, helped lower blood pressure. By relaxing the blood vessels, garlic can also be attributed to improve the functioning of the cardiovasculasr system. 

Another study conducted at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that when heart attack patients had H2S in their vascular system, it protected them from developing tissue and cell damage which is a common complication from heart attacks.

Research studies indicate that the polysulfide compounds in garlic is what causes the increase in H2S levels. H2S by itself is a flammable gas that has a rotten egg smell. The body produces H2S naturally, but it seems that the levels decrease as the body ages.

It is still not clear whether or not garlic supplements have the same efffect in H2S production as fresh garlic does. Up to now, many garlic supplements focused on the polysulphides in garlic of which allacin has been the one mostly used in supplements. However, these new studies suggest that allacin is only part of the big picture. It is the chemical messenger that is produced when these compounds are metabolized that is important.

Referring to the studies done at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, David Kraus, a physiologist in the Department Of Environmental Health Sciences  said: "This will help us standardize over the counter garlic supplements, and ensure they have the ingredients that produce the key compound". 

Women may have a new reason to control their blood pressure: to help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Researchers today reported that women may be more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if their blood pressure rises substantially over the years.

Based on the findings, "women with increasing blood pressure levels should have their blood sugar (glucose) levels monitored," David Conen, M.D., says in a news release.

Conen is a research fellow at Harvard Medical School, the Harvard School of Public Health, and Boston's Brigham & Women's Hospital.

Blood Pressure Facts

Here are seven basic blood pressure facts:

Potassium plays an a very important role in regulating high blood pressure,  and in this article, Teresita lists some very popular foods that are rich sources of Potassium, as well as some other food that contain compounds which have been proven to have a positive effect on lowering blood pressure.

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Heart diseasese is by far the number one killer worldwide, and yet health experts say, it is one of the simplest diseases to prevent. These simple cures are the hardest thing because they involve a change in lifestyle and daily habits.

Eating healthily is fundamental to circulatory well-being. Studies indicate that people who take the initiative to make positive changes in their diet, get some exercise, lose some weight, avoid smoking, ensure high intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables tend to have a reduced risk of heart disease even if their parents and grandparents have heart disease.

Amanda Ursell, nutritionist author of the book "Healing Foods : The Complete Guide" included top foods that could help lower raised blood pressure. They are:

Bananas
Bananas are low in salt and high in potassium, an ideal food source for people with high blood pressure. The potassium present in bananas appears to help lower blood pressure in several ways. Bananas seems to encourage to excrete salt, and also appears to dilate the blood vessels, increasing their width and reducing the pressure of the blood flow.

Mangoes
Mangoes are a good source of potassium, which is a key mineral for people with high blood pressure. They are also said to counteract the effects of rich, greasy foods, by helping to break down fats and protein. Eaten regularly, mangoes may not only lower high blood pressure but also reduce the risk of both viral infections and tumor growth.

Oily Fish
Research have shown that death from heart disease is less common among those who eat large amounts of oily fish. This has been attributed to omega fatty acids found in the fish. Eating oily fish is also found to reduce the risk of blood clots forming and the risk of plaque forming.

Garlic
Garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure. Ajone, one of the volatile substances that is produced once garlic is crushed, appears to reduce the formation of blood clots. Research has also shown that garlic is able to fight bacteria including Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcer.

Grapes
Being rich in potassium, grapes may help lower raised blood pressure. Grapes are also said to contain salts that purify the blood and cleanse the glands and organs. Grape is also said to have positive effects on liver disorders such as hepatitis and jaundice.

Asparagus
The active ingredients in asparagus include asparagine, asparagose, chelindonic acid, coniferin, and potassium, that cause a diuretic effect. For the treatment of water retention caused by heart failures, and to treat hypertension, doctors commonly prescribe diuretic drugs. In the past asparagus was used to help relieve symptoms and to prevent complications such as heart disease and migraines.

Celery
The phytonutrient phthalid is found in celery. Phythalides are capable of regulating the hormones that control blood pressure in the body. Tests on small numbers of people with raised blood pressure revealed that treatment with an extract of celery containing the active phthalid constituent reduced the severity of the hormonal problem in the majority of those studied.

Prunes
A prune is a dried plum that has been processed without removing the stone. Eating prunes regularly helps maintain good blood pressure levels. Prunes are an excellent source of potassium.

For years, the medical community has labeled high blood pressure as the Silent Killer&. There's no doubt that high blood pressure is a serious disease that can go undetected because of it's almost lack of symptom. Fortunately for adults, checking blood pressure is a routine test that's done in most medical interventions.

However, there's another silent killer that may lurking inside the body, and which goes undetected because it's not routinely tested for, even in the face of some of the diseases it is responsible for. This silent killer is none other than chronic internal inflammation, and it is at the root of most major degenerative diseases. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, these chronic diseases affect 125 million Americans. This means, that in an average family of three, at least one person has a chronic disease caused by inflammation.

Normally, inflammation is the body's first aid response to harm caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, environmental toxin, or an injury. All of us, at one time or another, have experienced how our body reacts when we get a cut, bruise a part of the body, or get an infection on the skin. The injured area is usually characterized by pain, swelling, redness and heat.

When the body suffers any kind of injury, or harm, due to a foreign agent, it responds immediately to repair the damage. In many cases, this reaction goes undetected because the symptoms are barely noticeable. Once the body heals itself, it usually reverts to a non-emergency state, and the inflammation process turns itself off.

Inflammation becomes chronic when the body has to continuously fight off harmful invaders such as, hidden food allergens, chronic stress, hidden infections, environmental toxins. These invaders trigger a raging, unseen fire in the form of inflammation deep in your cells, and tissues.

Scientists are now looking at chronic internal inflammation that does not turn itself off, and they're linking it to many health conditions such as: type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart disease, stroke, alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and many others

Chronic internal inflammation has become an epidemic in America. Not only is it putting a stress on the health care system, but a large number of Americans are seeing their quality of life diminished, and their financial resources reduced because they are forced to give up their jobs, and go on permanent disability due to one or more chronic degenerative disease caused by ongoing internal inflammation..

The key to optimal health and disease prevention is to detect chronic inflammation, and treat its root causes promptly and effectively. If you're concerned about your level of inflammation, you should talk to your doctor about testing your level of C-reactive protein(CRP). CRP is found in the blood, and it's a solid indicator of inflammation since studies have shown that chronic inflammation increases the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood.

The more informed you are about the level of inflammation in your system, the more equipped you'll be to address it.

The following article was originally posted at Families.com.

High blood pressure prior to pregnancy can put the pregnant mother at risk for complications. This doesn't mean that complications are certain, but that there is a higher likelihood of complications during pregnancy. If you have high blood pressure, it's best to have it treated and try to bring it down prior to getting pregnant.

The amount of risk is relative to the degree of high blood pressure, which can range from slightly high to severe. The biggest risk is to the mother because very high blood pressure may damage the kidneys. In the baby, there is a risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

If you have high blood pressure and are not yet pregnant, schedule an appointment with your health care provider. Your doctor can help you get your blood pressure under control prior to the pregnancy. Discuss the possibility of hypertension during pregnancy. Also, go over your medications and be sure what you are taking is safe for the baby.

Take a look at your diet and lifestyle to determine what changes need to be made. Dietary changes, such as lowering your sodium intake and eating a healthy diet to lose weight will help get your blood pressure under control. If you smoke, now is the time to quit both for your health and your baby.

If you are already pregnant and you have high blood pressure, see your doctor as soon as possible. Your medication may need to be changed or adjusted. Don't stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval, since this can put you at even greater risk. During the visit, your doctor will discuss steps you can take to help control your high blood pressure and have a healthy pregnancy.

Pre eclampsia is a serious complication during pregnancy. If you have high blood pressure prior to pregnancy, you are at a higher risk of this complication. It is important to avoid this condition if at all possible because the only cure is delivery. This increases the risk of a preterm delivery. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor or midwife will monitor you for pre eclampsia.

The link between high blood pressure and menopause is a bit complex. While there is great indication that blood pressure increases with menopause, there's not a clear understanding of why this happens.

There are many factors that are being considered such as age, and weight gain which happens as women get older. However, recent studies suggest that declining estrogen levels may be the main contributing factor for elevated blood pressure in menopausal women. As an example, pre-menopausal women tend to have lower distolic, and sytolic pressure than men, but as women go into menopause, their systolic pressure increases to become slightly higher than that of men.

Hormone replacement therapy may also contribute to blood pressure increase. Women who are on hormone replacement therapy may experience a slight systolic blood pressure increase. These women are also 25 percent more likely to have high blood pressure than are women who don't take hormone replacement.

For menopausal women who are experiencing slight increase in blood pressure, some simple lifestyle changes can help avoid having to take blood pressure lowering drugs. In addition, there is a large body of evidence that shows that certain foods, and natural supplements are also effective in lowering blood pressure.

The following lifestyle changes are the first line of intervention to lower blood pressure.

Reduce the sodium in your diet.

Increase your physical activity. All it takes are 30 minutes of moderate exercise  3 times a week to experience some blood pressure lowering benefits. You can even break up those 30 minutes in 10 or 15 minutes intervals.

Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Adopt a healthy eating plan such as the DASH diet plan.

Limit alcohol intake to no more than 2 ounces daily

Avoid tobacco use

Kellye Lynn reports former Baltimore Colt player and coach Don Shula came to the University of Maryland to share his experience.

Shula says during his time in Baltimore, he learned he had high blood pressure. It's a diagnosis he's been able to manage with medication and a healthier lifestyle.

With cameras flashing, Shula wasn't in Baltimore to talk football.

The man who played with and later coached the Colts says the game plan now is to raise awareness about high blood pressure.

"On the sideline your blood pressure goes up and down depending on what's happening on the field. I had it checked out and found out I did have high blood pressure," said Shula.

The disease reflects hardening of the blood vessels and represents atherosclerosis and stiffened blood vessels," said Dr. Mandeep Mehra, Chief of cardiology at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine.

Dr. Mehra says the obesity epidemic has contributed to the increasing prevalence of high blood pressure, a problem that affects nearly one in three people in the U.S.

"If your blood pressure is higher than 120 over 80 you have pre-hypertension and a high risk of developing high blood pressure in the near future," said Dr. Mehra.

"A lot of people have hypertension and they feel it's part of their life and I urge them to find out if there's something you can do about it," said Shula.

"Exercise, watch the salt in their diet and stay away from obesity that's critical," said Dr. Mehra.

Stephanie Dampier has lost 35 pounds since January. It's enough to stop taking her high blood pressure medication.

"If it's something I can control with diet and weight loss I'm going to do it," said Dampier.

Coach Shula also lost 32 pounds, but the restaurateur admits the challenge now is keeping them off.

"We came back from a cruise and I was 10 pounds heavier than when I was on the cruise. Cruises are not good to go on if you want to control your diet," said Shula.

Most people who have high blood pressure don't know it because it can strike without symptoms. That's why it's so important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

High blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.

 News Source: WJZ TV - Baltimore