Your Blood Pressure Medication May be Promoting High Blood Pressure & Heart Disease

Current statistics state that as many as 65 million Americans have high blood pressure (hypertension). The current main stay for treating hypertension is the use of medications. The most common types of medications used include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and beta blockers. Though these medications can be helpful in the reduction of blood pressure, their long term use can cause a disruption of the vitamin and mineral balance in the body. Research is now showing that a disruption of certain vitamins and minerals can lead to elevations in blood pressure or an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Below is a list of vitamins and minerals which have been shown to be depleted by blood pressure lowering medications and their potential effects of deficiency:

Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium:
Recent research reveals that low levels of calcium, magnesium, and potassium can lead to elevations in blood pressure. In addition, magnesium deficiency is a contributing factor to elevations in cholesterol.

Zinc:

Zinc deficiencies have been shown to lower an individual’s antioxidant status. Low antioxidant levels have been associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

Coenzyme Q10:

Low levels of coenzyme Q10 have been linked to both high blood pressure as well as congestive heart failure. In addition, CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant.

Folate & Vitamin B6:

These essential B-vitamins reduce the risk of heart disease by converting the toxic chemical homocysteine into harmless byproducts. Elevated homocysteine levels in the blood are as great a risk factor for heart disease as having high cholesterol.

Vitamin B1:

A deficiency of vitamin B1 can cause congestive heart failure as well as muscle soreness, and exercise intolerance. Exercise intolerance could potentially inhibit a person's ability to exercise. This in turn could lead to sedentary activity. Lack of adequate exercise is also a risk factor for heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is vital to healthy collagen production (blood vessel linings). Vitamin C deficiency has been related to elevated cholesterol levels and is necessary to maintain adrenal function through the production of hormones such as corticosteroid and aldosterone.

In summary, there are a number of published scientific studies that illustrate the effects of blood pressure lowering medications on nutritional status in humans. Based on these studies and the functions of the effected nutrients in the body we can logically conclude that taking blood pressure medications over long periods of time may actually increase the risk for heart disease, or at the very least, reduce the benefit from the medication. Because supplementation with these nutrients is safe and cost effective, it would seem prudent for physicians to monitor these nutrient levels with appropriate lab tests and to administer appropriate doses of these vitamins and minerals when deficiencies are identified.

If you are taking a blood pressure lowering medication and would like to learn more about how it may affect your nutritional health Visit: www.essential-nutrients.net/high-blood-pressure.htm

Dr. Peter Osborne, D.C., D.A.C.B.N. is the clinical director of Town Center Wellness in Sugar Land, TX. His practice focuses on integrative holistic care to include chiropractic, decompression, lifestyle coaching, as well as treating complex medical problems by identifying and correcting nutritional deficiencies through the use of specialized laboratory testing. He is a professor of nutrition for Houston Community College’s nursing programs. He has designed several formulations for different supplement companies including The “Ath-Elite” Protocol, a product customized for professional athletes. He is a member of the ACA Council on Nutrition, the American Association for Health Freedom, a Diplomate with the American Clinical Board of Nutrition, and a co-founder of Nutra/MD, a supplement company with products designed to diminish the side effects of commonly prescribed medications. He has recently been elected to the Examining Committee for the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. He can be reached at 281-240-2229 or on the web at http://www.essental-nutrients.net

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