Is There Such a Thing as a Good Alternative Medicine for High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 Americans a year, and is normally a contributing factor in at least 200,000 more. 1 in 4 adults in the USA have high blood pressure, and almost a third of them don't know it. Of those people who do know that they have high blood pressure, some would prefer to treat it with alternative medicines. While it is very important not to ignore this condition (also known as hypertension), many people are concerned with possible side effects from prescription medications. If you have previously had a bad experience with those medicines or if you have grown tired of associated side effects, then you might be wondering if there are any alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs for treating high blood pressure.

Now, before you trek over to the local health food store to ask for an alternative medicine for high blood pressure, you should known that even natural medicines carry some risks. While it appears that most natural alternatives for treating for high blood pressure are innocuous, as with anything, it's true that taking too much may create problems and lead to serious issues after a while.

There are some herbal remedies that have blood pressure-lowering components and these may well be effective in treating hypertension. Most herbal remedies are unregulated food supplements. Since it's not possible to patent natural herbs, there is no financial incentive for any company to evaluate herbal alternatives for hypertension in scientifically controlled trials. If you decide that you wish to give natural substances a try, perhaps the best alternative medicine for hypertension is a high quality garlic supplement. In many studies, garlic has been shown to have the ability to lower blood pressure readings by as much as ten percent. This would make it an excellent choice if you are only a few points above your desirable reading. As an additional benefit, garlic has also shown efficacy in combating high cholesterol readings, giving you a double dose of benefits in every dose.

However, if you are currently taking prescription medicines, be sure not to just stop taking them when you implement a natural supplement regimen. Speak to your physican and let him know what you are doing, so he can monitor your readings and slowly cut down the drug dosage if the alternatives have the desired effect. If your doctor refuses to work with you on this, you may want to consider locating a more open-minded physician. Remember, you're the boss, and the physician is your advisor. Learn everything you can about combating hypertension and make your own decisions. p>