Blood pressure tends to rise in many as we eclipse middle age. Many factors contribute to this phenomena including decreased activity and the accumulation of a life's worth of bad eating which leads to hardened and partially blocked arteries. Essentially, as the pathways narrow, the body forces the heart to work harder to achieve ample circulation.
Like many, several years ago my physician diagnosed me with mild to moderate hypertension and prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. Unable to accept the reality that I needed medication, I paid little attention to the doctor's warning and left the prescription unfilled. My attitude adjustment occurred after an accident which forced a hospital stay for a week with several broken bones and a punctured lung. The adrenaline spike and additional stress to my body caused my blood pressure to skyrocket and I finally heeded the good doctor's advice.
I purchased a blood pressure sleeve and began regularly taking my required dose of medicine. I highly recommend the iHealth app for iPad and the blood pressure dock accessory. It enables simple testing and tracking of one's blood pressure over any period of time. My blood pressure in the hospital registered 167/94 and after several weeks, the medication at it's best only lowered it to 153/85. For that modest improvement, I suffered severe headaches, frequent urination and general overall lethargy. The cost far outweighed the benefit.
I stopped the medication and my blood pressure stabilized at the improved level but I occasionally experienced spikes as high as 153/101. Quite by accident I stumbled upon a remarkable cure! I began ingesting healthy amounts of cinnamon and observed amazing effects. I sprinkled it on oatmeal in the morning, toast for lunch, and either cottage cheese or yogurt for a healthy dessert. After seven days, my blood pressure fell to 115/81. The only change to my diet or daily regimen was the addition of large amounts of cinnamon.
After a month, I slowly reduced my intake to approximately one teaspoon on oatmeal in the morning and my blood pressure has stabilized around 126/78, an incredibly astonishing improvement over previous levels!
I must disclaim that I am not a healthcare practitioner and have no education or training that would allow me to dispense medical advice. In other words, I am not a doctor. I only play one in my mind! So please take this information for whatever it's worth and only cautiously apply this dietary change to your life's situation.
I only felt compelled to share this information with any that may be suffering from the same diagnosis of mild hypertension followed by severe side effects from the prescribed "cure".
