My mom, who is in her early 60’s, was diagnosed with hypertension (170/90) and high cholesterol (245) about 10 months ago. Her doctor recommended that she take medication but she refuses. In fact, she has steadfastly refused to see the doctor again. She has rarely taken any medication over the years because she believes in natural remedies, which she finds by reading and conducting internet research. She has had no serious health issues prior to this blood pressure problem.

Since she was diagnosed she has lost 15 pounds and her blood pressure decreased to 153/85 (based on readings obtained at those self-service blood pressure chairs at pharmacies). She needs to lose another 25 pounds to get to her ideal weight, but she has maintained the 15-pound weight loss for about 4 months through exercise and says she will soon make more of an effort to lose the rest of the weight.

She stopped adding any salt to her food when she was in her 20’s. She is just now getting around to checking labels to determine sodium levels in bottled and packaged foods. She has cut out soy sauce, for example, since even the low sodium version has an amazing amount of sodium. Must she stop eating all foods that contain even low levels of sodium? She just discovered that no-fat yoghurt and low fat cottage cheese have small amounts of sodium (about 50-something mg). Should she wait until she loses all the weight and check her blood pressure then to see if it is normal before taking the extreme measure of giving up everything with any sodium, as she will wind up with a very limited diet? You can tell when she eats a high salt food because the next day she has huge bags under her eyes, so I’m thinking that her body may be particularly sensitive to salt.

Can weight loss alone decrease her blood pressure to normal or do we just have to wait and see what happens? Are there natural remedies that will lower blood pressure more than a few points? If not, can she take multiple natural remedies together that will accomplish this? I’m very worried because hypertension is called the "silent killer" for a reason and I believe she should take the medication, but she is irritated by my efforts (and those of other people who care about her) to convince her and now refuses to discuss this with anyone. She says she regrets telling us about her diagnosis and is threatening to keep her health issues to herself from now on.

I’d appreciate any responses regarding possible natural remedies. Please, no advice to continue trying to convince her to take medication. She is adamant she will not go that route and feels she is being harassed. Thanks.

I went to a neurologist for on going migraines, dizziness, comprehension and memory problems, weakness etc. These symptoms come and go every 3-4 months or so… He has sent me for a MRI and prescribed me beta blockers he said these will help with my migraines.
So will taking beta blockers make my migraines and dizziness go away? and also if he thinks this is the cure why is he sending me for a MRI?
I thought beta blockers were used for people with high blood pressure? My blood pressure is fine although my resting pulse rate is at the least on a good day 110… and no im not over weight and i have gone to a cardiologist and he said everything with my heart was fine.

well i have pcos i have the acne and hair on my chin my period is not to irregular just comes a few days late or early every month, not to bad. But the doctor wants to give me birth control pills now i have taken those before and they worked well, but now that my insurance will only let me get generics and they do not seem to work the same. Now i have heard about the benefits of taking the pill but i have also been hearing that htey can cause heart problems and strokes my father died of heart problems and also had a stroke and high blood pressure, my blood pressure only goes high occasionaly it is not high all the time. So my question is do i take the birth control pills and the meds for high blood pressure even though i hate medicine and prefer naturla cures. Also let me say that my blood pressure has been really good for the past 4 months and i have been off the meds. i got one higher reading and they want me back on meds. ok thanks for any tips and info you can give me, ALSo i have heard that garlic pills is good for blood pressure is that true guess i should also mention i am overweight and it is very hard for me to lose weight

I’ve been smoking for over 25 years. I smoke maybe 4 or 5 cigs a day, and I’ve stopped for 3-4 months at a time. But when the nicotine fit hits me, I can’t deal and start smoking again. What can I do?

I am a heavy smoker. two pack per day. I am in the cooper clayton smoking censation class, but still smoking. I have the patches, but due to anxiety, and stress, I haven’t been able to progress. I did stop smoking the first time I was in this class. Only to start back after 4 months. I feel like such a failure. I feel I am weak, stupid, and letting the others down in my class, low self esteem. I am considering theapy, but wondering if anyone anyplace has any suggestions that might help me kick the habit. My Dr. has told me numerous times I have to quit smoking. I have asathma, broncities and other breathing conditions. Is it the power over smoking that I can’t give up? I am not an ignorant person. I no, the risk here..then why do I keep smoking?
There has to be others out there that smoke, and have sucessfully quite. If anyone has an suggestions, I would like to have your in put. This is scaring me.

I’ve been taking high blood pressure medication for about 4 months. My blood pressure has come back down to normal on the medications, but I still hear the "thumping" of my heartbeat in my ears. Does anyone else have this problem? Hoping it’s not just me… my doctor doesn’t think it’s a big deal, but I was just curious to see if anyone else has experienced it.