SHOCKING Trigger for Hard-to-Treat Hypertension
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 6, 2023
You’re locked into a battle with your high blood pressure. And currently, it’s winning.
Name it, and you’ve tried it. Diet, exercise, medication… check, check, and CHECK.
Heck, maybe you’ve even used a few natural therapies and STILL hit a brick wall.
But your blood pressure stubbornly stays up. Or worse, KEEPS climbing.
And you know what comes next. MORE meds.
But you might not want to fill that new prescription quite yet…
Because there could be a hidden culprit behind your hard-to-treat hypertension.
And research reveals that’s ESPECIALLY true if you’re a senior.
I can assure you the cause of your high blood pressure ISN’T a lack of prescription pills.
In fact, the reason why nothing has worked to tame your hypertension could be something unimaginable. And that’s your OWN doctor.
Don’t get me wrong. He’s not trying to trip you up, of course. Your doc is only trying to help.
But that’s exactly when he might be making this one big mistake.
It’s true that your hypertension risk climbs right along with your age. But mainstream medicine often makes it sound like age alone causes high blood pressure. That it’s inevitable.
And that’s just HOGWASH.
It turns out one of the most common causes of hypertension has nothing to do with age at all. Or anything else that typically gets blamed for high blood pressure, for that matter.
It’s actually the medications that were PRESCRIBED for you.
Dozens of common drugs are KNOWN to cause blood pressure to rise. Yet, this often gets overlooked. Or worse, outright ignored.
Recent research found that one in five being treated for hypertension is on at least one drug known to cause high blood pressure. And one in twenty are taking two or more of these meds.
These drugs don’t just have minor effects, either. The study estimates that quitting these medications could TOTALLY NORMALIZE blood pressure in half of the cases.
Yes, HALF!
The most frequent culprit was antidepressants. These drugs were taken by 10 percent of the folks who were also on medication for high blood pressure.
But ordinary curcumin could potentially do the job just as well. In fact, it held its own against a major antidepressant in one study, essentially matching the drug’s effectiveness.
Plus, the all-natural supplement can ALSO enhance blood flow, which means it could reduce blood pressure at the same time.
According to the research, some of the other most common blood-pressure-raising culprits are…
- NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen (check out these alternatives)
- oral steroids (typically used for gout, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
- antipsychotics (often given off-label for dozens of conditions)
- decongestants (including the popular over-the-counter stuff)
All these drugs have something in common. They’re often totally unnecessary.
In some cases, they’re even wildly inappropriate (especially those pain pills). In fact, one in three seniors is taking unneeded meds.
Your local pharmacist is an excellent resource for checking on potential drug interactions. Bag up your meds or make a thorough list of whatever drugs and supplements you’re taking, and they can help you spot any issues.
Then, work with a naturopathic or integrative medicine doctor on trying out some drug-free alternatives. And if your blood pressure normalizes when you do, you may find yourself able to quit TWO drugs at the same time.
P.S. Delicious treat SLASHES high blood pressure.
Source:
“Use and Estimated Impacts of Medications that Raise Blood Pressure Among U.S. Adults with Hypertension: National Cross-Sectional Study,” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021 May, 77 (18_Supplement_2) 8, Presented Sunday, May 16, at 12:30 p.m. ET / 16:30 UTC at ACC.21.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Two-Week Diet Switch Transforms Your Health
You know how you feel sluggish and “off” after a vacation filled with fast foods and processed snacks? Well, it’s not all in your head (or merely guilt). When you switch to an unhealthy Western-style diet, there are physical consequences—and they kick in faster than you might think… The Western diet is characterized by ultra-processed...
WARNING—Your Water Bottle Is Hiding a Disgusting Secret
Recently, a few people have asked me if it’s true that their water bottle has more germs than a toilet seat. It’s a shocking comparison that’ll make you think twice about everyday objects you use without much thought. So, is this claim true? Well, I must warn you that you might not like the answer…...
Research Reveals 3-for-1 Brain Protection "Checklist"
Age-related brain diseases—including stroke, dementia, and depression—threaten our quality of life. They can take the shine right out of your Golden Years. But you don’t have to take these threats lying down. While there are no guarantees in life, there are steps you can take to turn the odds in your favor—especially when it comes...
Mailbag: Your “Healthy Diet” Might Leave You Running on Empty
“Do supplements really work?” Hopeful Skeptic Hi Hopeful, That’s a fantastic question! It gets straight to the heart of a vital fact about human biology. Our bodies are incredible machines. But they don’t work in a vacuum. They require outside help to function. For example, they can’t manufacture most vitamins and minerals on their own....
Forgotten 80s Superfood Reemerges as Artery Superstar
Do you remember when vitamin E was the talk of the town? This common nutrient had a surge of popularity in the 80s and 90s. But now I can’t remember the last time I had a patient ask me about it. Well, it turns out this forgotten 80s superfood deserves another moment in the spotlight....
Strokes CAN Strike Twice—This Simple Fix Cuts Your Risk 20%
They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place. But that old adage couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to strokes. If you’ve had a stroke, you might think you’re out of the woods once you recover. But the reality is far different… A comprehensive study published in JAMA revealed the...
Can Your Diet Defend Your Brain From Aging?
Our brains work hard every day, helping us solve problems, create memories, and connect with loved ones. But as we age, they face new challenges that can quietly chip away at our vitality. One of those challenges? The buildup of iron. Though iron is essential for many functions, too much can harm your brain, contributing...
Common Deficiency DOUBLES Risk of Your Body Attacking Itself
Most of us know vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin.” And many think of it mainly for bone health as we age. But research now suggests that this nutrient may be just as crucial for supporting our immune system throughout life, beginning as early as childhood. In fact, a lack of vitamin D, especially in...
What Is a Healthy Night’s Sleep? Three Critical Criteria
We’ve all heard the advice about how important getting enough sleep is to your health. Heck, I have even given this advice countless times. But here’s what the so-called sleep experts aren’t telling you—that perfectly uninterrupted eight hours of sleep they keep preaching about? It’s a myth. In fact, if you wake up several times...
Can Your “Poop Schedule” Predict Disease?
We all do it. If you’re alive, you poop. Some of us are so regular that we could set a clock based on our bathroom habits. Others, not so much. And yet, talking about bowel movements remains one of those taboo topics. Even your doctor skims over it during your annual checkup! But the truth...