Hypertension Richmond Acupuncture VA High Blood Pressure Dizziness Chinese Medicine Herb treatment Clinic

One-third of Americans suffer from hypertension (HTN). Hypertension is an elevation in blood pressure beyond normal levels, indicating increased cardiac (heart muscle) contraction, increased vascular resistance, or both. A normal blood pressure measurement is 120/80 mmHg. Any reading above 140/90 is considered hypertension. It is often also called High Blood Pressure (HBP) or more grimly as “the silent killer”, as the condition often causes few subjective symptoms before becoming fatal. When untreated, hypertension can lead to an increased risk for strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure. Most of the time, there are no symptoms. Symptoms may include:

Chest pain
Confusion
Ear noise or buzzing
Irregular heartbeat
Nosebleed
Tiredness
Vision changes

Current western medical therapy is long-term pharmaceutical suppression of the condition combined with lifestyle adjustments. There are many different medicines that can be used to treat high blood pressure, including:

Alpha blockers
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
Beta-blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Central alpha agonists
Diuretics
Renin inhibitors, including aliskiren (Tekturna)
Vasodilators

Decreasing stress, salt intake, alcohol, and tobacco with an improved diet and regular exercise can help manage your hypertension.

While the ancient Chinese medical doctors did not describe hypertension in the same manner we do today, Chinese medicine theory accounted for the various physiological processes surrounding this condition. In this system of medicine, various physiological relationships exist between each of the internal organs. When these relationships become disharmonious, a variety of disease patterns manifest. Hypertension is typically caused by a disharmony of the Liver organ in Chinese medicine. Acupuncture can help you to avoid or reduce the use of hypertension drugs under the supervision of your medical doctor. Chinese Medicine is becoming increasing popular for individuals who wish to avoid or minimize the long-term effects of drug therapy. Apart from curing your hypertension problem, acupuncture also promotes the healing of other problems related to your heart.