Control High Blood Pressure Without Drugs: A Complete Hypertension Handbook

by Robert Rowan M.D., Constance Schrader (Editor)

Overview

Now completely revised and updated, this proven hypertension treatment plan that reduces your reliance on potentially harmful medications.

Hypertension is called the silent disease because it often gives no warning signs or symptoms. Its impact can be devastating: Both coronary heart disease and strokes are closely related to hypertension. But there is hope. In this fully updated and revised edition of his classic work, Dr. Robert L. Rowan draws on the latest medical findings to help you prevent high blood pressure, cope with it if it occurs, and lower your blood pressure through sensible, inexpensive natural means. He explains how to work with your doctor in developing a program that suits your personality, age, physiology, weight, and personal habits. Here, you'll learn all you need to know about:

-New tests that indicate the presence of high blood pressure in the absence of symptoms

-Alternative techniques—from acupuncture to biofeedback to aromatherapy—that can relieve stress and lower blood pressure

-Natural hypotensive therapies, exercises, and foods—including the amazing cholesterol-fighting omega-3 oils

-Prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can affect blood pressure

-The lowdown on diet, including a month of healthful menus and dozens of quick-and-easy recipes

With a comprehensive list of helpful Web sites and a fully updated bibliography, Control High Blood Pressure Without Drugs brings you the information you need to manage your blood pressure and live a healthier life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780684873282
Publisher:	Atria Books
Publication date:	05/15/2001
Edition description:	REVISED
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	529,832
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Robert Rowan, M.D., is a clinical professor at New York University Medical School and the coauthor of two other books. He lives in New York City.

Read an Excerpt

Preface

This book is the result of fifty years of medical practice, during which I've treated hundreds of patients and conferred with dozens of other physicians, attended conferences, and reviewed medical journals, papers, and other research. It is also the result of my efforts to communicate better with my patients who come to me seeking better health.

It all started half a century ago. I graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1950. During these past five decades I've witnessed the wonderful advances in our understanding of how the human body works and in every aspect of medicine and patient care. Years ago, we had very few methods of seeing within the body without invasive surgery. Some tests, such as those for glaucoma, as well as mammography and magnetic or sound imaging, were unavailable and some were unimaginable. Many medicines we have at our disposal now were unheard of at that time. Even the practice of medicine was different in some ways. However, some things have not changed at all: The close and trusting relationship between doctor and patient has always been the same; it is the crux of medical art.

Until recently, preventing disease received little attention. But times have changed. Improving your diet, exercising, and getting regular checkups are now an individual's responsibility. People with chronic diseases, like high blood pressure, can prevent further disability, and in some cases, control the progress of the disease.

I have been fortunate because I have been able to see these advances in medicine, and to use these developing strategies and theories to improve the quality of life for my patients. It has been a blessing to have had the opportunity to help other human beings.

My intense interest in hypertension was inspired by the two years I spent as a drug monitor for Schering Corporation during their development of an antihypertensive drug. This experience increased my respect for scientists and researchers who toil long and hard to create effective and useful medicines. The fact that this book is devoted to the nondrug treatment of hypertension in no way diminishes my belief in the value of medication in many situations. But there are many nondrug activities you can — and should — do for yourself.

My goal in this self-help book is to review accepted practice and to present to you the most recent and reliable medical information. It is a book of real strategies for busy and hurried people who must cope with real-life situations.

Strategies for weight reduction, incorporating exercise into your life, and stress management are presented in the context of today's lifestyles. The beeper you wear on your belt, or the telephone that rings in your pocket are samples of the most recent stressors applied to your body. Appealing new foods are introduced in supermarkets and restaurants almost every month, but which are right for you and your body? A careful selection of foods and beverages is important. I've tried to guide you to the answer.

Perhaps one of the greatest changes has been the acceptance of alternative medicine. About a dozen years ago I wrote about a new concept known as biofeedback. Today it is a well-known and well-accepted technique. Other ideas, some from other cultures, such as acupuncture, and some ancient but newly popular, such as the use of herbal supplements, have been added to the arsenal of weapons we use against disease. In fact, 40 percent of all Americans today use some type of alternative medical therapy along with standard traditional care.

All these advances are exciting and open many options in treatment. It makes me think back on the teachers and colleagues who have been supportive throughout the years. Many physicians have contributed to my education and experience through the years: I will always be indebted to Dean Harvey E. Jordan, Ph.D., who accepted me into medical school; Dr. Thomas Howley, who appointed me to the staff of St. Vincent's Hospital of New York City; and Dr. Pablo Morales, who invited me to teach at the New York University Medical School. I am particularly proud of the time I spent in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War because it allowed me, in a small way, to repay the country that has done so much for me.

I thank my agent, Agnes Birnbaum, who is a tireless advocate for the reader as well as the author and publisher. Through Ms. Birnbaum I met Constance Schrader, who has helped me put my ideas and advice into written words. We hope this book will be your best medicine for controlling high blood pressure.

— Robert L. Rowan, M.D.
New York City, March 2001

Copyright © 1986 by Robert L. Rowan, M.D.
Copyright © 2001 by Robert L. Rowan, M.D., and Constance Schrader

Table of Contents

Contents

Preface

Part I. The Basics

1. Could You Have Hypertension?
2. The Dangers of High Blood Pressure
3. Measure Your Pressure
4. Diastolic and Systolic Pressure — What Does Each Mean?
5. What Happens When You Learn You Have High Blood Pressure?
6. Do It for Yourself
   

Part II. Your Diet or Your Life

1. The Truth About Salt
2. Obesity Is a Hypertension Issue
3. Are You Really Hungry?
4. Eat Right/Feel Right
5. The Rice Diet and Other Diet Choices
6. Cholesterol As a Culprit
7. Fiber Is Important
8. Sugar Is Not Sweet to Your Body
9. Diabetes and Kidney Disease and Hypertension
10. Hypertension: A Risk Factor for Stroke
11. Working Together: The Pump and the Hose
12. Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium and High Blood Pressure
    

Part III. Your Style of Living

1. Smoke Gets in Your Blood
2. Alcohol and Illegal Drugs and Hypertension
3. Sleeping with Hypertension
4. Hypertension and Aging
5. Women and High Blood Pressure
6. Impotence and Hypertension
7. Stress and Hypertension
8. Complementary (Alternative) Therapies for Hypertension
9. Biofeedback: Training Your Body to Reduce Hypertension
10. Folk Medicine and Other Traditions
11. Exercise Combats Hypertension
12. Walking Your Blood Pressure Down
    

Part IV. Hypertension Drugs

1. About Antihypertensive Drugs
2. Herbs, Vitamins, and Minerals and Hypertension
   

Part V. Shopping and Cooking with High Blood Pressure

1. A Life of Healthy Eating: Recipes to Lower Your Blood Pressure
   

SPARKY SEASONING MIX

GRAINS
Veggie Pasta Sauce

Lasagna Without Guilt

Spaghetti with a Gobble

Swimming with the Tuna

VEGETABLES
Hot Vegetable Bean Dip

Herbal Zucchini Combo

Broccoli (or Other Vegetable) Soup

Escalloped Corn Pudding

Terrific Taco Salad

MEAT, POULTRY, AND FISH
Sweet and Sour Roast Pork

"Lite" Beef Stroganoff

Oriental Beef and Vegetable Stir-fry

Oriental Chicken and Vegetable Stir-fry

Chicken and Spanish Rice

Chicken Salad

Tuscany Chicken

Tuscany Turkey

Broiled Sesame Fish

Dizzy Dill Fish

Spicy Baked Salmon

FRUITS AND DESSERTS
Apple Crisp

Jiggling Mold

Bran Apple Bars

Zucchini Bread

Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies

Appendix 1. Sodium in Foods

Appendix 2. A Week with the DASH Diet

Appendix 3. A Comparison of Saturated Fat, Total Fat, Cholesterol, Calories, and Sodium

Appendix 4. A Walking Program to Reduce Blood Pressure

Glossary

Additional Resources

Index

Editorial Reviews

Jeff Kane, M.D. author of The Healing Companion I recommend this book highly for people with high blood pressure.

Suzanne M. Schweikert, M.D. author of The Pregnant Traveler A refreshingly commonsense approach to this deadly disease.

From the Publisher