Does High Blood Pressure Medication Prevent Stroke?

17.5 million people die each year from cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Out of this 17.5 million people, a very large percentage of 80% die from heart attacks or strokes (WHO 2016). 

In Singapore, the statistics aren't that optimistic either. Between ages 30 to 69, slightly less than 1 in 4 Singapore residents have hypertension. However, between 60 to 69, the statistics increases to more than 1 in 2 who have hypertension (HPB Singapore, 2016).

Commonly, drugs or medicines are used to keep blood pressure in a healthy range for hypertension patients. With the lowered blood pressure, we would expect that it brings about a correspondingly lower risk of heart attack or strokes, isn't it?

It seems the truth is far from what we would like it to be. In this study by the University of Alabama in Brimingham, it shows otherwise. The headline says "Blood pressure medications can lead to increased risk of stroke".

"Compared to people with systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg without treatment, hypertensive individuals on three or more blood pressure medications had a stroke risk of 2.5 times higher."

"You're in as much trouble by the time you are on three medications that achieve excellent control as you are when you have hypertension and it is untreated, which is amazing,"

"The way to curb the problem, Howard says, is to prevent hypertension in the first place. There are a number of proven approaches to prevent or greatly delay the development of hypertension including: 

1) taking part in moderate physical activity

2) keeping weight in normal ranges

3) reducing salt intake

4) eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and reduced in saturated and total fat."
  
Nutritional Immunology's recommendation is in accordance with what this study has found. It is more important to prevent diseases by keeping our immune system optimized. 

Nutritional Immunology also provides the knowledge base for selection of wholesome plant superfoods to nourish our immune system.

Cheers!
Janice

+65 84998618 

Janice@ImmuneSuperFood.com

Share if you find my post useful to you! =)



Citations:  
University of Alabama at Birmingham. "Blood pressure medications can lead to increased risk of stroke." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 May 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150529193554.htm>.