The authors of a recent paper, titled "Trends in Prevalence, A wareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension in the United States, 1999-2000," concluded, "Contrary to earlier reports, hypertension prevalence is increasing in the United States. Hypertension control rates, although improving, continue to be low. Programs targeting hypertension prevention and treatment are of utmost importance." Consider for a moment what options are utilized by Western pharmaceutical-based medicine for an individual with hypertension. An ACE Inhibitor blocks an enzyme that causes blood vessel constriction, therefore, widening the arteries. Calcium Channel Blockers and Alpha-Adrenocepter Blockers relax the smooth muscles on the inner lining of the blood vessels, which reduces blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels. Beta Blockers block a hormone that increases blood pressure. Diuretics decrease the volume of blood so less blood is being pumped through the blood vessels. Which one of these addresses the blood clots that are decreasing blood flow and making the heart work harder, further perpetuating the high blood pressure? None!

I will barely mention all the major natural therapies for controlling hypertension that have been written about extensively in other places. Namely, lifestyle changes such as exercise and a good healthy diet with 5 to 8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day; supplementation with vitamins (especially antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and beta-carotene); minerals (especially magnesium, calcium, potassium); other nutrients such as CoQ10 and L-carnitine; essential fatty acids like fish and flax seed oil; and herbs such as garlic and hawthorn. All of these needs to be considered for a comprehensive antihypertensive program, but none of these directly address the blood clots.