Many people believe the number one cause of Heart Disease is High Blood Pressure, but is it?!—
We often hear it referred to as the “silent killer” and a severe disease with potentially fatal consequences. But the truth is, these statements are not entirely accurate…
High blood pressure is, in fact, a symptom rather than a disease. And here’s where the misconception lies:
Many doctors may prescribe medications to lower blood pressure without addressing the underlying causes or considering alternative approaches. Sometimes, all we want is a pill to solve our problems, but the potential side effects can be concerning. I understand this dilemma all too well. However, we need to recognize that merely suppressing the symptom does not address the root issues or promote true healing.
Let me share a story that highlights the complexity of this matter.
Recently, a patient came to see me, seeking help for various health challenges. She had been diagnosed with an inflammatory condition called polymyositis, characterized by widespread inflammation in the body. Her previous doctor, unsure of the underlying cause, opted to treat the symptoms with an anti-inflammatory drug called Prednisone.
(And this is how we get into trouble)
Now, Prednisone, similar to cortisol, is a stress hormone that can have catabolic effects, meaning it breaks down the body. In this case, it caused her adrenal and pituitary glands to shut off, leading to insulin resistance and weight gain. Consequently, her blood pressure increased. In response, another medication was prescribed to address the high blood pressure. But then, she began experiencing swelling in her legs, prompting the addition of yet another drug—a diuretic.
This cascade of medications took its toll, and she eventually developed diabetes. So, to combat the diabetes, another medication was added to her regimen. You can see how the situation quickly spiraled out of control. Despite all these medications, her underlying health problems persisted—polymyositis, inflammation, diabetes, high blood sugar—none of them were truly resolved. This illustrates how treating symptoms without addressing the underlying disease leads to a complex and challenging situation.
The Efficacy of Blood Pressure Medications:
Shockingly, scientific studies that have not been published in medical journals show that taking these medications does not prevent strokes, as many might assume. In fact, research demonstrates that dropping blood pressure to normal levels does not significantly reduce the risk of strokes or heart attacks.
Sure, you might lower the risk of a non-fatal heart attack by a mere 12 percent after taking blood pressure medication for 20 years. But when it comes to fatal heart attacks, there is no significant change. So, the idea that taking blood pressure medication effectively prevents heart disease is not supported by evidence.
-Dr. Scott Saunders M.D.
(paraphrased from the Fix Blood Sugar Webinar)
www.BartonWebinar.com
