LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

Heart and circulation

The circulation of blood is the term we use to describe the manner in which the blood travels around the body. Blood underlies the vital functions of the organism. On the one hand, it supplies the tissues and cells with oxygen, and on the other, it expels metabolic carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lungs. When inhaling, oxygen is absorbed, when exhaling carbon dioxide is released. In addition, the blood distributes food-borne substances such as fat, proteins and carbohydrates to the tissues that need these substances for their metabolism. Additionally, the circulation carries the waste products of metabolic process, urea and ammonia for example, to the organs, such as the liver or the kidneys, which are responsible for their excretion.

A distinction is made between the arterial and venous circulation, or between the arteries and the veins. The arteries transport oxygen from the heart to the tissues. In the veins, the CO2-containing blood circulates back to the heart.

The farther away the blood vessels are from the heart, the smaller they become. These arteries are called arterioles, small and thin arteries. In the body’s various organs and tissues, arteries and veins narrow to become capillary vessels that are as thin as or even thinner than hair. If you put all the veins and arteries together with the capillaries that are in a human body, they would stretch for a distance of several thousand kilometres. On average, the blood volume in an individual flows through the human body about 1440 times each day.

Arteries

Arteries are blood vessels that transport the blood enriched with oxygen from the left ventricle via the central artery of the human body, the aorta, to the other vessels. In the pulmonary circulation, arteries transport the oxygen-deficient blood from the right ventricle to the lungs, where the blood is then enriched with oxygen.

Veins

The veins transport the oxygen-deficient blood to the heart. There the work is taken over by the arteries, which carry it to the lungs where it is enriched with oxygen. The veins then transport the blood back to the heart and into the arteries.

Circulation problems

Other than congenital cardiac defects, circulation problems in young people are rare. With age, it becomes more likely that issues with the cardiovascular system can arise. Depending on their severity they must be diagnosed and treated by a medical doctor. In cases of persistent poor blood volume, recurrent though harmless circulatory weaknesses can appear. They can be countered by the frequent drinking of salty drinks (bouillons) or herbal preparations (see below). It is possible sometimes that mild cardiac weakness can lead to circulatory problems. As long as the weakness does not become more pronounced and is not dangerous, it can be treated with herbal preparations.

Blood pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure in the blood vessels produced to compensate for the pumping activity of the heart. It is measured as a force per area. Normally, when we speak about blood pressure, it is understood that this refers to the larger arteries; nevertheless, the blood pressure values will vary depending on where they are taken. The pressure is at its highest in the aorta as the blood leaves the heart. It decreases continuously as it passes through the increasingly small arteries and arterioles and veins leading back to the heart. The unit of measure for blood pressure is usually mm/HG or millimetres of mercury. (HG is the chemical symbol for mercury.)

Blood pressure measurement

In the past, blood pressure was measured with an inflatable band on the upper arm connected to a vertical column of glass in which mercury rose as the blood pressure increased. The following points should be observed before a correct blood pressure measurement can be taken:

• Do not take any stimulating substances such as nicotine or caffeine.
• Avoid over excitement.
• Try to relax for at least five minutes before the measurement is taken.
• Sit still during the measurement and be quiet.
• Avoid wearing tight clothes.
• A full bladder can significantly increase the blood pressure.

The band was pulled up over (usually) the upper left arm and was kept level with the heart. The arm should be relaxed, then air is pumped into the band using a hand-held balloon until the blood flow stops. The pressure could then be checked on the mercury column. The pressure was subsequently but slowly released through the opening of a valve. The sounds in the upper arm were checked with a stethoscope. This showed the so-called systolic or higher blood pressure. This is the blood pressure that occurs during cardiac contraction.

Because the blood flow was restricted by this pressure, this generated pulsating sounds, the so-called “turbulent flow”. Their disappearance shows the diastolic or lower blood pressure which occurs when the heart muscle relaxes.

Today, blood pressure is measured almost entirely electronically though a band is still used on the upper arm or on the wrist. There should be a break of one minute between measurements. The best results are achieved when three measurements are taken and the mean value of the second and third measurement is used as the blood pressure value.

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure of the artery wall against the cardiac contraction, the systole. The diastolic value indicates the pressure of the artery wall against the heart when relaxed, the diastole. The blood pressure of a healthy adult is in the systolic range 110-120 mg/Hg. A single measurement does not give much information, however, as the blood pressure is subject to fluctuations during the course of the day, especially during intensive activity. It is for this reason that a series of measurements should be made where the blood pressure is taken at different times of the day. Only from these different measured values can a sound opinion as to what is a normal, a too low or a too high blood pressure level be established.

In certain instances, it is recommended to test the blood pressure over a period of twenty-four hours. To do this, a blood pressure monitor should be worn for a whole day and the levels recorded.

Hypotension

Hypotension or low blood pressure shows chronic blood pressure values below the systolic (upper value) 100 mm/HG and diastolic (lower) of 60 mm/HG. In contrast to hypertension (elevated blood pressure), in most cases there is no sensation, whereas with hypotension sometimes there is discomfort and a feeling of dizziness and drowsiness, which can lead to fainting attacks.
While hypertension lasting years can lead to cardiovascular disease and, in extreme cases, death, hypotension does not present such a risk.
If the hypotension is stable within defined limits, it is possible that there will be no adverse symptoms for many years. However, if, in certain situations, such as driving a car, walking in difficult terrain or operating potentially dangerous machinery, hypotension leads to a fainting attack, this can be life-threatening as the ability to react quickly and to protect oneself is therefore reduced.
Conventional medicine divides hypotension into different categories:

Primary hypotension

Primary hypotension is a term for low blood pressure that cannot be attributed to external circumstances such as illness. Broadly, it has the following associations:

• Unknown causes (idiopathic).
• Slim body profiles with long necks and thin limbs.
• Physical inactivity.

Secondary hypotension

This type of low blood pressure can usually be attributed to an existing disease, drug side effects or to other similar causes. These are: –

• Hormonal-based which includes illnesses defined by an under-performing thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or kidney deficiency (Morbus Addison).
• Cardiovascular-induced hypotension including vascular-induced hypotension arising from heart disease.
• Medication-induced hypotension, for example caused beta blockers.
• Hypovolemia-induced hypotension arising from insufficient blood volume.

Orthostatic hypotension

An orthostatic hypotension occurs briefly during the movement from lying down to standing up. As the body position is changed, the blood drains into the legs when the veins cannot immediately develop the pressure needed to transport sufficient blood to the brain against gravity.

Symptoms of hypotension

In addition to dizziness and feelings of faintness, the following symptoms can also appear, especially in chronic hypotension:

• Circulatory weakness leading to fainting attacks
• Tachycardia
• Headaches
• Unexpected bouts of sweating
• A buzzing sensation in the ears
• A sudden onset of fatigue
• Chills in the hands and feet
• Trembling.

Non-drug treatment for low blood pressure and general circulation insufficiency

Before medication is used to treat an existing hypotension or a general circulation weakness, it is advisable to try to tackle the problem with non-drug measures. These include: participating in regular sports’ activities; having saunas and massages (with a brush); adopting a diet rich in salts (bouillons for instance); after lying down getting up slowly (remaining seated for a few moments); alternating cold and warm baths or showers; being sure to take sufficient fluids and adjusting blood pressure-lowering medications. Compression stockings may also help. In severe cases, caffeine drinks can be taken though the effects are not long-lasting.

Conventional therapy

For the medical treatment of a deep blood pressure and circulatory weaknesses, various medicines are available, though against hypotension these are few.

Etilefrin (Effortil ®) is available without prescription and has a short-term effect during approximately 30 minutes. The drug stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (sympathomimetic), the performance-oriented part of the vegetative or autonomic nervous system.

Midorin (Gutron ®) is another sympathomimetic medicine which is used particularly against orthostatic hypotension, though here a prescription is required.

When there are severe blood pressure crises, physicians use more sympathomimetic medicines such as noradrenaline, ephedrine, or phenylephrine.

Where there is an existing disorder, such as adrenal insufficiency (adrenal deficiency), the illness must be treated as a causal condition for it to disappear.

Various prescription medicines are used to treat regular circulation weaknesses in conventional medical treatments. Beta blockers and calcium antagonists are well-known examples of these drug groups.

Complementary medicine offers a range of options to treat existing low blood pressure or mild circulatory disorders. Concurrent to homeopathic preparations, spagyric and anthroposophical treatments, Schüssler salts can also be used to the raise blood pressure. From experience, we recommend Schüssler salts Nos. 2 and 5, calcium phosphoricum and potassium phosphoricum.

Phytotherapy

There are some medicinal plants with blood pressure-enhancing and heart-strengthening effects. The most important representative of these are the hawthorn, which can be very effective against heart weakness (heart insufficiency). Ginkgo biloba and rosemary as well as plants that are also natural stimulants such as coffee (caffeine), black tea, guarana and mate, can all help relieve hypotension. These (medicinal) plants can be used as teas or (mother) tinctures. There are also ready-made preparations in the form of drops or tablets.

Tonusin – Hypotonietropfen

The company Herbamed produces a mixture of four mother tinctures called Tonusin which is used to combat low blood pressure and general circulatory weakness. It has the effect of stabilising the blood pressure the result of which is that feelings of dizziness disappear.

Tonusin ist folgendermassen zusammengesetzt:

1 ml contains

The individual components have the following effect:

Crataegus

Different species of the genus crataegus, the hawthorn from the rose plant family, are used for medicinal purposes. While the hawthorn’s medicinal properties were not known in antiquity, it began to be used in the 16th. century and was soon considered as an excellent remedy against heart problems, blood pressure disorders and circulatory weaknesses. Modern research endorses its effectiveness.

Selenicereus grandiflorus

Selenicereus grandiflorus (or cactus grandiflorus) comes from the family of cactus plants. In German, it is known as the Queen of the Night. The plant can be found in Central America and is used mainly in homeopathy for treating circulatory disorders. There are no significant therapeutic differences between deep homeopathic potencies and mother tinctures therefore here, the mother tincture of selenicereus gandiflorus can be recommended in the event of circulatory problems.

Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary from the mint family is first and foremost known as a spice. However, it is also important as a medicinal plant. The whole leaf, where the concentration of essential oils is highest, is used. Taken internally or applied externally, preparations of rosemary have cramp-releasing and circulation-promoting characteristics. It also improves the blood circulation of the coronary vessels which helps to strengthen the heart and to regulate low blood pressure levels. Its effectiveness in cardio-reinforcing is confirmed by the ESCOP, the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy.

Hyssopus officinalis

Hyssopus officinalis comes from the mint family, in English hyssop. The essential oil and tannins give the drug mild anti-inflammatory, phlegm-promoting and cramp-releasing properties: in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) “it opens the thorax” and thus has an influence on blood pressure.

Taking all these considerations into account, Tonusin is an ideal herbal mixture for the treatment of low blood pressure and circulatory disorders. The preparation offers an alternative to the conventional treatments of such ailments. Often, we see a reluctance to take normal drugs, beta blockers for instance and this leads to a demand for other treatments as people put their trust in alternative medicine.

Dosage

Take 20-30 drops three times a day with a small quantity of water.

Application restrictions

People who are allergic to one of the medicinal plants present in Tonusin should not use this preparation.

Pregnancy and lactation

Since Rosemary oil, which is applied externally, has a stimulating effect on the circulation, it should not be used during pregnancy to avoid the risk of bleeding and miscarriage. Even oil of hyssop can have a toxic effect in high doses. Although both medicinal plants are available in Tonusin, as tinctures though not as essential oils, the preparation should not be used during pregnancy and lactation.