17 December 2009

Healthy Christmas Snacks

Healthy Christmas

Following on from the illuminating suggestions about healthy alternatives for a healthy Christmas dinner here we offer our seasonal ideas for healthy festive snacks

Did you know?

  • There are almost 6g of fat in a single 37ml shot of Bailey's Irish Cream?
  • Two cans of Stella Artois contain 442 calories (the same as 1.5 Mars bars)?
  • Just one segment of a Terry's Chocolate Orange has 46 calories and 2.5g of fat?

Instead of: Dry-roasted or salted peanuts

Why not: Brazil nuts, peanuts and walnuts in their shells. There's no added salt and trying to open them will give you a work out too!

Instead of: Closed shop-bought mince pies with cream or sugar

Why not: Open-topped home-baked mince pies (less sugar and calories) with apple slices or clementine pie.

Instead of fun food why not no-fun food?

Keep your powder dry and your blood pressure low - seasons greetings!

20 November 2009

Chips for Health | Chip on Shoulder

Got High Blood Pressure?

try a chip on your shoulder?

We may literally have to shoulder the responsibility of taking our medicines in the future. Pharmaceutical company Novartis has found a microchip on the shoulder may be the perfect way to remind people with high blood pressure to take their pills.

Researchers trialled the system on 20 people who were taking blood pressure tablets. Each person put a microchip patch on their shoulders, and tablets also contained a tiny edible microchip of their own. The chips in the tablets told the shoulder chips when they had been taken.

When a person forgot to take their tablet, the shoulder chip sent a text message to their mobile phone - including the latest pay as you go phones - to remind them that their next one was due.

Over the six-month trial 80 per cent of people remembered to take their tablet every day, compared with 30 per cent before the trial started.

23 October 2009

Charity Gifts Aid Health

Charity Gifts Aid Healthcare

As Christmas rapidly approaches we thought we would offer suggestions how to help improve your health whilst helping others.

Giving Benefits Health

Studies in Europe have suggested that generous, thoughtful giving offers benefits to health - the act of giving creates a sense of well being which in turn reduce stress and anxiety thereby helping to lower blood pressure.

For maximum effect why not consider giving a charity gift that will help others?

For many years people have felt good about sending charity Christmas cards but Charity gifts are increasingly popular and various charities now offer imaginative gift ideas that will help those in most need.

Charity Gifts

Healthcare charities and aid agencies all sell christmas cards but now online shopping is being embraced by forward thinking organisations. Oxfam, for example, give visitors the opportunity to provide water and shelter for communities that are suffering the effects of natural disasters around the world and even buy a goat.

The principle goal of these charity gifts is to raise money that can be used to help relieve suffering - be that locally with medical conditions and illnessess, or further afield where communities are feeling the effects of climate change - floods, drought and famine.

See for yourself if you feel better after making a charitable gift - it doesn't have to be Christmas but we think it is an ideal time to try new ways of giving.

Next in the run up to Christmas we will once again remind visitors of the perils of the white stuff - salt

01 October 2009

Healthy Food Hampers | Gifts - Create A Hamper

Foods for healthy blood pressure

Much is debated about reducing salt in our diets to help lower blood pressure - along with many other no no's when it comes to what we eat and drink for our health's sake but we think it appropriate to highlight what we should eat more of in order to feel great and stay in good health.

Often overlooked are the benefits of certain types of super foods - especially fruits and vegetables that when eaten in combination.

Essential minerals - amny only found in specific types of fruit - contribute to a healthy heart and maintain a good level of blood pressure - see getting the most benefit out of fruit and veg.

How much?


Loads - it's common to hear five a day but fruit and vegetables could make up at least a third of your entire food intake.

Give a healthy hamper of food

As an example we have put together a "gift hamper" selection which might provoke you to create your own hampers with top quality healthy food that you know the recipient enjoys.

Suggestion for healthy hampers

Most gift hampers are usually full of luxury food and drinks - rarely the best health option - although the benefits of red wine and chocolate are sometimes reported in the health news.

Here's our ideas of things to include in your hampers which needn't cost a lot but if packaged properly will be a great gift.

  • banana - high in potassium - a great bp lowering food
  • apples
  • pears or at least one
  • oranges are not the only fruit
  • avocado - notorious super food
  • plums - get you r gums stuck into plums
  • grapefruit

if its a seasonal gift, christmas hampers can include all the festive fruits you cna fing - figs, satsumas and of course whole nuts beans and pulses - remember however much you eat, beans and pulses count as one portion each day

Fresh fruit is important but the concentration of dried fruit can also help the mineral intake so add these to your gift hampers too.

dried fruit (such as raisins and apricots)

healthy drinks

a glass (150ml) of fruit juice (however much you drink, fruit juice counts as a maximum of one portion a day)

No so easy for these food hampers is frozen or cooked food but don't be shy - they too caount as one of the five a day - frozen peas are more likely to be nutritionally better than raw peas as they are frozen to seal the healthy bits in quickly

18 August 2009

Kiwi Fruit Lowers Blood Pressure?

Can eating Kiwi Fruit lower blood pressure?

The quick answer to the question above is "nobody knows for sure"! However, a study starting in Norway aims to find out.

The researchers will give 120 volunteers either three kiwi fruit to eat each day, or an apple a day for eight weeks. During this time, both the volunteers' systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure readings will be taken and compared.

The study seeks to find out if kiwi fruits are more effective than apples in helping to lower blood pressure.

The doctors are keen to carry out this research because of the results of an earlier study. In the Oslo Antioxidant Study, they found that people who ate three kiwi fruits a day had a significant reduction in their blood pressure levels.

However, they do not know how kiwi fruit had this effect, so they would like to compare its actions to those of apple to see if the blood pressure lowering is general effect of all types of fruit or a specific effect caused by a molecule found in kiwi fruit.

04 August 2009

Mid-life high blood pressure raise dementia risk

Having high blood pressure, smoking or having diabetes in middle age dramatically increases the risk of developing dementia in later life.

Researchers in the US looked at the lifestyles of 11,151 people age 46-70 years and followed their health for 12-14 years.

The study (published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry) found that, for people aged less than 55 years:

  • Having high blood pressure increases the risk of dementia
  • Smoking increases the risk of dementia five-fold
  • Having diabetes increases the risk of dementia three-fold

In fact, people who had high blood pressure were 60% more likely to develop dementia than people who didn't have high blood pressure. While people who were smoking were 70% more like to develop dementia in later life than those people who had never smoked. People who had diabetes were more than 100% more likely to develop than people without diabetes.

Dementia is caused by damage to the blood vessels supplying the brain. High blood pressure, smoking and diabetes all damage the insides of these arteries and may explain the link between these conditions and a raised risk of dementia in later life.

These findings reinforce the need for everyone - especially in middle age - to take good care of their health by eating healthily, being regularly active and keeping to a healthy weight.

15 July 2009

How to Lower Blood Pressure - Five Top Tips




How to lower your blood pressure

Five top tips to avoid or reduce high blood pressure:

1. Cut down on salt – eat no more than 6g a day (a teaspoon). Around 70 per cent of the salt in our diets has already been added to the food we eat, so watch out for hidden salt in bread, cereals, processed meats, cheeses and ready meals.
Can lower BP by 2-8mmHg
2. Eat at least five, ideally seven to nine, portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
Can lower BP 7mmHg or more
3. Be as active as you can – even moderate physical activity like brisk walking, five days a week, will help get your pressure down.
Can lower BP by 4-9mmHg
4. Find and reach your ideal weight.
Can lower BP by 5-10mmHg per 10kg lost
5. Keep an eye on alcohol – no more than 2- 3 units a day for women. One medium glass of wine (175) is equal to 2 units.
Can lower BP by 2-4mmHg




A guide to blood pressure levels



What is "normal blood pressure"?


Less than 120/80mmHg – blood pressure is at the ‘optimal’ level so follow a healthy lifestyle to keep it that way

121/81 – 129/84mmHg – blood pressure is ‘average’ and you would benefit from lowering it

130/85 – 139/89mmHg – blood pressure is on the ‘high side of normal’ and should be lowered

140/90mmHg or above – if readings are consistently at or above this level you have ‘high’ blood pressure, take action now to lower it .

19 June 2009

Flower Power

Can flowers help lower blood pressure?

Our thorough research has picked up the following information about the effects that various types of flowers can have on blood pressure.

As well as the obvious delight that being given flowers brings there appears to be other benefits to be had from our petaled friends.

Colour of flowers.

The colours around you can have health effects:
  1. Red Flowers: Raises your body temperature and blood pressure, Increases your appetite.
  2. BlueFlowers: Decreases blood pressure and heart beat
The smell of flowers - not just strong smelling flowers and herbs, such as mint, lavender, basil or jasmins are famous for their wonderful fragrances. Less potent flowers with only subtle aromatic substances or slightly fragrant flowers help you to relax so being in a flower garden gives you a feeling of relief , reduced stress and general well-being and happiness.

Specific flower products on sale for health benefits

Evening Primrose Oil

There have been many claims of blind studies that have shown that fish oil and / or flaxseed oil are effective in helping with hypertension. Another study, which combined evening primrose oil and fish oil supplements, showed a significant lowering of blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure and you want to treat it naturally, then evening primrose oil is an addition to your prescribed medicine, lifestyle changes and any other daily supplements you may be taking.

Hibiscus flowers

You will have read that hibiscus flower extract may have some cardiovascular health benefits.

Hibiscus forms the basis of a traditional Eastern remedy and researchers suggest an extract from the flower could have the same health benefits for the heart as red wine and tea
Hawthorn

American doctors recognized the herb's medicinal properties and began using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses. Considered a "cardiotonic" herb or heart tonic, the flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant were used in traditional medicine to treat irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. Hawthorn is commonly used to strengthen the heart.

Sevent (not twelfty)

Perhaps the most dubious flower treatmant on the market is lucky 7 or Seven (Sevent)

This flower extract is a Supplement that contains a proprietary blend of Chrysanthemum flowers, Honeysuckle flowers, Sophora Japonica flowers, Brunella flowers, Nodo Ginseng flowers, Water Fairy flowers, and Black Moss flowers.


20 May 2009

Blood Pressure Pills - Start taking the tablets

Blood Pressure Pills for all over 55


Latest news breaking is that a team of researchers conclude that
anyone over 55 would benefit from taking blood pressure pills and drugs to lower their blood pressure. The principle is that by taking drugs to lower blood pressure those who currently have "normal blood pressure" will benefit by this lowering. High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke and it is important that people take medication to combat this. Prof. Maryon-Davis, of the Faculty of Public Health, said: "Mass medication turns us all into patients and I don't think it's the best approach" Some support for the theory that by giving everybody blood pressure lowering drugs people would be far less alarmed than when they are diagnsed with high blood pressure.

Blood pressure medication is one of the safest and most studied medications however they do have side-effects and careful consideration should be given before prescribing them willy nilly.

Lowering blood pressure is undoubtedly a good thing - prevention is better than cure, but there are other proven ways to prevent high blood pressure such as healthy eating and regular exercise, which have other health benefits too.

There is a danger that these important lifestyle factors could be overlooked in favour of 'popping a pill'.

A far healthier way is for us to reduce our risk and increase our health by eating less salt and and taking more regular exercise.

Another way of looking at it is that mass consumption of blood pressure lowering drugsis much like the principle of vaccinating the entire population in the event of a flu pandemic.


28 April 2009

Blood Pressure Stress at Work - HR to the Rescue


Stress in the Workplace

Healthy debate about how best companies can show they care about employees health. The current recession has already cost many people their jobs and those still in work are likely to be suffering high degrees of stress surrounding the uncertainty of their own job security.

Stress - Blood Pressure

Elevated stress is often associated with poor diet and lifestyle which increase the chances of developing high blood pressure. Human Resources departments are keen to identify ways to perform under pressure and are issuing instructions about managing stress. This article on perfomance whilst avoiding stress offers simple lifestyle tips that will help maintain a healthy body - lowering blood pressure. Awareness days have been hugely successful - events such as blood pressure testing and more recently stress awareness and testing. One new product is a small square LCD thermometer. Press your finger to the square for a few seconds, and it changes colour depending on how stressed you are. The science behind the stress square is simple. Not measuring blood pressure as such but when we are relaxed, blood flows freely through the body. However, when we are ancxious or stressed, then blood is diverted to the muscles and essential organs, which means that our fingers cool.

Such devices can be stuck on mouse mats or desks and provide a great talking point for staff. As they can be used again and again, they are a simple stress management tool that lasts.

Elsewhere attempts by HR teams to encourage better health lower blood pressure have included association with gyms, bringing trainers into the work place and involving staff in setting goals by charting their activities, lifestyle changes and reduced blood pressure

28 March 2009

TEN NATURAL WAYS TO REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE

TEN “NATURAL” WAYS TO REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE AND LOWER ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL by Paula Owens

1. MANAGE STRESS: Although stress is a normal part of the human experience, it is how we manage stress. Stress and anxiety cause chemicals to be released into your body, raise your blood pressure and cause a reduction of blood flow to your heart. Most people in Stage 1 or 2 of adrenal fatigue typically have elevated blood pressure secondary to increased cortisol and adrenaline. Those with hypertension should always rule out heavy metal toxicity. LDL cholesterol levels may increase from excessive stress too.

Winning Formulas to Relax and Manage Stress (practice some form of stress reduction EVERY day):
  • Prioritize – write down your priorities
  • Breathe – Full, deep belly breathing. Start with a minimum of two minutes every day and gradually increase to ten minutes daily.
  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Massage
  • Listen to calm music
  • Warm, aromatherapy bath with 2 cups Epsom salts and 1 cup baking soda
  • Change how you view situations
  • Surround yourself with like-minded people and friends. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Be aware and eliminate unhealthy, stressful social behaviors including arguments, drama, drinking, inactivity, unhealthy eating and over-eating.
o University of Utah psychologist found that women in strained marriages are more likely to feel depressed and suffer high blood pressure, obesity and other signs of "metabolic syndrome," a group of risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Dissolve unhealthy lose-win relationships and focus on attracting only win-win relationships.

2. ELIMINATE ALL PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS (TRANS FATS): Partially hydrogenated oils are found in thousands of processed foods (breakfast cereals, cookies, chips, fried foods, packaged foods, all CRAP food). Trans fats are proven to cause heart disease. Restaurant food, especially from fast food chains, often serve food loaded with trans fats.

Consequences of a diet high in trans fats include:
↑ inflammation
↓immune function
↓testosterone
Arthritis
Cancer

Decrease IQ – learning disabilities. American IQ has dropped 20 points in the past 20 years.
Diabetes
Elevated blood pressure
Free radical production

Heart Disease
Interferes with neurological & visual development of fetus
Liver damage
Obesity
Osteoporosis
Type II diabetes

3. LOSE BODY FAT: This is achieved with the “4 Powers” – Nutrition, Lifestyle, Exercise and Supplements. Excess body fat stresses your joints and organs, including your heart. Decreasing body fat in a healthy, slow, steady manner will improve your health, lower your cholesterol and reduce blood pressure and your risk of diabetes.

4. CONSISTENT EXERCISE: This isn’t breaking news. Exercise will help you reduce stress, decrease body fat, increase your metabolism and lower your risk of diabetes. Adequate, consistent exercise will lower your blood pressure AND increase the “good” HDL cholesterol and lower your triglycerides. Take a brisk 30 minute walk every day. There is evidence that resistance training results in a more favorable balance in myocardial oxygen supply and demand than aerobic exercise due to the lower heart rate and higher myocardial perfusion pressure. Moderate intensity strength training can control or prevent hypertension. Circulation 116: 572-584, 2007.

5. ELIMINATE HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP: HFCS is the number one source of calories for most Americans and causes obesity. You’ll find high-fructose corn syrup in processed crap food, sodas, syrup that goes into your Latte from Starbucks, etc. HFCS is extremely toxic to your liver, increases inflammation, oxidative stress and creates an aggressive insulin response.

6. SUPPLEMENTS FOR HYPERTENSION: Omega-3 fish oils, magnesium, vitamin D, COQ10, Biotics VasculoSirt, Green Tea Extract, Hawthorne Extract, Digestive enzymes, Probiotics, Folic Acid, Ginger
Ginger has blood pressure-lowering effects that can protect against the chronic brain injury caused by hypertension. Vascul Pharmacol, 2005 Oct;43(4):234-41
Supplementation with at least 5000 microg/d folic acid for at least 6 weeks may reduce systolic blood pressure slightly. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2009; 8(1): 15-24.
Diuretics cause potassium levels to drop increasing the risk of hypokalemia.
Beta-blockers reduce heart rate and cardiac output potentially reducing exercise performance.
With calcium channel blockers systolic and diastolic blood pressures are reduced during exercise which may result in light headedness and peripheral edema post-exercise.
Additional side effects from hypertension drugs include: dizziness, increased risk of breast cancer, memory loss, nausea, asthma-like symptoms, joint pain and impotence in men.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL: Omega-3 fish oils, tocotrienols, pantethine, vitamin D, Biotics VasculoSirt or GlucoBalance, LipidSirt, CoQ10, Green Tea Extract

Read more about cholesterol and the side effects from statin drugs in my book, THE POWER OF 4 and by visiting my website www.paulaowens.com/news.html for my article on cholesterol

According to a recent study, men with higher vitamin D levels had a 59% reduction in heart attacks. So if vitamin D’s only benefit was to reduce coronary heart attack rates by 59%, the net savings (after deducting the cost of the vitamin D) if every American supplemented properly would be around $85 billion each year. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Jun 9; 168(11):1174-80

7. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE increase potassium rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and fish. Most Americans consume only half the recommended daily intake of potassium and twice the suggested limit for sodium! Potassium can influence BP levels by increasing sodium excretion from the body by stimulating the blood vessels to dilate, opening potassium channels.

FOR ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL increase consumption of plant sterols, sometimes called phytosterols. Plant sterols are the healthy compounds that occur naturally in a variety of plant foods such as fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts. These foods are recognized for their proven role in lowering LDL “bad” cholesterol levels.

FOR BOTH, ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL and HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE include beta-glucan for fiber, a natural occurring soluble fiber found in whole-grain, oat based cereals. Beta-glucan has LDL cholesterol lowering benefits and substantial decreases in blood pressure.

8. INCREASE CONSUMPTION OF SMART FATS and ORGANIC PROTEIN:
FATS - avocado, wild fish, raw (unsalted) organic nuts and seeds, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil
PROTEINS – Grass-fed beef and buffalo, cage-free poultry, wild salmon, fish, eggs, quality whey protein isolate or concentrate.

9. DECREASE ALCOHOL and CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION and INCREASE WATER INTAKE: Alcohol and caffeine cause adrenaline rushes that make blood pressure soar. Alcohol, sugar and processed, refined grains also lead to insulin resistance, hypertension and elevated cholesterol. Alcohol can affect your nerves and how your liver processes fat in the blood. Alcohol and caffeine disrupt blood glucose levels. Not only is alcohol hard on the body, just one drink can cause cellular death in several organs such as the brain.

Take your bodyweight and multiply by .7 – this will give you the number of ounces you should be drinking daily. Add a pinch of Celtic sea salt and lemon to your water.

10. ELIMINATE SUGAR, REFINED CARBOHYDRATES and ALL ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: Phenylalanine, especially found in Nutra-Sweet and OTC antihistamines, can aggravate high blood pressure.

Sugar is more addictive than cocaine! Sugar has a profound influence on your brain function and your psychological function. When you consume excess amounts of sugar, your body releases excess amounts of insulin, which in turn causes a drop in your blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. Sugar and refined carbohydrates wreak havoc on blood glucose levels.

In addition, sugar is pro-flammatory and damages skin collagen and promotes again and wrinkles, increases your appetite, depletes your body of B vitamins, causes joint degeneration, ADHD and other behavior disorders, stimulates cholesterol synthesis and weight gain. This is just a small list of sugars’ toxic side effects.

Proteinuria in a person with high blood pressure is an indicator of declining kidney function. Proteinuria is a condition in which urine contains an abnormal amount of protein. Proteins are the building blocks for all body parts, including muscles, bones, hair, and nails. Proteins in your blood also perform a number of important functions. They protect you from infection, help your blood clot, and keep the right amount of fluid circulating throughout your body. If the hypertension is not controlled, the person can progress to full renal failure. High blood pressure is the second leading cause of ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) – diabetes is the first. The first sign of deteriorating kidney function is the presence of small amounts of albumin in the urine called microabluminuria. As kidney function declines, the amount of albumin in the urine increases and microalbuminuria becomes full-fledged porteinuria.

Hypertension and elevated cholesterol (as well as diabetes) can be managed WITHOUT pharmaceutical drugs. HOW? Healthy lifestyle habits, stress management, supplements, diet and nutrition, a proper exercise program and fat loss.

10 February 2009

Don't be a Heart Breaker - Change

Global Economic Climate Down - Blood Pressure Up.

Leading cardiologists report that the steep downturn in the economic climate can have severe affect on the heart. Increased stress, poor eating habits and lifestyles combined with less money all combine to potentially rincrease the chance of suffering high blood pressure leadding to heart problems. “We’ve seen an increase in patients complaining about heart palpitations, anxiety and stress in the past months,” said a leading professor of cardiology, at this School of Medicine. There are many ways to reduce your risk:

One area that is being investigated is the calming effects of contributing to society. Studies have shown that those who do good for the benefit of others enjoy boosted levels of seratonin and feel fulfilment that leads to lower anxiety. One such area is the issue of climate change and how it is already impacting peoples lives globally.

Time for Change says:

"If you believe passionately about a big issue, for example global warming and climate change, it is likely that by doing nothing you will feel saddened and depressed. Consider someone who has had the misfortune of becoming redundant and facing unemployment - the knowledge of not lending a hand to act on the issues of climate change will cause a deflation of self esteem. The knock on of this will be a tendancy to fall into bad lifestyle habits as listed below and raise blood pressure."

Anyone who chooses to actively get invloved and make a difference to climate change will certainly experience a feel good factor both in the short and long term. Climate change is only one of many examples where people can raise awareness and take action - but once you feel that you fully appreciate the devastating effects of climate change and the injustice it inflicts around the world.

Its easy to get invloved and contribute to good causes - and you'll feel better for it!"

Other Lifestyle Changes
Eat more simple, fresh foods, you can more easily maintain a healthy weight. Avoid salty, fatty food.

Watch your blood pressure, too. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and heart disease.

Know your numbers - blood pressure readings:


Your systolic blood pressure ideally will be lowerr than 140 and diastolic under 90 - 140/90
Don't skimp on healthcare equipment - the arrival of budget blood pressure monitors on the high street have caused concerns in the healthcare industry over their accuracy. Lloyds Pharmacy for example are selling an upper arm, digital blood pressure monitor for ten pounds. However recent reviews suggest that not only is the lloyds pharmacy blood pressure monitor uncomfortable but its accuracy is doubted. Recommendations to get the best value for money monitor is to choose a clinically tested and approved machine. These may cost a little more than the lloyds economy monitors but you will be more certain of the results.
Keep exercising. forget paying for expensive gym memberships, go for a walk walks, do house work and play with children.

Above all
reduce stress. Redirect your anxiety by exercising, meditating or spending time making changes and keep in touch with family and friends.

14 January 2009

Blood Pressure Travel Tips


Things to consider in the New Year if you have high blood pressure.

January is traditionally the time that many people think about booking holidays or trips to forget about the miserable weather in the UK.

Many questions are asked at this time of year about what to consider if you are planning to travel and have high blood pressure so we are delighted to inform that the publication of two new information sheets about holidays, travel and blood pressure.

Managing blood pressure on holiday looks at the practical things you can do and arrangements to make when going on holiday or travelling abroad and have to treat high blood pressure

This is accompanied by a helpful article about travel insurance for people with high blood pressure. Many people wrongly believe that they cannot get travel insurance if they are diagnosed with high blood pressure. In the same way that the myth that they will lose their jobs should they declared diagnosis took a while to correct we think that the information here should help clarify the position and allow people to make holiday plans and

Although it is essential that you tell your insurers that you have high blood pressure there are only a few jobs and activities that are prohibited in the insurance cover you get

Resperate available in the UK

Something else positive is the announcement that Resperate - a device that is intended to help lower blood pressure naturally will soon be on sale at Medi Save

Its been a long time coming so lets hope that thorough testing has shown Resperate to be a useful tool to use in conjunction with other treatments to help lower high blood pressure.

Resperate is a portable device and you will be able to take it with you on your travels to keep up biofeedback exercises that should slow your breathing with results in a lowering of blood pressure.

Another top tip from the Holiday guide is to consider buying a cheap Lloyds blood pressure monitor rather than risk losing or damaging a more expensive device whilst travelling. Both Resperate and cheap blood pressure monitors are available online at Medical Supply Saver Stores and can be delivered to your door.