All strokes damage the brain by disrupting circulation, but strokes come in multiple varieties. Because different parts of the brain are specialized to perform specific functions, symptoms produced by strokes vary according to what part of the brain was injured. In one patient the symptom might be weakness on one side of the body. In another it might be a partial loss of vision. In still another, a loss of speech. And symptoms can vary in intensity from mild to severe according to how large the area of damage is and whether it occurred in a pivotal location.

Strokes can also vary according to another fundamental difference — whether they involve a blocked blood vessel or a hemorrhage. Most strokes are due to the former in which brain-tissue damaged by lack of circulation is called an infarction. But 10-15 of strokes involve bleeding from ruptured blood vessels within the brain tissue, and while it’s bad enough to have an infarction, hemorrhagic strokes intracerebral hemorrhages can be even more devastating.

One prominent figure with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is Ariel Sharon, whose hemorrhagic stroke occurred while he was still prime minister of Israel. Although some patients with intracerebral hemorrhage recover to a point of being able to enjoy other people and regain some independence in functioning, Sharon’s poor clinical outcome is all too common in patients with this disease.

The additional problem with hemorrhagic strokes is that the new deposit of blood occupies space — sometimes a lot of it — and there is only so much space within the skull braincase to go around. The fresh hemorrhage crowds and distorts the brain-tissue next to it, and additionally subjects the rest of the brain to increased pressure that can itself be damaging. Because of these distortions and pressure-changes, a patient with intracerebral hemorrhage often shows a decreased level of consciousness or even coma.

Another kind of spontaneous bleed within the braincase is subarachnoid hemorrhage, often caused by ruptured aneurysms outside the brain but inside the braincase. While this, too, is a very serious condition, it is not the focus of this particular essay, and spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages are not caused by aneurysms of this kind. Yet another kind of bleed that can be confused with primary intracerebral hemorrhage is secondary hemorrhage. This occurs in some patients who started out with infarctions of the brain but who had subsequent bleeding from fragile blood-vessels around the infarction’s edges. This kind of bleed is not quite as serious as that which occurs when the bleed is primary the initial event.

How are intracerebral hemorrhages diagnosed? Since the 1970s when computed tomographic CT scans were introduced, this imaging technique has been the most effective and sensitive tool. A fresh hemorrhage within brain tissue is dramatically evident on CT scans. And unlike infarctions that can take a day or two to show up on CT scans, hemorrhages are already visible at the earliest moment a scan can be made.

Although surgical removal of blood-clots from the surface of the brain — called subdural and epidural hematomas — can be life-saving and function-sparing, surgery for a bleed hematoma or blood-clot within the brain tissue itself is another story. Some studies comparing outcome between operated and unoperated patients with intracerebral hemorrhage showed improved outcome, on average, for operated patients, while still others showed worsened outcome. Operated or unoperated, patients had high rates of death and disability.

Because of the limited prospects for meaningful improvement, surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage is often an act of desperation. One crusty old clinician was blunt about the direness of the situation, saying, “Show me a patient with intracerebral hemorrhage whose life was saved by surgery, and I’ll show you a patient you wish you hadn’t operated on.” His point was that survivors of this operation usually show severe impairments.

However, one form of hemorrhage within brain tissue is probably a special case, and that is hemorrhage within the cerebellum, located within the bony braincase just above the nape of the neck. Surgical extraction of blood clots occurring within the cerebellum prevents excessive pressure on the nearby brainstem that handles a lot of basic and necessary functions, like breathing.

Administration of cortisol-type steroids is a nonsurgical treatment that has been studied in a scientific way, comparing treated patients to untreated patients with the same condition. The steroids didn’t help. Decreasing the patients’ blood pressures by administering medication has likewise been studied, but with the same outcome — no benefit. However, in a preliminary study one nonsurgical treatment showed promise. Intravenous administration of activated factor VII a natural component of the blood-clotting system reduced expansion of the intracerebral blood-clot, death and disability when given within four hours of the initial hemorrhage. A larger study is underway to see if this benefit holds up under further analysis.

Otherwise, what can be done acutely for this condition? Individualizing treatment seems rational, even if unproved. For example, if the patient had a bleed while taking a blood-thinner as was the case with Ariel Sharon then it makes sense to stop the blood-thinner or reverse its effects. Supportive management, like administering intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration, monitoring for irregular heartbeats and protecting the patient’s airway also make sense. If the patient can’t consume food in the usual way, feeding through tubes or intravenous lines can be considered, though this decision can be postponed until the patient’s prospects are more apparent.

Who is at risk for intracerebral hemorrhage? Neurologists at Malmo University Hospital in Malmo, Sweden, compared 147 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage with 1029 similar but stroke-free patients in order to determine risk factors. They found that hypertension high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated triglyceride levels in the bloodstream, history of psychiatric problems, smoking and surprisingly short stature were more frequent in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

However, when it comes to modifiable risk-factors those that one can do something about a variety of studies indicate that hypertension is the single most important factor. Thus, treatment of hypertension, when present, is probably the single most effective thing that one can do in order to prevent this disease.

C 2006 by Gary Cordingley

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition and is often dubbed the silent killer because it can do so much damage to your body before you even know you have it.
High blood pressure can cause heart failure, stroke and even death in the most serious cases. And, did you know that some of the medications your doctor may prescribe could do almost as much damage as the high blood pressure itself? Such medications can have rather serious side effects including dizziness, nausea, stomach problems, loss of appetite, fatigue, impotence and insomnia.

Herbs for Hypertension

There are a number of scientific studies that indicate that a natural approach or treatment for your high blood pressure could be an effective alternative. There are many different herbs that are used to treat hypertension, including the following

Hawthorn, also known as Crataegus Oxyacantha, is a well-known heart tonic and is one of the best safe herbal supplements to help treat hypertension. By dilating the blood vessels Hawthorn can provide your heart with the level of energy it needs to pump your blood. Hawthorn is full of anti-oxidants, which can keep plaque from building up on the arterial walls and reduce the risk of a heart attack. It works only it its taken consistently for a long period of time.

You can find hawthorn in herbal formulas designed to treat high blood pressure. Also, you can make a tea with this herb by adding two teaspoons of crushed leaves and berries to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for approximately twenty minutes, then strain and drink. You may drink up to two cups of this tea per day.

Another highly studied herb that is used to treat hypertension is Passiflora Incarnata. This herb contains different natural chemicals that help to calm the entire body, relax the blood vessels and help reduce overall blood pressure. To make a tea using passion flower mix a teaspoon of dried leaves with a cup of boiling water and let it steep for about fifteen minutes. Strain and drink before going to bed.

Viburnum Opulus, also known as Guelder Rose bark is considered a cardiac tonic. It helps to relax the body and get rid of the tension that usually is associated with high blood pressure.
To learn about other herbs used to treat hypertension visit

Pulmonary hypertension is due to increase in pressure of pulmonary artries. Some diseases can narrow the blood vessels in the lungs, which leads to high blood pressure in the lungs even when blood pressure in the rest of the body is normal. It may be due to lung diseases or heart diseases. Pulmonary hypertension is a highly fatal disorder since the strain of pumping blood through narrowed vessels often leads to failure of the heart muscle. When the heart muscle fails, the lungs cannot supply enough oxygen to meet the body’s needs.

There are various treaments available for pulmonary hypertension. Goals of treament are
Dilate pulmonary vessels
Decrease thickening of blood
Decrease preload on heart
Increase oxygen supply to lungs
Prevention and treatment of respiratory infection
Increase cardiac output
Treat cause of secondary Pulmonary hypertension.
Any treatment which dilates pulmonary vessels can decease pulmonary hypertension. Treatments for this disorder widen the damaged blood vessels in the lung and make it easier for the heart to pump blood through the lungs. How can we dilate these pulmonary vessels?

One such drug epoprostenol is effective only if given intravenously through a small plastic tube that must remain in the vein permanently. Another treatment involves continuous inhalation of a gas nitric oxide that also widens blood vessels in the lungs. A newer approach has been an inhaled mist form of epoprostenol called iloprost. Because each mist treatment lasts only about 60 minutes, up to 12 treatments each day are required. Each of these treatments has its drawbacks and side effects. You cant take these orally, and have shorter duration of action. Recently, researchers learned that a drug Viagra sildenafil citrate the erectile-dysfunction drug used by more than 26 million men worldwide,can enhance and prolong the actions of both iloprost and nitric oxide.

Viagra’s Active Ingredient Treats Pulmonary Hypertension
New drug Revatio, which contains sildenafil citrate, the same active ingredient found in the erectile-dysfunction drug Viagra, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration FDA for treating pulmonary hypertension. Revatio is white and round; Viagra is a blue diamond.Will the drug work long-term? “Only time will tell,” says Norman Edelman, medical director of the American Lung Association. “Anything that lowers blood pressure in the lungs and can do it over time will probably prolong life.”

Good thing about this drug “it can be given orally, rather than intravenously or in an injection.” The only other drug that can be given orally, Bosentan, can damage the liver. Studies are underway to see whether Revatio can be given with Bosentan and other drugs to yield an even bigger benefit.

Revatio’s known side effects are typical of those for Viagra blue-tinged vision, muscle aches, flushing. Unwanted erections have been noted but very rare cases.

Although survival rates over 18 months increased from 65 to 95 with the use of Revatio, it is unknown if the drug will work long-term. When combined with standard treatments for pulmonary hypertension, sildenafil may significantly improve control of this fatal disease. Because experience with this treatment is limited, it is too early to make firm recommendations for treatment.

This article for Patients of pulmonary hypertension is presented for informational purposes only. This article is not a substitute for advice from your own medical provider. If you have questions about this material, or need medical advice about your own health or situation, please contact your physician

If you want to know more about , visit our site highbloodpressuremed.com

The Mediterranean diet is not some new fad diet … dreamed up by a weight-loss “guru” or as a new health measure. It is thousands of years old. People living along the Mediterranean Sea have been eating a natural diet … that has been proven in numerous studies to reduce the risk of heart attack and keep blood pressure from rising.

The great thing about the Mediterranean diet is … it’s a pleasure to eat and you’re much more likely to stick with it. It’s easy to adopt this diet as there are no special requirements. Unlike the radical requirements of many fad diets, the Mediterranean diet doesn’t ask you to make impractical changes in your eating … it offers you a way of eating that you can maintain long-term. It will lead you to long-term health benefits.

What is a Mediterranean Diet

Amongst the people of Greece, southern France, and parts of Italy … natural whole foods are a large part of the diet. Fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, and olive oil are the heavy hitters in protecting your heart and lowering your blood pressure. Drinking wine with meals is an old custom … and gives even more health benefits.

The Mediterranean diet doesn’t look at all fats as bad. Instead, this way of eating makes wise choices in the fats that are used. Low in saturated fat … the Mediterranean diet is full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats.

Since mainly whole foods are eaten along the Mediterranean Sea … the deadly trans-fats — found in fast foods and bakery goods — are greatly reduced.

Living on a Sea Gives you Lots of Fish

Fish are a big part of the Mediterranean diet. Eating lots of fish has been recognized as being heart protective for quite a while, now. Especially, fatty fish are good for your heart and blood pressure … they are full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Eating fish 2-3 times a week is a great way to lower blood pressure and ensure a long, healthy life.

Lots of Olive Trees Grow Along the Mediterranean Sea

Olive trees grow on sunny hillsides … providing both tasty olives and golden olive oil. Olive oil is used in most Mediterranean cooking … drizzled on rough chunks of whole-grain bread, mixed in salads, used in making tomato sauces. The flavonoids in virgin olive oil lower blood pressure and increase your levels of good HDL cholesterol.

That … and olive oil tastes great and gives off a wonderful fragrance when heated.

Nuts Are an Ancient Energy Source

Since the Stone Age, nuts have been an important source of energy. Shunned a few decades ago because of their high fat content … nuts were given a bum rap. The fats in nuts are good fats … healthy fats that will lower your blood pressure and protect your heart.

Just a handful of nuts — especially walnuts — is a tasty way to protect your heart.

Wash Your Meal Down With a Glass of Red Wine

A glass of red wine goes great with Mediterranean meals. Your heart will also enjoy the glass of wine. Red wine is rich in healthy flavonoids — anti-oxidants that protect your heart from dangerous free radicals. Enjoy a daily glass or two and lower your blood pressure … lower your risk of heart attack.

Recent studies have shown that light red wine drinkers have less risk than non-drinkers. Just don’t over-do it.

A Great Diet to Start Today

The main feature of the Mediterranean diet is the focus on natural whole foods … a shift away from unhealthy processed foods with their dangerous bad fats. And, the good thing is … it’s so easy to get started. Nothing radical … just ask those who live healthy lives along the Mediterranean Sea.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women. If you are a women, and even if your not, here is what you need to start doing.

The food you eat is critical in determining if you will have high blood pressure and if you can lower it. Eating less meat and eating more fruits and vegetables can lower your blood pressure.

High blood pressure occurs when fats, cholesterol, and nutrients in the food you eat start to accumulate along your artery walls. This narrowing of your arteries restricts the flow of your blood, increases your blood pressure and making you more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes.

If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high trigylcerides, grapefruit has been found to reduce the effects of these conditions.

So which is better yellow or red grapefruit? Well, in a study made where people who had a history of high cholesterol, those that ate the red grapefruit had the most effect in lower their blood pressure. The yellow also lowered blood pressure but not as much as the red grapefruit.

It was found in this study that grapefruit had a better effect in lowering blood pressure than statin drugs.

Red grapefruit are extra high in anti-oxidants and these nutrients are able to reduce your trigylcerides the yellow are not.

Eat the red grapefruit when available and when it is not eat the yellow. Eat at least one – two per day. If you eat just before your meal or drink a glass of fresh grapefruit, you can expect to lose 1 or 2 lbs during the month. By eating 2 grapefruits a day expect to lose more weight.

Eating grapefruit has many health benefits, but one other is in controlling your insulin level. Studies have shown that those that eat grapefruits have lower insulin and glucose levels in their blood.

It is believed by researchers that grapefruit enzymes help to control insulin increases that happen after you eat. These enzymes help digest your food better and this results in less nutrients being stored as fat.

Grapefruit has also been found to be caner preventative. It’s the phytonutrients – antioxidants – and especially lycopene that has been found helpful in preventing cancer.

Grapefruits are high in fiber, vitamin C, Vitamin A, and antioxidants – carotenoids, limonoid glucosides, flavonones.

You can buy red and yellow grapefruits from November to May here in the US. If you don’t have any in your area go online and order some.

CAUTION If you are on any drugs, do not eat grapefruits in combination with taking drugs. Grapefruit enhances the effect of drugs and can cause symptoms of overdose.

Home remedies and homeopathic medicine have begun popular over the years as an alternative to prescription drugs. Many people are not aware that there are also home remedies available to lower your blood pressure. What is nice about a home remedy is the lower cost and eliminating the unfavorable side effects of prescribed medicines. Another advantage of home remedies is that while it may be used to alleviate one symptom, it often has other health benefits. Many home remedies can be found in your local supermarket and health food store.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, here are a few home remedies. These remedies will not only lower your blood pressure but are good for your general health too.

Below are a few home remedies to help lower your blood pressure

Potassium and Magnesium. Foods high in these minerals are bananas, molasses, soy and bananas. Some fruits such as watermelon and grapes are also a good source. Not only will these foods lower your blood pressure but are beneficial to your overall health too.
Garlic has many beneficial properties that improve overall health, including lowering your blood pressure. Consumption of garlic will also reduce blot clot occurrences in individuals. It is believed by some researches that garlic will also lower the triglyceride levels.

Therefore, you are probably wondering what a triglyceride is. A triglyceride is a glyceride that occurs naturally in tissues and consists of three fatty acids that are bound together in a single molecule. They are an important energy source forming much of the fat stored in the body.

You can research on how to lower your blood pressure using home remedies in many ways. The internet has a wealth of information dedicated to home remedies and homeopathic medicine to lower your blood pressure. Bookstores and libraries also offer an abundance of information. With a little research, you can find alternatives to prescription drugs for lowering your blood pressure.

As with any alternative health remedies, consult with your physician before discontinuing any prescribed medicines. Abruptly taking your prescription medicine could have serious and long-term effects on your health.