The research that supported this stated that two cups (500 ml) of beet juice lowered blood pressure by approximately 10 points and the effect lasts up to 24 hours.

I hope that helps and good luck!

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A hearty question: Beet juice and hypertension

Post from: Blisstree

Our Last Poll Of 2007…

High blood pressure among our children… Working in an urgent care facility, I see every single age group and demographic every single time I work. But I am getting very bothered by the number of children whose blood pressure is alarmingly high! I mean like 152/96 and 146/94. That is no joke high!! What will happen to these children if there are no changes made?

And I know that this is not very clinical and exactly factual, but most of these kids are overweight. Before you write a comment saying that I shouldn’t make generalizations, remember that I said it was a very broad statement and observation, and I said the word MOST.

Have you come across this? Have you heard anything first hand? Is your child’s blood pressure normal? Do you worry about heart disease among your children?

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Our Children’s Blood Pressure Really Worries Me!

What is the reason behind this very, very frightening little statistic…

One of the biggest reasons that hypertension is missed in children is that normal blood pressure values change based on a child’s age, gender and height. So, while 120/80 mm/Hg is a normal reading for an adult and for some older children, that same reading could indicate high blood pressure in a younger, shorter child.

So my suggestion is to be that pushy parent. Yes, take it from a nurse mommy of 3 that has had her fair share of hospital stays and doctors appointments. If you have a question or concern, bring it to the clinicians attention. And if you don’t like the answer or explanation, get a second opinion. Hypertension is scary to begin with, but when you throw children into the mix it becomes terrifying!

via Everyday Health

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Hypertension Often Missed In Children

• Bone abnormalities in the skull
• Inhibition of growth
• Fatal kidney damage

Of 209 infants who were exposed to ACE inhibitors in the first trimester, 18 had birth defects with 9 of these children having heart defects. This translates to 2.7 times greater risk of birth defects in children born of mothers who had taken ACE inhibitors in the first trimester.

What’s the alternative for women who need to take medication for blood pressure control? There’s no clear answer. Most drugs are not tested in pregnant women using the gold standard randomized clinical trial format for ethical reasons. What little observational data available from studying women who unintentionally expose themselves to various drugs during pregnancy leave some room for doubt.

More interestingly, because women are having children later, they are more prone to chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and are more likely to be on daily medication. Dr. Jan M. Friedman of the University of British Columbia recommends that “women who have taken ACE inhibitors during the first trimester should have fetal ultrasound scans and echocardiograms at about 18 weeks.”

The New York Times, June 8, 2006

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ACE Inihibitors for Blood Pressure and Birth Defects

Cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, abnormal blood lipid pattern, hypertension and smoking predispose a person to atherosclerosis. Evidence also suggests that insulin resistance itself, independent of other risk factors, could be a major determinant of atherosclerosis.

For the latest news and info on diabetes, check out our sister b5media blog: Diabetes Notes.

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Heart Condition Saturday: Diabetes