Going Off Blood Pressure Medication
First this note/disclaimer: “The information found here has not been approved by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” I'm only sharing our own story, your situation may be VERY different, and I'm not a medical professional or anywhere close. Use this information only to do more research on your own and beware, just going off blood pressure medication willy-nilly or too quickly could cause a stroke or other health problems, proceed carefully with your doctor's help!
Over a year ago now we had a huge scare that ended up with Kent in the emergency room with a blood pressure that got all the way up to 210/118 at one point! Read that story and find MORE natural methods for supporting blood pressure health over there–today I'll tell you what exactly we ended up doing to wean Kent OFF blood pressure medication, but there may be a different natural remedy that works for you.
I hated waiting in the pharmacy line. And what's “safe” now, often is NOT safe the next minute…
I know, I know. Sometimes we need the drugs. Many times in life we might be really happy to have them, like when I had that kidney stone! But I hated knowing Kent was likely going to be on his blood pressure pills the rest of his life, and I'd be in that pharmacy line the rest of my life picking it up for him. After all the ranting I do here on the site about the rampant corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, it just felt wrong standing there. Especially knowing what I know now, about how supportive natural methods can be. AND the way drugs are “safe” one minute and then pulled off the shelves for safety issues the next like this blood pressure medication, I just don't trust the drug makers to know what they're doing!
First I had to convince him.
He was sure that his blood pressure issues were genetic, and that could be true, almost everyone in his immediate family has high blood pressure, but I still wasn't convinced that meant he had to be on blood pressure meds forever. If we tried everything we could and he still needed the meds, then okay, and we'd be thankful for them, but first I really wanted to give the natural methods a shot at helping him have a healthy blood pressure!
So I did what any good blogger would do. I asked my reader friends!
Between my initial post on our scary visit to the ER where I shared quite a few methods for lowering blood pressure naturally, the comments there, subsequent Facebook discussions, and some helpful emails from many of you, my intelligent and generous reader friends who love to help others, I had plenty of ideas on what to try. (However, no, I wouldn't blindly follow advice found online or anywhere–this was just a starting point.) Kent, being the open-and very natural-minded guy that he is, was game to try…
THIS PART IS VERY IMPORTANT!
I am not a doctor, not even close. I have to restate my disclaimer that is always in place and visible on and around my site: Do not take anything here as medical advice. I’m sharing what we've learned in researching this and he's carefully trying things, but you need to do your own research, talk to your doctor or naturopath, and find what works best for YOU. Blood pressure is really truly nothing to screw around with!
Here's how we started:
1. First you need a reliable electric arm BP cuff–I asked him to get super consistent at taking his blood pressure every night, twice. He recorded his second reading in a notebook, and he's done this every night since January. Before we did anything we wanted an accurate idea of what his normal numbers were. (I say “normal”, but these were his normal numbers on his medication.)
2. This stuff he was already doing:
- He takes this probiotic (<– the only kind I recommend) along with this K2 for heart health. (Use the code KOP for a discount if you decide to get those.)
- He was already great about taking cod liver oil daily, which is great for many health reasons, but in this case due to the omega 3's (supports heart health big time). The KOP code works there too, and also for the next one…
- He takes these liver capsules (to support liver health because an unhealthy liver can cause blood pressure problems).
- He continues to get 8 hours of sleep every night, he's really good about this.
- He also exercises and practices intermittent fasting regularly.
- He loves real, whole foods and loves my cooking. (Who couldn't with all the healthy fats? Don't be afraid of animal fats, these are GOOD for us, and avoid anything with canola or soybean oil like the plague!) Read more about this in my book, Real Food for Rookies.
- This may have been the biggest thing of all, though: his prayer life is better than ever, and he's much more calm these days, even with his job that has been very stressful lately, and even with the close call last week that almost made me a widow. (I'm still thanking God for that one!)
3. Kent and I talked about the many natural options to try and decided to start with these—even if you're not doing the stuff above, these can still work:
- This garlic supplement, one in the morning, one in the evening. (It didn't make him smell at all, which he was concerned about!)
- This really dark chocolate, one piece daily.
- This natural supplement to promote heart health–this is probably the most important one. (Note: a reader in the comments below warned about this:
The heart health supplement you mention has a powerful herbal ingredient which is the source of the drug Reserpine. While it is a natural treatment, it is a powerful one that can cause serious side effects such as anxiety, a heart rate that is dangerously low, and others. For more info see the wikipedia entry for reserpine. I wish you well. Please be careful. Kent has not had any of these serious side effects, but it's good to be aware! - Turmeric is another good anti-inflammatory supplement.
NOTE: Now that I'm learning more about homeopathy, I was told that Arnica is a good option for high blood pressure. You'd have to dig in to learn more as far as potency and frequency, but that's a tip for you! I didn't know much at all about homeopathic remedies back when this happened, or I'd have researched that a lot more.
4. Once he was taking the above for a month or so and after we talked to his doctor, we started having him wean off his meds, all while continuing to monitor his blood pressure, of course. We did it in very slow steps. He was taking one BP pill daily (he was on a low-dose already), so first he went to every other day for a while, then every third day, and then none. He's now been off the meds completely for over a month. I loved it when the pharmacy called to tell us to come get his meds and we could ignore it–these methods really do support your quest for a healthy blood pressure!!
As you can see by his log he's doing great:
Reader stories
Big thanks to those of you who shared your stories with me, too!
My husband had high blood pressure and was taking medication (beta-blockers) for 10 years. We switched our diet from a ‘heart-healthy' low-fat mediterranean diet to a high-fat, medium carb, completely unprocessed diet, and he started taking this garlic supplement daily, drinking hibiscus tea, and taking some extra magnesium most days – he's been medication free for 2.5 years now, and his blood pressure is perfect! There is good research coming from Australia confirming that aged garlic has the same impact on blood pressure as medication. This is the link to a podcast with one of the researchers. By the way, his high blood pressure tendency was also considered hereditary, as both his parents have been on medicaton for years, and they are not overweight, don’t drink or smoke, are not stressed and have a pretty relaxed lifestyle.” (Thanks Gina!)
Thanks for your article. I have a similar story. I eat a healthy diet, avoid all processed foods or too much sugar. I workout several times a week–resistance and cardio training. I live a fairly stress-free life, spend time in prayer daily and take numerous supplements including high dose vitamin C and ubiquinol, calcium, omegas, turmeric, etc., but I still have hypertension, well I used to!! My maternal grandfather died due to a stroke in his 50's, my mother and brother are thin, fit and also hypertensive! I saw my doctor about three years ago, and after checking my blood pressure she told me I was a walking stroke, but she knew my thoughts about conventional medicine. She gave me six months to find my own natural remedy. It took me about two years; I tried almost everything you mentioned. I spent far too many dollars. Finally, I found a cure… I take this heart health supplement. I also take take Beetroot capsules. I had to play around with the dosage, but I take one heart health pill in the morning and evening (if I take too much I feel stressed and irritable), and same with the Beetroot. My blood pressure is normal and I am happy. I hope this helps!” (Thanks Karen!)
I, too, have had this up and down with my blood pressure for the last 10 years. I have literally tried EVERYthing to fix it. Believing that God would help me find an answer, I didn't want to resort to conventional meds for this. I finally got my answer and solution. After every diet, exercise, herb, cleanse, I made a call to doctor Thomas Cowan in CA and he told me to get the same heart health supplement and to take two in the morning, two in the afternoon, two in the evening until blood pressure is normal. Within 1 month my numbers were so low I had to cut down to one a day. Now I take one about once a week. It's all natural and really really works!!! I asked her, “Did he say if it's something you stay on forever then? And if so, is that safe?” She replied, “At the time I spoke with him I wanted to get pregnant again, so naturally I was concerned about safety. He said that it is perfectly safe to take while pregnant and even to take for life. It has herbs that strengthen the heart. Good for people to take for maintaining a healthy heart even if they don't have high blood pressure. I've experimented a bunch of different ways taking them after my BP went down. It seems for me that I can only go a week or two without taking it before my numbers start climbing again. Which is fine. I don't mind taking one every week or so. It's pretty powerful stuff and all natural too. I have been taking it for 3 years now with absolutely no side effects either!” (Thanks Kelly!)
Many of my family members have had success with Hibiscus Tea. There’s lots of research out there, so it might be worth looking into! (Thanks Emily!)
One last important reminder:
Even herbs or natural supplements can be powerful, and they can interact with other herbs or medications you may be taking. Be careful with this and get help from your doctor or natural health practitioner! Do not blindly trust what you read here or anywhere, there is too much I don't know, be your own health advocate.
Have you gotten yourself off blood pressure medication?
Please share your stories in the comments to help others, thank you!
What is YOUR health issue? If I can help you, shoot me an email! [email protected].
Here's more you might like:
Bob Woodson says
Today’s doctors don’t know what doctors used to know. That is because the AMA and medical schools are run by big money moguls. They want profits not cured patients. Yes, they trick is to make us continuous patients.
And I do recommend everyone do their own research for any medical ailment. Done correctly you will save money, lots of money.
Back in 2012 I had a small skin growth on my lower arm. I found through research it was one of two types of skin growths. One being cancer.
So I went and had a trained and experienced doctor look at the growth. He said he had never seen such a thing, he said he didn’t know what it was. An experienced doctor did not know what I already knew? He went to college, I didn’t!? He did offer to remove it. I agreed.
The very simple and minor surgery cost me $3,000! It was the cancer, but no further treatment was required. A trusted friend could have removed the growth with a razor blade for free.
I had other skin growths on my face and arms. I found a Native American Salve said to remove all growths, including cancer. I ordered some. It cost $33 for 20g. You use an amount the size of a match head. Keep it covered and moist. In ten to twelve days the growth is gone. Over a few years I removed 16 other growths. Four were the same type cancer the doctor had removed. Total cost? Just the original $33. I still have some of that salve left. At $3,000 a piece I saved myself $48,000! Remember that when you do your research. It is not hard. In no time you will know more than your doctor.
The same doctor said I had extremely high blood pressure. That I needed to get on BP meds right away. I declined. I had previously read some on BP meds. They are harmful to humans. The doctor then insisted that I needed to get on BP meds quickly, or I could have a heart attack or a stroke, that would leave me unable to move or speak. I still refused.
But I did do more personal research. I found what to do for high blood pressure. The key is Potassium it is used throughout the body, working with calcium to control your blood pressure and aiding the prostrate. Americans are deficient in Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium. Some calcium types are flushed out of the body as waste, doing you no good. Coral Calcium is the easiest form of calcium for the body to absorb. Calcium is used not only throughout the body. Calcium is the most used mineral in the body, and is used in every cell in the body. It is not just for bones.
I had removed table salt from my home decades ago. But I did remove all junk food snacks. I improved my diet some, I eat much more healthy foods, including fresh frozen vegetables. I put potassium on everything I fix to eat. Including soups and salads.
Calcium also removes acid from the body. That is one of the main functions of calcium. Acid aids cancer. If you are told you have cancer, take coral calcium to help remove the acid. But it also works to keep your bones and joints strong. If you have an ache or minor pain in your fingers, or even a stiffness – take coral calcium and it will be gone by morning. Coral calcium also helps clear up arthritis. But serious arthritis will require taking coral calcium for a few days or more.
It has been ten years, and I have not suffered the heart attack or the stroke that doctor warned me about.
I’m 77, and I feel quite well. No problems. And I seem to be in better shape than others my age. Because of COVID, I’m not getting out for exercise as much as I’d like. But when the medicos realize they can’t beat COVID with the methods they are using, maybe we can get back to a normal life.
Everyone needs to know, the AMA banned 15 proven natural cancer cures as far back as the 1950s or further. They didn’t test any one of them before banning, them. They all have a 90%+ cure rate. They are used around the world to cure cancer. They are only banned in the US!
It is said COViD has killed 700,000 people in the US in these last two years. Wow, that is a big number.
I found it said, in a non headline report, that cancer has killed 600,000 people per year on average. Double that to match the two years they use for COVID deaths, and you come up with 1,200,000 deaths. Can you see? That is 500,000 more than the 700,000 COVID deaths in two years. Now here is a thought, take one of those banned, but proven, natural cancer cures, and apply that to the 1,200,000 forecast deaths for the next two years, and what do you get? Cancer deaths drop to 120,000 deaths for two years. Cut that in half and you can see the yearly cancer deaths would be cut to 60,000. Medical officials could do that if they matched the money given COVID, and put an equal amount out to end cancer deaths.
But then the AMA loses 90% of its cancer treatment income. Let’s do that!
Sarah says
Your story is so encouraging! So much great information. Is your husband still doing well with his bp on this combo? Did you add one thing at a time as you went along or take them all at once when he started them? Also, what did he start out on with the Heart Health Supplement and is he still taking that same dose or did he have to go up or down? Thanks a bunch!
KitchenKop says
Hi Sarah,
Yes he’s still doing so well that we’ve talked about slowly weaning him off the supplements to see how he’d do. We put him on all of this at once back then because we just wanted him off the meds. He has always taken one a day of the heart supplement.
Any other questions, let me know. 🙂
Kelly
Sarah says
Thanks for getting back with me. That’s great news! Please update his progress if you decide to do that.
How long was it before he started seeing results? Was it within a few days, weeks, months? Trying to determine if it was over a period of time or all at once. Thanks! 😊
KitchenKop says
Well he was still on the meds at the time, so he stayed on both for a bit and was monitoring his BP closely, then after a few weeks (I think? It’s been a while) we skipped every other day at first, then I think he just stopped and it’s been fine since. I recommend doing it with your doctor’s help though, don’t go just by what I’ve written here!
Kelly
Sarah says
Does your husband take his blood pressure first to see what it is and then take the herbal heart health supplement? For example, one of his bp readings was 122/62. After that reading did he go ahead and take one of the herbal heart health supplement with his bp reading that low or did he skip it?
KitchenKop says
Hi Sarah,
He just takes one a day no matter what, but not taking it on a “low” day would probably be okay (I’m not a doctor, I’m just thinking “out loud”), as long as he kept monitoring his BP well.
I’ve been talking to him about trying to slowly wean off the supplement now to see if he still even needs it!
Kelly
Mary says
Hi Kelly – an update on the Carditone would be so helpful as there isn’t as much info on it as other supplements, and your personal experience is trustworthy. Is your husband still taking it after all this time; at what dosage; and no long term effects? Have you ever taken it for health benefits?
Thank you so much for sharing all your wisdom!
KitchenKop says
Hi Mary, yes he’s still taking it, no long-term effects. No, I’ve never taken it myself. He takes one a day and his blood pressure has been great for years. Hope that helps!
Kelly
Dana Shannon says
We were getting beet root powder at our local GNC stores and was working so well. THEN they stopped selling it and finally we can buy it through your link. THANKS SO MUCH~
KitchenKop says
Great, thanks Dana!! 🙂
Christina Gomez Waguespack says
Kelly, I’m surprised that you don’t mention Magnesium which is key for heart health. Yes it’s in dark chocolate, but it can be taken other ways. After muscle testing we found that Magnesium called ReMag is the best because it tests strong and there is no side effects like loose bowels. Next is Seeking Health’s Magnesium. Natural Calm is a powder you can mix into a drink and it’s easy to find at Vitamin Shoppe or other health food store.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
@Christina — that actually is mentioned in the post. 🙂
Christina Gomez Waguespack says
Kelly the Kitchen Kop I saw it as part of a reader story, but not in the main post when I do a CTRL F search on the word Magnesium. Is that what you mean? I also saw it in the linked post.
I wish more people knew that “old school” and traditional doctors would recommend Magnesium before drugs for heart issues years ago. It helps with blood pressure, heart attacks and cardiac arrest (these last two are different) and so much more. What Drs. like to label as genetic, is many times dietary changes over time passed down from one generation to the next.
Carolyn Mitchell Romero says
Thank you! <3
Yvonne Kelley Gipson says
That is my goal, it gives me hope to know your husband got off the meds & is probably healthier now…thanks for sharing!
Amanda Caton says
Thank you! My hubs has high blood pressure- we’ve avoided medication and would love to lower that through diet. This is so helpful!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
I’m so glad Amanda!
Laura Cullen says
Hmm, I wonder if beet kvass would work the same as beetroot? Guess I will have to try it out. LOL. Good information again, Kelly!! I worked as a medic and a lot of people over 35 have so many prescriptions. Ugh! I’m working hard to avoid that slippery slope.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Lauren you are wise!!
Ann Garcia says
Great looking couple…..
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
LOL, thanks Ann Garcia!
MaryEllen Seehafer says
Hi. I saw where you sggested taking sime very dark chocolate, which we do. Problem is I just recently came across an article about lead and cadmium in chocolate. They couldn’t test every bar out there but the one we were using (Green & Black 85%) contains both lead and cadmium. Now I have to find a new one. They only tested one Lindt and it, too was contaminated. https://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/lead-cadmium-found-in-chocolate.html?t=HHL
Belinda Tousson says
red hibiscus tea and milk thistle. 🙂
Bren Sherrer says
my drs electric equipment was not reading my blood pressure accurately, she insisted I had high blood pressure, and I kept telling her I did not – and I was correct. They last did it manually, the old fashioned way – and I DO NOT HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Wow! Good thing you followed your gut or you could have been put on blood pressure meds!
Meta Honegr says
Is he still on the carditone and any issues thus far?
KitchenKop says
Yep, he still takes all 3 (under #3 above in the post) and is doing great, blood pressures are always perfect. He checks a couple times a week now.
Kelly
KitchenKop says
Thanks Susie, I’ll make note of this in the post.
Kelly
Susie G. says
The heart health supplement you mention has a powerful herbal ingredient which is the source of the drug Reserpine. While it is a natural treatment, it is a powerful one that can cause serious side effects such as anxiety, a heart rate that is dangerously low, and others. For more info see the wikipedia entry for reserpine. I wish you well. Please be careful.
Joanne M Stephenson says
Interesting supplement, Kelly…it looks ayurvedic. Very cool.
Jill-David Boman says
It worked wonders for my husband, Joanne. Seriously, after years and years of high blood pressure it normalized it really quickly. He now takes hardly any of it to maintain.
Lee Alford says
Thanks….. great information.
Sherri says
Kyolic makes a formula specifically for blood pressure health, though it is much more expensive. Could you tell us why you picked the one you did?
KitchenKop says
I chose this one because A. Didn’t know about the other one, lol. 🙂 And B. Because this is what someone else told me they used, and it worked! 🙂
Kelly
Nancy Jacques Barratt says
A local gal has an issue with low blood pressure. Have you heard anything about that issue?
KitchenKop says
Hi Nancy, I’ve heard of people having that, but haven’t researched it. If you learn anything you want to come back and share here, feel free! 🙂
Kelly
MaryEllen Seehafer says
Having Adrenal Fatigue myself I do lots of research about it. One if the symptoms is very low blood pressure and low body temperature. Dr. Lam and Dr. Axe are two people to follow that do good research.
Sarah says
Yeah!!