Cause and treatment for Primary Hypertension
Hypertension also known as high blood pressure, a very common health issue existed amount us. According to Wikipedia, 90-95% of cases are due to nonspecific lifestyle and genetic factors. In other words, it means “Unidentified causes”. Without a specific cause, it is indeed harder to treat the underlying cause of high blood pressure. According to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, (TCM) the cause of high blood pressure sometimes is much more obvious.
If we look at our cardiovascular system as a pressurized drinking water system, we might have more clues in knowing why blood pressure is raised in our system. The system needs to ensure that all organs and cells have an adequate supply of blood, which carries oxygen and all essential nutrients for the vitality of all cells and system functioning. If any part of our system deems to have a lower supply of blood, it will ask our pumping station, the heart, to increase the output and pressure. Knowing that in many cases， an increase in blood pressure is a physiological phenomenon rather than a pathological symptom, deliberately lower the pressure without treating the underlying causes may be harmful to our body in long run as some parts of our body may be lacking blood supply.
What can cause our body to signal for an increase in blood pressure? There are a couple of common situations listed according to the theory of TCM. The first type is called blood and CHI stagnation. If the free flow of our CHI and Blood is obstructed, the supply of the blood throughout our body is affected as well. The system may increase the blood pressure to ensure an adequate supply of blood in our blood. The treatment is to remove the obstruction of blood and Chi flow. The second type is called the accumulation of damp-heat in the body. We all know heat creates expansion, so excessive heat in the system can cause an increase in high blood pressure. The treatment is to remove excessive heat energy. The third type is called affection by external pathogenic factors. Your blood pressure may start to jump up after the flu and cold. It is because the energy/Chi that causes your flu and cold still resides in your system. It perturbates your system stability and causes hypertension.
The last cause is commonly seen in elders. It is a result of Chi/energy deficiency. The physical flow of blood is measurable but the existence of Chi is not yet fully understandable and quantifiable. According to the theory of TCM, the combination of the flow of Chi and the physical pumping of the heart is fundamental to cardiovascular circulation. The deficiency in Chi can also cause the need to increase physical pumping pressure to sustain system needs. Therefore, high blood pressure is more commonly seen in elders who may suffer from Chi deficiency. Change in emotion particularly anger can also trigger an increase in blood pressure.
If you suffer from unknown causes of Primary hypertension, TCM can help you.