Lowering Blood Pressure: A Call for Change
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a growing issue that affects nearly half of the adult population in the United States—approximately 119.9 million people (CDC, 2025). Chances are, you personally know someone dealing with this condition. What’s even more alarming is that high blood pressure is responsible for nearly 685,875 deaths in 2022 alone (CDC, 2025). Yet, only 1 in 4 people (around 29.975 million) manage to control their blood pressure effectively. This leaves a staggering 89.925 million individuals whose hypertension remains unmanaged, putting them at a significantly higher risk for early mortality.
Understanding Hypertension: The Root Cause
Hypertension often begins with metabolic dysfunction—a series of chronic inflammatory events triggered by 8 subcellular pathologies. These include:
1. Mitochondrial dysfunction
2. Insulin receptor dysfunction
3. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress
4. Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver)
5. Chronic inflammatory signaling
6. Dysregulated autophagy (the process by which the body eliminates damaged cells)
7. Altered adipokine secretion (linked to obesity)
8. Damage to blood vessel linings, contributing to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis)
These eight pathological events drive the growing prevalence of chronic, inflammation-related diseases like obesity, type II diabetes, high cholesterol, heart attacks, strokes, and even cancer (Eight subcellular pathologies driving chronic metabolic diseases, 2023). These interconnected issues need to be addressed for better long-term health.
The Current Treatment Landscape
Current treatments for hypertension include stress management, lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and medications. However, the latter often comes with negative side effects and long-term dependency concerns. Despite these treatments, only 1 in 4 people succeed in lowering their blood pressure, suggesting that current approaches are far from ideal. The target for optimal blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg.
Medication Options for Hypertension: A Closer Look
While medications can provide relief, they’re not without risks. Some common drugs include:
- Diuretics (Water Pills): These medications reduce blood volume by flushing out sodium and water. However, long-term use can deplete electrolytes, which harms heart function and could exacerbate cardiovascular disease (Ahmed et al., 2006).
- ACE Inhibitors (e.g., Lisinopril, Benazepril): These block the production of angiotensin II, which normally narrows blood vessels. ACE inhibitors help relax blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs): These also relax blood vessels but by blocking the action of angiotensin II.
- Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem): These medications help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and reducing heart rate.
Other treatments include alpha-blockers, aldosterone antagonists, renin inhibitors, and more.
The long-term issue with these medications is the potential for side effects, such as electrolyte imbalances, kidney damage, strokes, and gastrointestinal issues (increased intestinal permeability) (Mortality and morbidity among individuals with hypertension receiving a diuretic, 2023). While medications have their place, I believe that dietary and lifestyle changes should be prioritized, and medications should be seen as a short-term solution.
Alternative Approaches to Lower Blood Pressure
Reducing blood pressure doesn’t have to solely rely on pharmaceuticals. Stress is a major contributor to hypertension, so managing it is crucial. Regular exercise can help reset hormone levels, reducing stress and boosting overall well-being. Additionally, prayer/meditation can shift the body’s response from a fight-or-flight state to a more relaxed, restorative state.
Cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC, can also be effective in lowering blood pressure by helping to relax blood vessels and reduce cortisol (the stress hormone). They also promote a shift from the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest), which is beneficial in lowering blood pressure.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Key to Success
Making dietary adjustments is one of the most powerful ways to tackle high blood pressure. The elimination of ultra-processed foods and the return to whole, single-ingredient foods is a crucial step. Ultra-processed foods are often loaded with preservatives that can harm the gut microbiome, triggering inflammation and metabolic dysfunction (Hrncirova, Machova, Trckova, Krejsek, Hrncir, 2019).
Of course, exercise remains a cornerstone of health. It gets the blood flowing, boosts circulation, and promotes better heart health.
Additional Natural Tools
Two lesser-known but effective tools are beetroot juice and hibiscus tea.
- Beetroot Juice: Rich in dietary nitrates, beetroot juice helps relax and dilate blood vessels, significantly lowering blood pressure (Kapil, Khambata, Robertson, Caulfield, Ahluwalia, 2015). Nitric oxide deficiency has been linked to hypertension, making this a natural and effective remedy.
- Hibiscus Tea: This herbal tea has been shown to reduce blood pressure levels to a degree comparable to certain medications, with additional health benefits (Ellis et al., 2022).
Conclusion: Time for Change
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in both the U.S. and globally. In the U.S., we consume 40-45% of the world’s pharmaceutical drugs, yet that has not solved the underlying issues. Metabolic dysfunction, not just the symptoms, is the root cause. It's time for alternatives—through education, lifestyle changes, and informed decision-making. As I've always said, no one cares more about your health than YOU do. Take charge of your well-being and advocate for your health.
Thank you for reading. I hope this information inspires you to make meaningful changes. If you found this helpful, please share it with others!
Bee Well,
Brandon Farless
*This information is for educational purposes only. I am simply sharing information pertaining to these studies. No medical advice or claims are being made on my behalf.
References
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2. Baranowska-Kuczko, M., Kozłowska, H., Kloza, M., Sadowska, O., Kozłowski, M., Kusaczuk, M., Kasacka, I., & Malinowska, B. (2020). Vasodilatory effects of cannabidiol in human pulmonary and rat small mesenteric arteries: modification by hypertension and the potential pharmacological opportunities. Journal of hypertension, 38(5), 896–911. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000002333
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). High blood pressure facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
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5. Ellis, L. R., Zulfiqar, S., Holmes, M., Marshall, L., Dye, L., & Boesch, C. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on blood pressure and cardiometabolic markers. Nutrition reviews, 80(6), 1723–1737. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab104
6. Hrncirova, L., Machova, V., Trckova, E., Krejsek, J., & Hrncir, T. (2019). Food Preservatives Induce ProteobacteriaDysbiosis in Human-Microbiota Associated Nod2-Deficient Mice. Microorganisms, 7(10), 383. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms7100383
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