Blood Pressure Cure: 8 Weeks to Lower Blood Pressure without Prescription Drugs by Robert E. Kowalski

From the Publisher

"The book is exceptional in its clarity and depth. I would recommend it to anyone with a tendency to hypertension."
—Charles Keenan Jr., M.D., Associate Professor of Family Practice, UCLA

"Hypertension is an important member of the quartet of risk factors for cardiovascular disease—the other three are elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, and cigarette smoking. Robert Kowalski endeavors to bring all these risk factors under control without resorting to medications. This book presents simple answers to the questions that arise when people take charge of their own health in partnership with their physician."
—Calvin Ezrin, M.D., author of Your Fat Can Make You Thin

"The Blood Pressure Cure offers a comprehensive, nutritionally sound, and easily accessible guide to lowering one's blood pressure safely and effectively."
—Kristen Caron, M.A., M.F.T., author of The Everyday Meal Planner for Type 2 Diabetes

"Robert Kowalski is now doing for blood pressure what he did for cholesterol in his previous books—he is revolutionizing the way we think about the non-pharmaceutical treatment of this important risk factor for heart disease. This well-written, concise book is a must-read for every person suffering from or treating high blood pressure."
—Paul Dougherty, M.D., Professor of Medicine, UCLA

Robert Kowalski, the bestselling author of The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure, presents a clinically proven program that draws on the very latest research on high blood pressure causes, development, and treatment. With the most up-to-date information on herbs, supplements, diet, physical activity, and more, this commonsense,easy-to-follow program can help you lower your blood pressure so that you can decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke—and increase your chances of living a long and healthy life.

Publishers Weekly

In 1978, at age 35, medical journalist Kowalski (The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure) suffered a heart attack and later underwent two coronary bypass surgeries. Here, he relates how he lost weight, quit smoking, managed stress, lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels and avoided medications and their side effects. Kowalski recommends ways to monitor blood pressure, combat the metabolic syndrome that leads to heart disease and diabetes (abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and triglycerides, insulin resistance, inflammation, etc.) and raise levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. He provides basic diet and exercise guidelines, details the components of proper electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium) and describes potent natural remedies, including arginine, pycnogenol and grapeseed extract. There are sections on children's health and risks and a review of current prescription drugs for those who must take them. Kowalski's use of clichés and case studies bogs down the text somewhat. Still, readers facing poor prognoses will gain a hopeful perspective on the future from the author's experiences. (May)

Janet M. Schneider - Library Journal

In this guide to lowering blood pressure, journalist Kowalski (The 8 Week Cholesterol Cure) calls hypertension one of the three major risk factors for heart disease. While admitting heredity and race play a role, Kowalski asserts that these are only warnings that can be negated by good health habits. He explains the new definitions and classification of blood pressure levels, including prehypertension, and provides rationale for the updated guidelines. Risk factors for special populations of children, African Americans, women, older people, and diabetics receive brief attention. Basic information on weight reduction, physical activity, stress reduction, alcohol use, and diet as they affect hypertension is given. Some alternative medicine therapies are mentioned. Prescription drugs are briefly covered; some recipes are included. Kowalski touts five secret weapons for a blood pressure cure: arginine, grape seed extract, tomato extract, Pycnogenol, and cocoa. He cites small clinical studies to back his assertions; unfortunately, larger studies show unclear results. Recommendations for lifestyle changes are vague. Aggie Casey and Herbert Benson's Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressureis a better choice. For large collections only.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents