Human intelligence has yet to devise a more reliable, efficient machine than the human heart. Even when the body is at rest, this incredible organ pumps more than 1,800 gallons of blood a day.

Blood is circulated by the heart's pumping action through blood vessels:  an estimated 60,000-plus miles of arteries, veins and capillaries. These vascular tubes of varying diameter comprise a circular system that transports blood away from the heart to the tissues and back again.

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood as it presses and attempts to stretch the walls of blood vessels, particularly the arteries.  Blood pressure's numeric reading is determined primarily by three factors: the rate of the heartbeat, the strength of the heartbeat and the amount of blood that passes through the vessels. Resistance to the blood by the arteries is the result of the chemical properties of blood itself and the size of the vessels carrying the blood.

STRESS

If stress, either internal or external, causes an increase in heartbeat, the following sequence of events occurs. The heart increases its beats per minute, pushing more blood through the ventricle into the arteries at a faster rate per minute, which increases pressure on the arterial walls.  This higher pressure is detected by pressure-sensitive nerve cells in the arteries, which send messages in the form of nerve impulses to the brain.

The brain responds to the message by telling the heart to slow down.  This normally decreases the blood pressure and defuses the situation.  The nervous system continually monitors blood pressure in this manner, in an effort to maintain a normal flow of blood.  This is called a feedback system.

FEEDBACK SYSTEM

A feedback system is any circular situation, or loop, through which information about and the status of an operation are continually reported to a central control area. The manner in which the nervous system and the brain interact is a good example of a feedback system. 

In regulating blood pressure, the input (stimulus) is the information reported by the pressure-sensitive nerve cells (an increase in blood pressure), and the output (response) is the interaction between the brain and the heart, as the heart decreases its beats per minute and returns the blood pressure to normal. 

The monitoring of blood pressure by the pressure-sensitive nerve cells is continual, occurring even after the return to homeostasis begins and blood pressure normalizes. The cells continue to send the monitoring impulses to the brain, and if the pressure is still too high, the brain continues to send impulses to the heart to slow down its heartbeat.

The blood vessels, the nerve cells and the brain's neurotransmitters all must function together to maintain the homeostasis, or natural balance, of the blood pressure.

L-taurine. An amino acid known to affect certain biological functions, including cardiac contractility.

Magnesium. Essential for normal metabolism of potassium and calcium. 

Calcium. A mineral important for neuromuscular excitability and the transmission of nerve impulses.

Potassium. A mineral vital in the transmission of nerve impulses, an important action in the operation of the blood pressure feedback system. Also balances sodium in the body.

Vitamin D. Helps the body utilize calcium efficiently.

Vitamin B-6. Necessary for the proper functioning of pressure-sensitive nerve cells and cardiac muscles.

● Add to your diet dried fruits, cherries, bananas, broccoli, green peppers, brown rice, buckwheat, seafood, potatoes, avocados, and leafy greens.

● Avoid salty foods, sugars, heavy pastries.

● Reduce sugars, saturated fats & salt.

● Drink apple juice at dinner.

● Daily 30 minute walk.

● Apply a dry skin brush to entire body to stimulate circulation.

● Practice hot & cold hydrotherapy for better circulation.

● Maintain a healthy body weight.

● Avoid tobacco products.