Hypertension is the condition of sustained elevated blood pressure (BP) which is major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke (CVA). Because hypertension is usually asymptomatic, the number of individuals unaware of having increased BP is significant, but the number diagnosed and not treated is also high. Meanwhile up to 50% of persons treated medically for hypertension do not have their BP controlled adequately. The problem of hypertension is therefore very considerable - an important area of focus for integrated healthcare professionals.

How high is 'elevated'?

The criteria for defining hypertension are arbitrary since there is a 'continuous distribution' of blood pressures within a population - rather like height and weight. Consequently hypertension is any BP which is 'high enough' to be associated with a significantly increased risk of developing certain clinical conditions - and at which the possibility of benefiting from treatment is relatively clear-cut.

The American Heart Association currently defines hypertension as a systolic' BP at rest of >140mmHg (systolic BP is the 'upper' BP level for an individual - when the heart is contracting/pumping), and/or a 'diastolic' BP of >90mmHg (diastolic BP is the 'lower' BP level - when the heart is refilling/relaxing). In the UK, generally the aim is to reduce BP to <140/85mmHg, but to <130/80mmHg in patients with diabetes mellitus who are at greater risk of 'end-organ' disease (please see next article).

Malignant hypertension

'Malignant hypertension' refers to a severe elevation in BP (e.g. >200mmHg systolic, >130mmHg diastolic), and unlike lesser degrees of high BP, is usually associated with symptoms - such as headaches and visual disturbances- Untreated there is 90% morraliry within a year - so malignant hypertension requires urgent specialist medical attention.

Hypertension as a risk for CHD and Stroke

Coronary heart disease (CHD) largely occurs because of 'atherosclerosis' - or narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart muscle pump with blood (and therefore oxygen). 'Thrombosis' - the formation of clots - in CHD is associated with this atherosclerosis and further adds to the occlusion of these viral arteries.

The major modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis and thrombosis are smoking, elevated plasma cholesterol and hypertension (and effective management of diabetes where this exists). Associated with these are obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and stress.

The main symptom of CHD, where a 'warning' exists, is angina - a sharp pain in the chest arising especially on exertion/exercise when the heart's requirement for oxygen increases dramatically. The problem is that the need for oxygen exceeds the supply because of the narrowed arteries. Hence the most major possible consequence of atherosclerosis in respect of the heart is myocardial infarctions -or heart attack" - where there is death of the heart muscle tissue. This irreversible damage may have very significant possible complications, including death.

The situation for stroke is similar except that, where there is atherosclerosis and/or thrombus formation, the arteries which get 'blocked' are those which supply areas of the brain rather than the heart. Some strokes occur because of haemorrhage from blood vessels in the brain - which is also associated with longstanding or severe hypertension. Stroke is a common and major disease which can he associated with very significant disability and distress.

The medical perspective on cause and treatment

From a clinical perspective there are two types of hypertension:

• 'Essential' or 'primary' hypertension (95% of cases) - where the cause is said to he 'unknown' (please see below).
• Secondary hypertension (-5%) - where the BP has risen on account of disease (usually renal, sometimes endocrine), pregnancy or medication (e.g. steroids or 'the Pill'). In these cases the disease must be treated in order to control the BP.

There are now numerous possible forms of pharmaceutical treatment for primary hypertension which include 'thiazides' (e.g. bendrofluazide), 'B-blockers' (e.g. arenolol, very effective but associated with lethargy and fatigue and contra-indicated in certain diseases), 'ACE-inhibitors' (with clear advantages for diabetics and people with CHD - e.g. lisinopril) - and so on.

As well as treating the hypertension itself, treatment of any other modifiable factors relating to the possible development of clinical consequences is key. In the UK treatment emphasis is placed increasingly on this 'multifactorial! approach' - meaning that the doctor, to a degree, applies wise discemment as regards the type and extent of treatment, taking a perspective of the whole spectrum of factors which contribute to the development of CHD and stroke.

UK doctors therefore take into consideration the degree of hypertension, plasma lipids, and glucose levels and so on - before and when prescribing anti-hypertensive medication. Importantly, lifestyle factors are now considered from the outset and relevant modification encouraged: these include regular exercise, dietary changes - such as reducing salt and fat intake - reducing weight molecules present in the air. Water exposed to singlet energy also has a biologically regulating effect:

• In both horticulture and agriculture, plants display healthier growth and higher yields.
• In aquariums longer life spans have been observed in fish.
• Pets and "working" animals react with more robust health and quicker regeneration after illness when given Airnergy+ "activated" water. How singlet oxygen occurs, using the example of an oxygen atom.

Oxygen atom in triplet oxygen state

In the Airnergy+ device energy has an effect on the oxygen content of respiratory air. This result in a spin flip of an election and its jump to the never electron path: Excited energy hits the electron. This causes a rotational flip of the electron spin.

Singlet oxygen atom

This is the energised singler state of oxygen.

How "singlet energy" occurs

This state exists for only fractious of a millisecond. The electron returns to its original position. The energy which has been released is absorbed by the water molecules present in the air and reach the body through respiration.
The energy which has been released as a result of the return of the oxygen atom to its original state is absorbed by water molecules.

Effects of Airnergy+

The basic action of Airnergy+ therapy consists in the regeneration of oxygen utilisation, a process which is inadequate in diseased cells. Airnergy+ promotes the intracellular production of antioxidative enzymes and reduces thereby the excessive formation of free radicals. This principle of improved intracellular oxygen utilisation means Airnergy+ therapy can be used in the treatment of just about any disorder. This may appear a far-reaching claim at first but is very much based on the importance of oxygen utilisation in biological processes, including carcinogenesis. Airnergy+ therapy does not replace proven therapies but complements them in an excellent manner. It can be combined with all biologically important therapies and often reduces unwanted side effects without lessening the desired effect.

We are clearly faced with an unsatisfactory diffusion theory of oxygen transport. Oxygen therapies too often fail to live up to expectations according to such simplified theories. The transport of oxygen from air to the mitochondria is subject to active permeation in addition to conventional diffusion theory. This permeation in stimulated through Airnergy+ therapy. Airnergy+ uses oxygen activation techniques copied from nature. Its success results from the regulatory effect it has on two of the problems which play a crucial role in the origin and subsequent development of disease reduced oxygen utilisation and increased formation of free radicals. Airnergy+ creates the conditions which allow the body to regulate and regenerate itself.

Author: JORG KLEMM is a naturopath, founder of Natural Energy Solutions AG in Germany and developer of Airnergy+ therapy. For 14 years he has been researching into singlet oxygen energy and its effects on plants, animals and humans. There are a range of Airnergy+ devices available for professional and home use.

Reproduced with the kind permission of Today's Therapist