Dr. Houston Answers Your Top Heart Health Questions – Part 4

All right, this is the final series of questions and answers from my interview with Dr. Mark Houston in February 2010.

Lisa Nelson RD: Does grape seed really help lower blood pressure?

Dr. Houston: Yes, systolic blood pressure is reduced about 8 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure 5 mm Hg. It is in the formulas mentioned above.

Lisa Nelson RD: What causes of an enlarged heart and are there ways to reverse an enlarged heart?

Dr. Houston: Hypertension and coronary heart disease are the most common causes. You must control the blood pressure and improve circulation of the heart. Valve problems such as the aortic and mitral valves can also cause heart enlargement.

Lisa Nelson RD: Dr. Houston, I’d like to clarify this issue. Is it possible for an enlarge heart to be corrected/reversed? Or once enlarged always enlarged?

Dr. Houston: If the underlying reason for the enlargement is corrected it may be possible over time for the heart to be reduced in size. In some cases it may return to normal, but in most it will be decreased in size but not necessarily back to completely normal.

Lisa Nelson RD: What happens to blood pressure during a heart attack? Skyrocket? Plummet?

Dr. Houston: It usually falls as the heart is damaged and does not pump well. This is called cardiogenic shock.

Lisa Nelson RD: Can things like metal detectors impact the function of mechanical heart valves?

Dr. Houston: NO

Lisa Nelson RD: What are your thoughts on the use of statin drugs in children?

Dr. Houston: I would not use them in children. We do not have enough data to support this recommendation in my opinion. They need lifestyle changes. The only exception would be one of the severe genetic forms where drugs may be the only option, but this is rare.

Part 1 – Top Heart Health Questions Answered By Dr. Houston
Part 2- Top Heart Health Questions Answered By Dr. Houston
Part 3 – Top Heart Health Questions Answered By Dr. Houston

Thank you to Dr. Houston for taking the time to answer all these questions! To learn more about Dr. Mark Houston go to The Hypertension Institute.

Be sure to sign-up for the e-course 7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure today.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://www.lowerbloodpressurewithlisa.com