Customer Reviews

Healing Hypertension: A Revolutionary New Approach

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I picked up Healing Hypertension, I was expecting yet another book on the mind/body connection of hypertension. To my pleasant surprise I found that the book offered fresh new ideas regarding both medical and psychological aspects of the cause and treatment of hypertension.

Dr. Mann's viewpoint differs in many ways from traditional mind/body views. He emphasizes that hypertension is linked to emotions in some people, while it has nothing to do with emotions in others. He discusses how hypertension is linked more to the emotions we have hidden from ourselves than to the emotions we feel, which affect us only temporarily. People who never feel distressed about anything are more likely to develop hypertension than people who do. Traumatic events from the past can affect our blood pressure even decades later. Understanding this, and getting in touch with hidden emotions can then lower blood pressure. Dr. Mann makes his points using many very interesting and quite persuasive case histories and also discussion of many studies. I was very surprised at the considerable evidence that argues against the traditional mind/body concept.

Dr. Mann also discusses how to pick the right blood pressure drug, depending on whether the hypertension is linked to emotions or not. Having felt like my doctor has been picking drugs without any rhyme or reason, and having found little information anywhere on how to pick the right drug, I found the chapter on drug treatment very important.

Healing Hypertension is a fascinating book. It conveys a great deal of new information and yet reads more like a novel than a medical book. I highly recommend it to anyone living with the mystery of hypertension.

I have had a problem with white coat hypertension for a long time. I read this book and following his advice regarding the problem of not dealing with hidden emotions has resolved my problem that I thought I could never overcome. I strongly recommend this book especially if you feel that you really don't have hypertension and are just very nervous when your blood pressure is taken.

This is one of the best books I've ever read on hypertension. Dr. Mann's style is gentle and knowing, and he makes the concepts easy to understand. And whether your high blood pressure is linked to your repressing your emotions or not, the latter part of the book offers an excellent overview of treatment options.

(Note: for me, five stars is reserved for something truly mind-blowing -- I haven't given one yet. Four stars for me is a really, really good rating.)

This book has a great story to tell about how many instances of high blood pressure are attributable to repressed emotions. The author is a careful scientist, and clearly identifies how his conclusions arise from information that is in some sense anecdotal. He also is careful to note that only some hypertension can be so attributed, and how drugs are still a very important tool in regulating this problem. I was pleased to read a down-to-earth book on hypertension that did not pretend to have all the answers.

Having said all that, it turns out that the main hypothesis presented in the book did not apply to me, so the book did not provide a non-drug solution for me. Though that's not the fault of the book. The book did have an excellent section on the drugs that are used, what they do and how they work (to the extent we know), and what considerations are used in selected drugs. I use one of them now (lisinopril), which easily and completely controls my hypertension with a relatively low dose and no apparent side effects.

The writing at times can be redundant and repetitive, but the good parts are the actual case histories that are described. I recommend this book for anyone who would like to get some real information about hypertension without someone trying to sell you something.

Hypertension is inferred from a blood pressure level of 140/90
or higher. Once diagnosed, it is necessary for a physician or
medical provider to probe hidden emotions which may underlie the
chronic nature of hypertension. Biofeedback and relaxation techniques may reduce hypertension to within manageable ranges.
With the reduction of hypertension will come a lower blood pressure. Heart conductance disturbances may be managed by drinking less coffee and alcohol. IBS in women can come from sex abuse at
some stage. Brain hypertension may come from the sympathetic nervous system, noradrenalin receptors or artery constriction.
This book is not a cure-all; however, the author provides
rational reasons and alternatives to manage hypertension constructively.

Great information about hypertension cause and effects and treatment available. Well written. The case studies were facinating.