Subjects were given holistic therapy specifically to treat hypertension while the medications were gradually tapered off and blood pressure was restored to normal.

1)   CARDIO EXERCISE- The test subjects were made to walk in order to improve their cardio fitness. They were made to walk 60 minutes a day at moderate pace.

 Walking served to increase the heart rate and blood pressure. After the walk was over, the heart rate and blood pressure would return to normal (resting heart rate and blood pressure). Gradually, as the cardio fitness improved the resting heart rate and blood pressure dropped as the efficiency of the heart increased.

Walking also helped in losing weight and losing sodium causing diuresis which helped in controlling blood pressure.

Cooper cardiac rehab: Used by Henry Cooper to rehabilitate patients recovering from heart attacks.

Week 1-2   1 min. (Jog)-4 min. (brisk walk) ×5

Week 3-4    2 min. (Jog)-3 min. (brisk walk)×5

Week 5-6    3 min. (Jog)-2 min. (brisk walk)×5

Week 7-8      4 min. (Jog)-1 min. (brisk walk×5

Week 9-10     25 mins. Non stop jog  

When patient can talk comfortably in full sentences during exercise, he can progress to the next step.

2) SODIUM RESTRICTED DIET- The test subjects were made to reduce their sodium intake. This was achieved by cutting down sodium in diet and by losing salt through exercise. Sodium is present in salt as well as in many processed foods such as cheese, bread, pickles, etc.

Sodium is responsible for retaining water in the body. Water in turn contributes to increased blood volume which increases the blood pressure.

3) POTASSIUM RICH DIET- The test subjects were given a diet rich in potassium in the form of fruits (juicy fruits such as pineapple, orange, etc.). As insufficient levels of potassium in the body can lead to arrhythmias causing fluctuating blood pressure, the subjects were able to effectively stabilise their blood pressure by taking adequate potassium in the diet.

4)   CALCIUM RICH DIET- The test subjects were given a diet rich in calcium. They were given calcium primarily in the form of milk. They were given a minimum of two glasses of milk a day.

Calcium helped in improving the muscular tone of blood vessels and in preventing the blood vessels from going into spasm due to lack of adequate calcium in the body. Peripheral arteriolar tone is dependent on Calcium.

5)   WEIGHT LOSS- The test subjects were made to lose weight. This was achieved through a combination of exercise and balanced diet. Walking, weight training were some of the exercises used to effectively lose weight and improve fitness.

Losing weight helped the subjects in reducing the load on the heart as excess weight implies that the heart has to work more to supply more blood in order to meet the demands of increased work.

6)   MEDITATION- The test subjects were made to meditate everyday. This was done in various ways. Contemplation was made part of daily routine. They were made to purge out pent up frustrations by talking to someone, who may be a friend or relative. Frustrations build up over a period of time and tend to accumulate as problems and complexes remain unresolved and are pushed to the back of the mind. This gives rise to dissatisfaction and stress which in turn leads to rise in blood pressure. The subjects could effectively reduce stress through meditation by talking, indulging in peaceful and creative hobbies like listening to music, painting, etc.

7)   SLEEP- The test subjects were given adequate sleep of around 7 hours a day. This helped in adequate relaxation and reduction in blood pressure as during sleep, the heart rate and blood pressure come down in order to rest the heart. Adequate and deep sleep helped in reducing stress as the test subjects would be completely rejuvenated by the sleep and be relaxed and active throughout the day. Greater oxygenation during deep sleep also ensured adequate supply of oxygen to the heart thereby further reducing the load on the heart.

8)   DIURNAL HORMONAL REGULATION AND MELATONIN- The test subjects were made to strictly follow a disciplined diurnal hormonal rhythm by making sure that they slept and woke up at the same time. Also they were not allowed to consume food late at night or before going to sleep. This ensured that during sleep, blood supply to the heart  was adequate and not diverted to the intestines. Regulating the timing of  sleeping and waking up ensured that the levels of  hormones in the body was stabilised. Also the test subjects were made to expose their eyes to sunlight for at least 40 minutes everyday in the morning. This was automatically achieved during their walk in the morning. This ensured the release of melatonin in the body by the pituitary gland. They were also made to avoid computers, television, etc. as melatonin  synthesis is inhibited by free radicals released in electro magnetic field of such devices. Their diet included green leafy vegetables, and carrots which are rich in beta carotene which stimulates the synthesis of melatonin.

9)   ALKALINE THERAPY- The test subjects were given a diet which was alkaline in nature. This was achieved by including dudhi juice in their diet. Alternatively, any raw vegetable juice may be given in place of dudhi juice. The subjects were given two glasses of dudhi juice a day. This helped in restoring their blood Ph. As blood is essentially alkaline in Ph it is important to maintain the Ph for all normal functioning of body including regulation of blood pressure.

10)NO NON VEG- The test subjects were made to cut out all non vegetarian food from their diet. This also helped in regulating their blood Ph as non vegetarian food is acidic in nature. Cutting non vegetarian food also helped in reducing stress caused by the stress hormones released by the dying animal. Reducing stress, as we have already discussed is an essential part of anti hypertensive therapy.

11)BALANCED DIET- The test subjects were given a balanced diet by including fibre and vitamins in their diet. Adequate fibre ensured that they did not overeat as fibre contributes to a feeling of fullness after a meal. This helped in regulating their body weight. They were given 1 tablet of Celin (vitamin C) and 1 capsule of Becosul (vitamin B) a day.

12)ADDICTIONS- The test subjects were made to completely avoid smoking and alcohol. Smoking thickens the walls of arteries and causes them to become less elastic causing rise in blood pressure. It also causes atheromatous depositions in coronary arteries reducing the width of the lumen again causing rise in blood pressure. By not smoking, the subjects were able to prevent these factors from affecting their blood pressure. Alcohol also causes hypertension, thus the subjects were made to avoid alcohol.