Can I use ginseng if I have high blood pressure?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Cao Thanh Tam - Cardiologist - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

A lot of research evidence shows the role of ginseng in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and supporting blood pressure control. However, there are still many different opinions about the use of ginseng for people with high blood pressure and cause concern for patients.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a medical condition that occurs when the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries is increased. This is a dangerous medical condition and is considered a "silent killer" when the entire progression of the disease can occur silently without any symptoms until the vessel wall is damaged. Prolonged high pressure damage leads to some dangerous complications such as heart attack or stroke.
Regular blood pressure measurement is an effective measure to control and prevent hypertension. If blood pressure is abnormally high for many days, patients need to go to medical facilities to check and detect hypertension to have appropriate treatment to prevent dangerous complications that may occur. Some signs of high blood pressure include:
Frequent headaches, chest pain or dizziness Feeling short of breath even when not active Vision impairment Nosebleeds In addition, if in If you have a family member with high blood pressure, you should have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Ginseng has long been considered by medicine as a valuable medicine capable of supporting the treatment of many diseases. Studies on the effects of ginseng have been conducted for a long time and show that they have a number of effects as follows:
Has a strong antioxidant capacity: Effective in treating inflammation, improving health , slows down the aging process. Improve concentration, enhance brain circulation. Support the treatment of erectile dysfunction, enhance physiological ability for men Improve the body's resistance, works very well for those who are thin, or sick. Many studies also prove that ginseng also has the effect of preventing the abnormal multiplication of cells, thereby effective in cancer prevention. Using a little ginseng every morning can help you full of energy to head to an effective working day. It is a very good treatment for patients with diabetes through the mechanism of stimulating pancreatic cells. Increases insulin production which contributes to blood sugar balance. Despite its many uses, ginseng is generally not recommended for people with high blood pressure. This is because some side effects of ginseng can worsen the symptoms of high blood pressure and even push blood pressure to higher levels.

One of the most effective ways to treat high blood pressure is to ensure a proper diet. Here are some diets for hypertensive patients that are often recommended:
Eat more vegetables, limit meat: A diet containing lots of vegetables, tubers, fruits and fiber is very good for the heart. Protein sources for the body can be supplemented from fish, tofu, ... instead of meat. Blood pressure will be stable if you regularly follow this diet Reduce sodium content: People with high blood pressure or cardiovascular diseases need to maintain their daily sodium intake between 1,500 milligrams and 2,300 milligrams. The best way to reduce sodium content is to prepare fresh foods, limit eating ready-to-eat foods, fast foods or foods processed in restaurants. Limit sweets: Confectionery or soft drinks that contain a lot of sugar can raise blood pressure and worsen symptoms of hypertension. You should eat a lot of fruits and vegetables because they are very good sugar supplements. In addition, studies also show that dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure. In addition to a reasonable diet, regular exercise, maintaining a reasonable weight, keeping your mind relaxed, reducing stress and fatigue, and limiting the use of stimulants such as alcohol, beer, and tobacco ... are also effective ways to help you control your blood pressure.

The treatment of high blood pressure needs to strictly follow the doctor's instructions. Self-treatment or misuse of drugs will bring serious consequences. Some drugs to treat high blood pressure include:
Beta blockers (also known as beta blockers, beta blockers) help reduce the heart rate thereby reducing the amount of blood through the arteries to limit the pressure of the blood on the walls of the blood vessels. circuit. In addition, it also inhibits the production of certain hormones that can increase blood pressure Diuretics: Diuretics help the kidneys increase the ability of the kidneys to remove excess sodium from the body, helping to lower blood pressure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: Angiotensin has vasoconstrictor effects, so angiotensin-blockers work to help dilate blood vessel walls thereby reducing blood pressure on the vessel walls, supporting effective treatment of hypertension. Alternatively, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) can also be used. ARBs help block the binding of angiotensin to receptors, neutralizing their effects. Calcium channel blockers: In some cases, calcium can enter the heart muscle causing an increase in heart rate and thereby increase blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers can prevent that, helping to regulate heart rhythm. In addition, the drug also has the effect of dilating blood vessels, reducing pressure on the walls of blood vessels. Alpha-2 agonists: The mechanism of this drug is to inhibit nerve impulses responsible for vasoconstriction, helping the vessel walls to dilate, reducing pressure. In addition to taking medication, to stabilize blood pressure, you still need to apply a reasonable diet as well as exercise.

High blood pressure is a dangerous disease, a "silent killer", treatment of hypertension is a long process, requiring patience of the patient. If you have no symptoms of the disease, do not be subjective but take the following measures:
Regularly check your blood pressure. Maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen. Limit the use of alcohol, beer, tobacco. Go to medical facilities for advice in case of detecting abnormally high blood pressure for a long time. Ginseng can be very good, but they are not recommended for patients with high blood pressure, because they can have side effects that make the disease more dangerous. High blood pressure is a silent disease with few symptoms but can cause serious complications. Therefore, early recognition of the signs of the disease will make treatment easier.
Currently, Vinmec has basic hypertension packages and advanced hypertension packages for many users. With a medical team - doctors are leading experts, highly qualified, dedicated and wholeheartedly for the benefit of patients. Vinmec is confident about its hypertensive screening service because:
With 90% having university degrees, 20% being professors and associate professors, nearly 30% having doctorate degrees, bringing high efficiency in medical examination and treatment. Healing. Comprehensive and professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services. A system of modern equipment, supporting effective diagnosis and treatment. Modern, civilized, luxurious and sterile medical examination and treatment space.

Reference sources: webmd.com, healthline.com