David O'Hara
David O'Hara is a freelance writer and researcher in the field of natural health. He is also the creator of the Breatheasy System for natural blood pressure and stress control.
David is a graduate of the University of California Santa Cruz and has traveled extensively. He lives with his wife in the south of Spain.
Articles by David O'Hara
January 07, 2010
Health strategies involving complex diets and/or so-called superfoods are misguided. Evolution shows that people can survive and thrive with low incidence of hypertension and heart disease on the most diverse diets imaginable. The important thing is not what you eat but what you don't eat.
January 07, 2010
It's ironic that some of the processed foods created as safer substitutes for saturated fats and sugar are the true monsters. These "Frankenstein Foods" must be avoided for good health and lower blood pressure.
October 22, 2009
Sodium is not the only mineral associated with blood pressure control. Magnesium is vital to a balance of minerals that help to regulate healthy blood pressure. Find out how you can benefit most from magnesium here.
October 19, 2009
An enlarged heart is one of the most common yet little-known consequences of high blood pressure. Virtually everyone with uncontrolled hypertension will have the condition to some degree. Enlarged heart is extremely dangerous as it is a frequent precursor to heart failure. Luckily, the condition is reversible but prompt action is needed.
August 26, 2009
In recent years doctors have set blood pressure targets ever lower, often to unrealistic levels. A major study of 30,000 people now shows that these targets are not only unnecessary but may even be dangerous.
September 06, 2009
Drugs can be used to treat high blood pressure but they can also cause or contribute to it. Find out how common medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can affect your blood pressure.
June 02, 2009
Lifestyle is increasingly blamed for every possible health problem. At its extreme it even makes some people feel that any health conditions they develop are their own fault. This applies especially to high blood pressure. But new research shows that there are genetic and other factors beyond one's control that can predispose a person to hypertension.
May 12, 2009
Many people have "inhibitory" breathing habits, often due to stress, without even realizing it. The problem is that chronic erratic breathing can lead to health problems, particularly high blood pressure. Luckily, the opposite is equally true: slow, regulated breathing can help to lower blood pressure.
April 07, 2009
Many doctors are excited about a new "magic bullet" drug claimed to cut the risk of heart attack and stroke by 50% or more. Some are calling for the drug to be given to everyone over the age of 55 or even younger. Sadly, this is yet another case of inflated claims, unmentioned side effects and a misguided attempt to trap healthy people in a drugs trap in the name of prevention.
February 20, 2009
A recent blood pressure study demonstrates how special interests, with help from the media, are manipulating research in an attempt to discredit natural health practices such as the well-established practice of using lifestyle modifications for lower blood pressure.
February 07, 2009
Conventional blood pressure readings only show a tiny picture of your condition at one point in time. Do they have the significance on which to base important treatment decisions such as taking powerful medications? Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a way to reveal a much more accurate view of your blood pressure. Many people facing hypertension treatment should insist on it.
January 31, 2009
Many people equate salt, or sodium, with heart disease but the truth is much more complex. Potassium may be able to counter the effects of excess sodium and when a healthy balance of minerals is consumed there is rarely a need for extreme sodium restriction and salt substitutes.
February 01, 2009
Most people automatically associate high blood pressure with heart disease but there is an equally strong link between hypertension and Alzheimer's disease. New research indicates that older people can reduce their risk of dementia by half by controlling their blood pressure.
January 01, 2009
Music has long been known for its ability to lower blood pressure but there is now evidence that it can also reduce cholesterol. Listening to music produces both of these benefits by releasing nitric oxide into the bloodstream, expanding blood vessels by an average of 26%. Improved blood flow lowers blood pressure and prevents the buildup of clots and cholesterol.
December 15, 2008
Breathing is commonly used as a therapeutic technique in Eastern medicine. Indeed, breathing has now been clinically demonstrated to influence, among many other things, our blood pressure. Simple breathing techniques have been developed that allow anyone to reduce their blood pressure in just minutes a day - and these changes can become long-lasting.
November 24, 2008
The ability of certain Indian yogis to slow their heartbeat and control other aspects of their physiology could point the way to natural blood pressure control. The most powerful tool that allows these mystics to perform their amazing physical feats is their breathing. Now researchers have identified a simple method of slow breathing that anyone can learn to lower their blood pressure and control it naturally.
November 22, 2008
Most people are aware of the side effects of their prescription drugs. However, there may be much more severe but hidden consequences in their long-term use.
November 18, 2008
Is it true that certain foods such as garlic and chocolate can lower blood pressure? If so, by how much and, even more importantly, will they work for you? Discover the truth about food and diet for health and lower blood pressure.
September 29, 2008
Breathing exercise is no longer just for health nuts. It's implicated in several ways with improved health and longevity. Breathing exercise as part of a lifestyle overhaul has proved to increase telomerase, and enzyme that helps prevent our cells from aging. Breathing also helps control stress and blood pressure, thus contributing to longer, healthier living.
September 23, 2008
Recent studies show that listening to music can lower blood pressure. Sadly, they are often misreported in a way that reduces their significance. They usually conclude that such methods can never replace blood pressure medications. But, in fact, listening to music with the addition of slow breathing has helped thousands of people to reduce, avoid or even eliminate potentially dangerous drugs.
September 07, 2008
In the debate over alcohol and a healthy heart and blood pressure, most evidence points to moderate drinking as good for us. But caution is needed because the answer that's even more clear is that excessive drinking is very damaging. So how much is too much? Sadly, the conventional wisdom about "units" of alcohol is a red herring with no scientific validity. Fortunately, most people can regognize their limits as a matter of common sense.
July 03, 2008
Most people only think of heart attack or stroke when they think of the risks of high blood pressure. But it really affects the entire body, causing numerous health problems including kidney damage, vision problems, hardening of the arteries and erectile dysfunction, among others. Prevention is simple: lower blood pressure.
April 29, 2008
It is often said that babies in the womb feel everything that their mothers experience. Studies now confirm this with evidence that stress hormones are able to penetrate the placenta and affect the unborn child, possibly even doing lifelong damage. Medications, of course, are to be avoided at all costs during pregnancy. Unfortunately, most relaxation and other stress-relief methods have only temporary effects and busy women can have trouble finding time for them. But an easy and enjoyable new method called slow breathing with music can lower blood pressure and relieve stress in a lasting way and takes only a few minutes a day. Your baby will enjoy it too!
May 11, 2008
Singing has long been recognized for its ability to strengthen the respiratory system. But new research reveals that some forms of singing, Gregorian Chant, in particular, have further health benefits including lowering blood pressure and reducing stress and anxiety. The secret is in the breathing. Unique features of Gregorian Chant such as regular cadence and limited range of tone make it an ideal form of breathing therapy. And now you can reap the benefits of Gregorian chant without even having to sing. A special breathing track combined with the singing offers a way to participate in this unique pattern.
May 10, 2008
An ancient religious practice, Gregorian chant, is experiencing a surge in popularity. Researchers have discovered that the breathing patterns promoted by Gregorian chant can lower blood pressure, relieve stress and deliver further health benefits. There are many ways to take advantage of chantings health benefits, and you don't even need to learn to sing!
April 29, 2008
A class of drug called statins, originally developed to lower cholesterol, are being touted in the press as the latest wonder drug to fight high blood pressure. Do they work? Yes, but are they worth the risks? Statins can produce severe and dangerous side effects including extremely painful muscle cramps and liver damage. Some users have suffered disabling effects. Luckily, blood pressure responds well to simple lifestyle changes and other natural methods. Statins should be treated as a last resort for severe cases of hypertension when safer forms of treatment have failed.
April 27, 2008
Anxiety disorders can strike anyone and can be extremely distressing. Relaxation techniques are frequently recommended to help cope with anxiety and panic attack but their effects are usually only temporary. Breathing techniques are another common tactic but one should be very careful about "deep" breathing as this can easily cause hyperventilation. Slow breathing is far more effective and helps stabilize both the respiratory and circulatory systems.
April 11, 2008
Contrary to popular belief, meditation really can reduce high blood pressure. The effects may be due to the regulated breathing usually practiced along with meditation, which explains why other forms of more passive relaxation do not produce the same results on blood pressure. An alternative method called slow breathing with music may be even more effective as it combines relaxation with a breathing method clinically optimized to lower high blood pressure.
February 11, 2008
Do natural blood pressure remedies really work to lower blood pressure? And if they don't, why not? This article explains the shortcomings of natural blood pressure remedies (and drugs) and shows what works and what doesn't.
February 09, 2008
Beetroot juice is currently a hot news item for its ability to lower blood pressure. But is it really a "superfood" in the fight against high blood pressure or just a false hope?
January 27, 2008
Should prescription medication be your first step when dealing with high blood pressure?
Well, it seems that according to the pharmaceutical companies, and most doctors, it is. Too often, the first thing a doctor does after determining that a patient's blood pressure reading exceeds the "normal"...
January 22, 2008
Many people think of medicine as a bitter pill. This applies especially to high blood pressure treatment, a common condition for which medications are rampantly over-prescribed. Side effects are almost inevitable and range from merely annoying to completely debilitating.
This is a tragedy because...
January 09, 2008
When you mention natural blood pressure remedies many people immediately think of herbs, minerals or other supplements. But the truth is that many of these are no more natural than prescription drugs. In fact, they are often powerful substances that can have unpredictable side effects. What's more, ...
January 08, 2008
The medical profession is finally waking up to what logic and intuition has always told us: stress is a major factor in high blood pressure. Until recently stress was considered only a contributing factor and not in itself a primary cause of hypertension. It therefore followed that relaxation and st...
December 18, 2007
The power of our breathing has been recognized since the dawn of human awareness. It's at the core of ancient disciplines such as yoga, meditation, martial arts and a variety of healing arts. Most notably in Eastern cultures, some people have devoted their lives to mastery of their breathing and oth...
December 12, 2007
It seems like every time you read about a health issue in a magazine or website lately some alternative health guru is telling you how to breathe. The instructions can range from the totally ludicrous to the simply misinformed. Advice on breathing is a perfect example of how useless information can ...
November 28, 2007
What comes to mind when you think of relaxation programs for stress relief? Do you think of things like meditation or yoga? Or how about those ubiquitous relaxation CDs with panpipes and babbling brooks?
Hordes of people obviously find these useful but they are all more or less examples of passiv...
November 25, 2007
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects at least one in three adults in the United States and many other developed countries. Even more alarmingly, it is afflicting an increasing number of young people, some as young as 12 years old. So it's not surprising that hypertension medications are amo...