Lowering blood pressure
Zona Plus : A Hand Held Device To Treat Hypertension
By Dr. Gifford JonesCould experiments on F-16 fighter pilots help to decrease the need of blood pressure pills? In the 1960s an Air Force study was conducted in an endeavour to increase a pilot’s ability to withstand the huge G-forces and prevent him from blacking out during aerial combat.
Researchers discovered that exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles could decrease the effect of gravitational forces. They also demonstrated that hand gripping exercises could fight hypertension. Now, because of this research a hand-held computer device called “Zona Plus” is available to lower blood pressure.
The Harvard Medical School initially thought the Zona device was a hoax and carried out research to prove it was fraudulent treatment. But to its embarrassment and amazement it discovered that the instrument was an effective way to fight high blood pressure without pills. It even published a full page article on the Zona device in The Harvard Health Letter saying it was equal or better than a first–line anti-hypertension drug.
Since that time the Zona hand-gripping device has undergone extensive tests and proven to be effective for 90 percent of users. Patients have been able to either decrease medication or completely stop it. There’s no need for diet changes, drugs or strenuous exercise and you can use the Zona device while watching television, talking on the telephone or any activity where you can see the Zona screen.
Today 75 million North Americans have hypertension and doctors are now seeing high blood pressure in overweight young people. But also as we age our arteries, like an old rubber hose, become less pliable due to atherosclerosis, a main cause of hypertension.
The problem is that hypertension is often silent for many years, but increased pressure day after day causes injury to the heart, kidneys and other vital organs. The end result may be a fatal coronary attack, stroke or gradual heart and kidney failure.
Time-honoured treatment for high blood pressure has been the use of various types of medication. But patients often stop these drugs due to miserable side effects such as fatigue, headache, joint pain and impotence. The Zona device circumvents this problem.
Patients first grasp the small hand-held Zona device to measure their own grip strength for both hands. This measurement is then used to calculate the amount of grip strength needed to restrict the blood flow in the forearms. This restriction releases nitric acid, a powerful dilator, into the blood stream that safely dilates blood vessels and decreases hypertension. The device also causes a change in vagal control, much like doing Yoga without the time commitment.
The exercise takes 12 minutes a day, a minimum of three times a week and a built in LCD computer screen allows you to keep tabs on what’s happening during the exercise. It tells you if you’re squeezing too much or exerting too little pressure and grades your attempt each time.
I’ve tried the Zona device and tested it on patients, family and friends. It’s ideal for those who want to get off medication that requires lifetime use, often with health consequences. The Zona device is initially used 12 minutes daily five times a week and later only three times weekly.
The Zona device costs $350.00 but since it’s a one-time purchase is cost effective compared to a lifetime on medication. Besides, it can be used by all family members.
Don’t be disappointed if you first achieve scores below 80. You may also have to squeeze less vigorously at the beginning and gradually work up to full strength. Moreover, don’t expect to see any drop in pressure for 5 to 8 weeks. But the pressure will drop quickly within a few days. So it’s vital not give up as it may take a full eight weeks.
It’s refreshing to add a non-pill treatment to treat hypertension. But remember, always consult your own doctor before stopping any medication. And if your physician has placed limitations on physical activity, seek his advice before using the Zona device.
For more information call the toll-free number 1-866-669-9662 or visit the web site http://www.zona.com
Next week – a natural way to beat stress without drugs
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W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of The Harvard Medical School. He’s been a ship’s surgeon, hotel physician and family doctor and later trained in surgery at McGill in Montreal, University of Rochester N.Y. and Harvard. His medical column is published by 60 Canadian newspapers and several in the U.S. He is the author of seven books. Dr. Walker has a medical practice in Toronto. His Web site is: http://www.mydoctor.ca/gifford-jones. He can be reached at:
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