Expert: Meg Jordan, PhD, RN - 5/13/2010

Question
Meg
This is about my 40 year old hubby, but his Mom says he was the same as a kid.
He has suffered from hypertension all his life, even in childhood.
He also has a pronounced abdomen, though it is free of fat-it just sticks out.
He says the only time it was'nt like this was a short time in his 20's. His blood pressure was very low and his belly was flat.
He gives blood regularly so that is how he keeps track of his B.P.
Hi is now taking prescribed medicine, but I have been researching natural medicines and came across Hawthorn berries.Not only are they supposed to help with hypertension but also with a distended abdomen.
Any thoughts on the relationship between belly and blood pressure and the use of Hawthornappreciated!

Answer
Hawthorn berries are great for the heart's contractility so the pumping is more efficient.  That could help his overall cardiovascular efficiency, and perhaps his hypertension would be reduced. As for the protruding abdomen, I would think that a great ab workout, done properly, might help considerably!  Posture and strengthening are the keys to a taut belly. I've never heard of Hawnthorn berries helping a distended belly, unless of course, the belly was distended from ascites which is a condition caused by back-up circulation unable to perfuse the liver due to sclerosis or hardening. This could happen with excessive alcohol intake, too.  Not that your hubby has that problem, I'm just unable to relate it to anything other than poor musculature conditioning of the abdominal and transverse muscles, or to fluid build up in the abdominal cavity causing distention.  In any case, he should see a doctor or nurse practitioner to monitor his BP and then  evaluate why the belly sticks out, too.  Good luck to you!