Q: I’ve had high blood pressure for years, and my doc says it may be because my red blood cells are too large. Is this really possible?
A: Abnormally large red blood cells absolutely can be a cause of high blood pressure. Think about it – when your cells are too large, your heart has to pump harder (thus raising your blood pressure) to squeeze the cells through your tight capillaries.
And if the MCV reading (which measures blood volume) on your CBC report is high, that could be exactly what’s causing your high blood pressure.
I’ve treated patients with this type of high blood pressure without having to resort to prescription drugs. In my experience, patients with both elevated homocysteine and MCV levels may no longer be able to absorb B vitamins orally, which can cause the cells to enlarge. I have had excellent results giving these patients weekly injections of B vitamins, in addition to putting them on a supplement regimen.
Also, I have found that the same nutritional deficiencies that may lead to a rise in your homocysteine levels may cause your red blood cells to enlarge. I offer a more detailed look at these nutritional deficiencies, and how to correct them, in the May issue of Health Revelations. To subscribe, click here.
To send me a question of your own, e-mail me at askdrferril@healthrevelations.com
Some things to know before you submit your question:
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