I have both Ashwagandha and Jiaogulan.  I have read some customer reviews of people getting the opposite reaction with Ashwagandha (increased BP and rapid heart beat)and so I've been reluctant to suggest that he take it.  

This would only happen with allergies to the herb.  Allergic responses result in an increase of epinephrine (adrenaline) that speeds up and strengthens the heart contractions.

He is overweight, but he is a strong, hard worker and he gets more done than most people I know.

Coleus also helps with weight loss not only by supporting thyroid function, but also by stimulating brown adipose tissue (BAT) to burn white adipose tissue (WAT).  Same principle as the use of ephedrine to stimulate BAT, but with a lowering of blood pressure instead of an increase in blood pressure.

Marci, have you tried Turmeric?  I wonder if it would help your husband's chest pain.  I never really tried it until a couple of weeks ago when I got my son's cold.  It was mostly in my sinuses.  I tried Turmeric with Quercetin and it helped wonders! It seemed to help ease my symptoms of itchy watery eyes and sneezing and it also seemed like the cold didn't last as long as it normally would have.  That combination is now going to be my "go to medicine" for colds and flue that involve the sinuses.

The turmeric also by itself helped get rid of headaches, aches and pains and cramps from my menstruation.

I don't know if he would be open to trying it, but if it worked it would seem to be a lot healthier than taking Aspirin everyday.

An update... We had our doctor appointment this morning and this new doctor actually seemed like a pretty good guy.  I did not detect any arrogance, just a sincere desire to help.  He said the beta blocker would not be a good choice because my husbands heart rate is already low (66).  So he gave us a prescription for a diuretic, stating that usually when the diastolic number is that high it's because of too much fluid in the body or a malfunction with the kidneys.

His BP at the office today was still too high.  It was 140/100, BUT... At this other clinic (where we went today) my husband is a little more relaxed and it doesn't go as high as the 160/96 where his DOT physical is being done.

The good news is this doctor said he could sign off for the DOT physical once the BP comes down enough.  So the plan is for hubs to go back in on Friday.  Between the new diuretic and adding the herbs it should be low enough for him to get certified.

My experience through all of this is that the herbs work better than the meds, both in how quickly they kick in and in how effective they are.  Plus I must say the side effects are far more desirable with the herbs than with prescription meds.  The prescription meds have side effects of memory loss, poor circulation of cold hands and feet, dizziness and impotence just to name a few.
Whereas the side effects of herbs can be exactly the opposite, better circulation, more energy, increase in libido and brain function.
I've also noticed the herbs have a more desirable affect on the diastolic number in my husbands blood pressure.  Both the Hawthorn and the Coleus Forskohlii bring the diastolic number down AND they also seem to even out the readings between the left and right arm.
Where the lisinopril only will marginally bring down the systolic number and still there is a vast difference in my husband's readings between his left and right arm.  It's kind of strange... His right arm has ALWAYS been much higher than his left.  It might have something to do with where his heart attack was 10 years ago.  One side of his heart had two blockages, one a complete blockage and another was a  partial blockage down along the same artery.

One good thing I hope to come of this is his being more aware of his health and having some incentive to make healthier decisions.  He has been somewhat complacent, but it is hard to always be so vigilant about ones diet and exercise.
At least we have found some herbs that really make a difference in his blood pressure and over time they might increase his health.
I know I feel smarter and more energetic than I did before I started taking herbs and other supplements.  I am much more courageous in trying new things and having the confidence to do them.  I'm thinking of volunteering for our local fire department and I'd like to learn how to do grant writing.  Our local homeless shelter could really use some funding.  They are running only on donations and volunteers right now.
I would have never had the confidence to even consider the possibility that I could be useful enough to do something like that before.
All thanks to the long term use of the herbs and supplements that James has suggested.  They really have built up my endurance over time. I can finally tackle daily challenges and believe that I can accomplish things.
Sure the economy is bad and both my husband and I are looking for work, but I no longer feel despair.  My health both mental and physical is in a much better state and I am better able to deal with things now than I was a few years ago.  And I know I wouldn't feel that way if it weren't for some of these wonderful herbs.
Government commodities to the poor should include rations of Ashwagandha and Schizandra.  We should be strengthening our nation and building up our people by giving them some real tools that make a difference. LOL

...As you can tell I really love my herbs and supplements.  I will be forever grateful for the way they have given me my life back.