“High blood pressure;” those words might not mean much to you, but they mean a whole lot to your body. The implications of high blood pressure can be detrimental to your overall health and longevity. As a matter of fact, did you know that increased periods of high blood pressure, or also known as hypertension, contribute to blockages in your arteries as well as blood vessels of the brain, significantly raising your chances of having a heart attack or stroke? 

Having high blood pressure is no joke, and it’s no wonder why the health community is so adamant about taking care of yourself and preventing hypertension. Here, we’ll learn more about high blood pressure and what it is exactly, what the numbers mean, what causes it, and how integrative and functional medicine can help.

What is blood pressure – what do the numbers mean?

Every minute, your heart pumps five to seven liters of blood, which then gets pumped throughout the rest of your body via your veins and arteries; if you’re healthy, that is. Your blood pressure is the measurement of how heavy or how lightly (or the pressure; the force) the blood pumps through your arteries as it goes from your heart to the rest of your body. Depending on your daily activity level, your blood pressure level can rise and fall throughout the day. For example, if you’re relaxing, your blood pressure would naturally be lower than it would be if you’re going for a jog.

According to the CDC, “Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

• The first (top) number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
• The second (bottom) number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

If the measurement reads 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, you would say, “120 over 80,” or write, ‘120/80 mmHg.’” Normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80 or lower. There are two stages of high blood pressure: stage 1 is 130/80, stage 2 is 140/90 or higher. Anything between 120/80 and 129/89 is considered pre-hypertension, and anything reading 180/110 or higher more than once is considered “hypertensive crisis” and needs medical treatment right away.

What can cause high blood pressure?

It’s estimated that almost half of all adults in the United States have hypertension, and it seems to be on the rise. So, what exactly causes high blood pressure? 

There are specific predispositions that might make you more at risk for high blood pressure, such as the following: 

• Being overweight
• Eating too much salty or over processed foods
• Not getting enough exercise
• Drinking too much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks)
• Smoking
• Having a lot of stress in your daily routine/life
• You’re over 65
• Have a relative with high blood pressure
• If you’re of black African or black Caribbean descent
• Living in a deprived/marginalized area

There are also medical conditions that can increase your blood pressure, such as: 

• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Long-term kidney infections
• Sleep apnea – where the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing
• Glomerulonephritis – damage to the tiny filters inside the kidneys
• Narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys
• Hormone problems – such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• Lupus – a condition in which the immune system attacks parts of the body, such as the skin, joints and organs
• Scleroderma – a condition that causes thickened skin, and sometimes problems with organs and blood vessels

The good news is that most of these risk factors can be addressed. Although you can’t change your family history, you can make changes by adjusting your diet and losing weight, and managing stress. There are also effective medication options as well as functional medicine options that can relieve high blood pressure.

How Integrated Health and Wellness Combats High Blood Pressure

At our integrative medical clinic, we utilize an integrated health and wellness approach to combat your high blood pressure, by looking at your overall genetic makeup and personal lifestyle, seeking to understand you and your body with the goal of creating a happier, healthier, and whole YOU. These services are tailored to you and your needs, without all of the extras that traditional medicine might force you to do or take. We offer chronic disease management for high blood pressure, as well as “Get Healthy” and “Live Healthy” services to keep you healthy and moving. If you’re concerned you might have high blood pressure, or would like to try a different approach, give us a call today.

Ready to take by your health?

Schedule an appointment with us today. We look forward to meeting you!