Hypertension
Treating
at Ozark Holistic Center
They call it the "silent killer"
What is hypertension?
Hypertension refers to systolic blood pressure that is consistently higher than the safe and normal range (literally "too much pressure;" hyper meaning "too much" and "tension" relating pressure). Any reading higher than the normal range is considered hypertension and can lead to serious health issues if left unattended.
What is a blood pressure reading really measuring?
"Blood pressure" is talked about a lot in the medical sphere, but many people do not understand it beyond knowing what the numbers should read. Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers, and they each refer to the amount of force exerted on the walls of the blood vessels at two different stages of the heartbeat process. When the heart beats, it forces oxygen-rich blood through the arteries--this occurs between 60 and 100 times per minute. This number is your heart rate (measured in beats per minute/bpm). Heart rate has an effect on blood pressure, but they are two different readings.
If you've ever gotten your blood pressure read and thought, "But 120 what over 80? What are we measuring, exactly?" you are not alone. You might find systolic readings confusing partially because they are not actually measured like air pressure. If you check the pressure in your tire, you'll a number in psi - pounds per square inch. But we don't detect hypertension like this. Blood pressure instruments (sphygmomanometers) have traditionally used contained vials of mercury that respond to minute changes in pressure. For this reason, blood pressure force is measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury). That unit may seem arbitrary, but because the data is concerning very small changes in very small objects that are concealed behind skin (and puncturing a blood vessel will change the pressure within it), the obstacles for getting accurate data start to pile up quite quickly. We can get the clearest readings by measuring it indirectly.
So, with that knowledge, the top number in the data is the amount of pressure detected (measured in mmHg) when the heart is actively pushing blood through the body (systolic pressure, should read between 90 and 120) and the bottom number is the amount of pressure detected between active beats, when the heart is momentarily at rest (diastolic pressure, should read between 80 and 90).
If either of these two numbers are higher than the normal range, it is considered hypertension.
How does hypertension develop?
Several factors may contribute to hypertension. Hypertension usually means that blood vessels have been chronically constricted; the pipes moving oxygen and blood to all the parts of the body have become too small to move the supply needed. The volume of blood moving stays the same, but the space is tighter, raising the pressure. This increased pressure over time wears on the walls of the veins and arteries, which can create weak spots that are at risk of rupturing (stroke, aneurysm). This also means the heart is working harder to move the same amount of blood. Overworking the heart without purchase can lead to heart disease and attacks.
Hypertension may sometimes be hereditary, but often is develops over time. It is predicted that less than half of all cases of hypertension get diagnosed, but people who engage with or are subject to the following are at greater risk.
Alcohol
Tobacco
Physical inactivity
Obesity
High stress levels for prolonged periods
Sleep apnea
Some medications
Some environmental factors (see Heavy Metal Overload)
Low water intake
Vitamin and mineral deficiency
Diets high in salt saturated fats
What problems can come from having hypertension?
Blood pressure may seem like a small piece of data until we consider that the entire body demands reliable and consistent blood flow. Blood pressure can actually be one of the first indicators of a more significant issues. When we notice high blood pressure, we know there is more to look at. Over time, untreated hypertension can lead to a wide range of health consequences.
Mild effects of high blood pressure can include headaches, shortness of breath,
bruising easily, throbbing in your ears when going to sleep, and anxiety. Severe risks start to build up quickly, however. Consequences can become as serious as:
Heart attacks
Stoke
Aneurysm
Retinopathy (from damaged blood vessels in the eyes)
Organ decline (from damaged blood vessels in the organs)
Vascular dementia (from damaged blood vessels in the brain)
How do we fix it?
We address hypertension in the most natural way we know how. Our paths include implementing physical activity, improving diet, deep breathing exercises, and helping your body detox from anything that may be causing duress. We may also include massages in your regimen: massages can help stimulate controlled blood flow all over the body.
The easiest thing you can do if you are concerned you might have hypertension is to start doing some light exercise. If you are not accustomed to exercising, work your way up with some mild physical activity once a day. We recommend a moderately paced 20 minute walk daily. Keep a brisk pace, but don't work so hard you can't hold a conversation while you walk. It's a good idea to walk with or call a friend to keep up motivation and monitor your own pace. We will help you through navigating how to implement an exercise routine that works for you and heals your body. Jumping too fast into intense physical activity can cause serious problems, depending the level of chronic hypertension. Light physical activity elevates the heart rate and blood pressure, so that when the heart is at rest the numbers fall like they are supposed to. Over time, this will gently decrease blood pressure, but we will likely need additional interventions as well.
Need help?
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, are dealing with any of the symptoms listed above, or know of a family history of thyroid issues, please call us. You may not exhibit all of the symptoms listed, but even one or two can be a sign of something bigger--and we would love the opportunity to help you catch it early. We have a lot of experience dealing with cardiac and vascular naturally and safely. We offer a free phone or in-person consultation to help you understand how we can get your health back on track.