Description

High blood pressure (hypertension) is defined as a blood pressure reading of greater than 140/90 mmHg. The top number in the ratio represents systolic pressure (the pressure when your heart beats), while the bottom number represents diastolic pressure (the pressure when your heart is at rest).

A normal blood pressure reading is below 120/80. Readings between 120-139 over 80-89 are referred to as pre-hypertension. For people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, a reading of greater than 130/80 is considered high.

High blood pressure is often referred to as the "silent killer," as its effects are often not noticed until significant damage has occurred. Nearly one in three adults (more than 65 million) and more than half of all adults over the age of 60 have high blood pressure.

Primary effects of untreated high blood pressure may include:

- An enlarged heart, leading to heart failure.

- Injury to the lining of the arteries, subsequent inflammation and buildup of plaque, and blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the heart, brain, etc.

- Small bulges (aneurysms) in the arteries, which may burst and result in internal bleeding.

- Damage to and failure of the blood vessels in the kidneys.

- Bursting of the blood vessels in the eye, leading to vision loss or blindness.

Causes

Many people experience high blood pressure without specific identifiable causes. This is referred to as "primary" or "essential" hypertension.

There are many potential secondary causes of high blood pressure, including:

- Smoking

- Being overweight or obese

- Excess dietary salt

- Nutrient deficiencies

- Toxin exposure - e.g., heavy metals

- Physical inactivity

- Psychological stress

My Treatment Approach

- If overweight, guide the client how to reach and maintain a healthier body weight.

- Shift to an anti-inflammatory diet.

- Supplement to help manage blood pressure levels and moderate inflammation, e.g.:

     - Vitamins

     - Minerals

     - Essential fatty acids

- Avoid future toxin exposure, and safely / properly reduce existing toxin levels in the body.

- If smoking, try to stop on your own or join a smoking cessation program.

- Incorporate regular, moderate exercise.