What Is Hypertension?
Hypertension comes about when blood pressure becomes too high! Blood pressure is a combination of systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is blood force, while the heart is beating and diastolic pressure stands for blood force when the heart is at rest.
Blood pressure ranges include:
- Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg
- Prehypertension: Systolic between 120–129 and diastolic less than 80
- Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic between 130–139 or diastolic between 80–89
- Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg
Are there any Symptoms?
Often there are no symptoms as blood pressure increases!! Sometimes there are warning signs for very high blood pressure: chest pains, confusion, headaches, ear noise or buzzing, irregular heartbeat, nosebleeds, tiredness or vision changes. If you are experiencing any of these signs get your blood pressure checked as soon as possible, either at a Pharmacy, your GP, or of course your Naturopath can check it for you!
Causes of Hypertension include:
- A high-salt diet
- De-hydration
- Emotional stress
- Alcohol
- Caffeine (coffee & caffeinated soft/energy drinks)
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Inactivity
- Birth control pills
- Heavy-metal poisoning
Results of Hypertension include:
- Arterial damage
- Aneurysm
- Heart failure
- Blocked or ruptured blood vessels
- Reduced kidney function
- Vision loss
- Loss of cognitive function: concentration, memory and ability to learn
- Metabolic syndrome: a cluster of metabolic disorders such as high cholesterol and insulin, atherosclerosis and increased waist size
If you or a family member are suffering from Hypertension, it is important to treat it as soon as possible to avoid further bodily damage.
At the Natural Health Coach we try to identify the causes & potential triggers for hypertension, whilst helping you to lower & maintain your blood pressure at a healthy rate.
We will discuss
- Diet – foods to avoid & those that positively influence Blood Pressure
- Lifestyle – activity, work-life balance, stress levels, relaxation strategies
- Appropriate Remedies & Supplements – one that will not contraindicate your current medications, or that may even help you avoid long term drug intervention!
If you would like to discuss how Natural Medicine could benefit your blood pressure, reach out to your Naturopath or Herbalist today. You can send me a message on the link below.Or checkout my Facebook Page