Welcome to “Revamp My Life,” where we explore ways to enhance our life by exploring every facet of life including health and well-being. Today, we’re diving deep into the topic of blood pressure—what it is, how it’s measured, what the optimal ranges are, and what to do if your readings fall outside the normal range. We’ll also explore both high and low blood pressure from a functional medicine perspective, offering treatments backed by peer-reviewed research. Why blood pressure? Well I have recently been asked how to approach high blood pressure and I am currently suffering from low blood pressure. So I decided to research both at the same time and do this blog. Please let me know if you found this helpful, if you have tried any of the remedies with or without success or if you would like a further deep dive into this topic.
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the body’s arteries. It is a crucial indicator of cardiovascular health. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and presented as two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure when your heart beats) over diastolic pressure (the pressure when your heart rests between beats).
How is Blood Pressure Measured?
Blood pressure is measured using a device called a sphygmomanometer, either manually or digitally. The cuff is placed around your upper arm, inflated to restrict blood flow, and then gradually deflated while a sensor or stethoscope detects the point at which blood flow resumes.
What Should Your Blood Pressure Be?
The American Heart Association (AHA) classifies blood pressure readings as follows:
- Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg
- Variation of <10 mm up or down on either measure is still considered normal and not a great cause for concern. Try lowering high BP with breathing or meditation practice or increasing lower blood pressure with electrolyte and increased hydration.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (Hypertension), is a condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. Here’s a closer look at the ranges, potential causes, symptoms, and functional medicine treatments.
Ranges and Associated Symptoms
1. Elevated (120-129/<80 mm Hg):
– Symptoms: Often none.
– Causes: Diet high in sodium or sugar, lack of exercise, stress.
– Treatment: Lifestyle changes like reducing sodium intake by reducing processed food consumption and take-aways, eliminating sugar, increasing physical activity, and practicing stress management. (*Ref: AHA Guidelines*)
2. Hypertension Stage 1 (130-139/80-89 mm Hg):
– Symptoms: May include mild headaches.
– Causes: Genetics, overweight, stress, smoking, poor diet (processed food, bad fats and high sugar).
– Treatment: Dietary approaches such as DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Stress management, like meditation, yoga and Thai Chi (*Ref: Sacks et al., NEJM, 2001*)
3. Hypertension Stage 2 (≥140/≥90 mm Hg):
– Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds.
– Causes: Chronic kidney disease, adrenal disorders, stress.
– Treatment: In addition to lifestyle changes, supplements such as Coenzyme Q10, Omega-3 fatty acids, and magnesium have shown effectiveness. (*Ref: Rosenfeldt et al., Journal of Human Hypertension, 2007*)
4. Hypertensive Crisis (≥180/≥120 mm Hg):
– Symptoms: Severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, blurred vision.
– Causes: Can be due to uncontrolled hypertension, toxins, or severe stress.
– Treatment: Immediate medical attention is required. Functional approaches can include emergency dietary modification and stress management interventions. (*Ref: James et al., JAMA, 2014*)
When to See Your GP and Treat it as an Emergency
If your readings consistently fall into the elevated or hypertension stages, it’s time to consult your physician
Seek immediate medical attention if your blood pressure is in the hypertensive crisis range or if you experience symptoms like severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, or vision changes.
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is when your blood pressure is below 100 over 70
Ranges and Associated Symptoms
1. Lo to Mild Hypotension (90-99/60-69 mm Hg):
– Symptoms: Often none.
– Causes: Dehydration, extended bed rest, pregnancy.
– Treatment: Increase water and salt intake, moderate exercise. (*Ref: National Health Service Guidelines, UK*)
2. Moderate Hypotension (80-89/50-59 mm Hg):
– Symptoms: Dizziness, fatigue, fainting.
– Causes: Heart conditions, thyroid issues, severe infection.
– Treatment: Address underlying conditions, increase electrolyte intake, consume small frequent meals. (*Ref: Vaitkevicius et al., The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2000*)
3. Severe Hypotension (<80/<50 mm Hg):
– Symptoms: Shock, confusion, cold or clammy skin.
– Causes: Severe blood loss, septicemia, heart failure.
– Treatment: Immediate medical intervention required. Long-term functional approaches include adrenal support through adaptogens such as ashwagandha and lifestyle modifications to support circulatory health. (*Ref: Wagner et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2001*)lower than 90/60 mm Hg. Unlike hypertension, hypotension can be more variable in its impact.
Conclusion
Monitoring and managing your blood pressure is crucial for maintaining optimal health. Whether you struggle with high or low blood pressure, a functional medicine approach can offer effective treatments backed by extensive research. Always consult with healthcare professionals to tailor an approach that suits your specific needs.
**References:**
1. Sacks, F. M., Svetkey, L. P., Vollmer, W. M., et al. (2001). “Effects on Blood Pressure of Reduced Dietary Sodium and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet.” *The New England Journal of Medicine*, 344(1), 3-10.
2. Rosenfeldt, F. L., Haas, S. J., Krum, H., et al. (2007). “Coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of hypertension: a meta-analysis of the clinical trials.” *Journal of Human Hypertension*, 21(4), 297-306.
3. James, P. A., Oparil, S., Carter, B. L., et al. (2014). “2014 Evidence-Based Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults.” *JAMA*, 311(5), 507-520.
4. Vaitkevicius, P. V., Esserwein, D. M., Seals, D. R. (2000). “Influence of Age on Arterial Baroreflex Sensitivity in Healthy Adult Humans.” *The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*, 71(2), 647-652.
5. Wagner, H., Nörr