Although it may not be a component of conversation between strangers, or constitute a discussion thread among friends, the topic of blood pressure is not uncommon today. People discuss the highs and lows of blood pressure in any number of contexts, from great dinner recipes to weekend activities, from the need for its monitoring to concern about medication.
What are the Facts?
Hypertension, or consistently high blood pressure, can kill you.
Measuring the force of blood as it passes through the body’s arteries is what gives medical professionals a blood pressure reading. The two numbers in a blood pressure “score” indicate the pressure during a heartbeat (systolic) and between beats (diastolic). The numbers vary throughout the day, and can rise because of stress, excitement, anxiety or exercise. Blood pressure can be influenced by factors such as food, illnesses and trauma. Consistently high blood pressure contributes to risk of stroke, heart attack and heart failure, causes other problems with vision, kidney function, circulation, and bone weakness. It may also be a culprit in dementia and erectile dysfunction.
Low blood pressure, on the other hand, in the absence of other symptoms, is not necessarily unhealthy. Recurrent dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, nausea, blurry vision, loss of concentration and persistent fatigue are all symptoms of hypothermia, or abnormally low blood pressure, and can indicate another underlying condition. Rapid, shallow breathing and cold, clammy skin, other signs of low pressure, may point to decreased blood flow to vital organs which in turn can spell increased risk of stroke or heart problems.
A rapid decrease in pressure indicates shock, and is more worrisome than chronic low readings.
Your primary care physician can tell you more about your blood pressure; and may recommend home monitoring to track fluctuations.
Our caring professionals at Premier Family Chiropractic will also be happy to talk with you about methods to control blood pressure without medication, including massage, diet and nutrition changes, and stress reduction techniques. Why not call us for a consultation? Our goal is to foster wellness with non-invasive, natural treatment.
