Learning About Hypertension
By Stephen R. Farris
It's normal when you visit your doctor to get your blood pressure checked. It's usually one of the first things the nurse does before the doctor has a chance to see you. Normal blood pressure range is 120/80, but anything in-between that number and 140/90 might be a sign you're in the early stages of pre-hypertension. Above that, well, you've most likely landed in the hypertension category and it may be time to start discussing what can be done to lower it with your doctor. In fact, you probably should have done this during the pre-hypertension range.
So what is hypertension? Good question. Think of it like this, for example. Take the fuel line that runs from your gas tank to the engine of your automobile. Every time you put gas in the tank, there's always a little debris that gets in. Over time, that debris can begin to clog the line, causing the engine to receive a little less gas. When the line becomes too clogged, hardly any gas gets through and eventually, the engine will not start.
When this happens, it's time to spend a lot of money with your mechanic to fix the problem. So there you have it. Clogged line equals major problem. Same thing can happen in our bodies and that's one thing we certainly don't want a scenario like this to happen with our hearts.
What Causes Hypertension Exactly?
A lot of it has to do with the type of lifestyle we live, or it could be medical conditions we have. For example:
Loneliness - As humans, we require a certain amount of contact from other humans. When we don't, we may become depressed and may develop anxiety.
Thyroid imbalance - The thyroid gland has a lot of responsibility, especially when it comes to our metabolism. When it becomes less active, your heart rate can slow. You can lose elasticity and your arteries can begin to harden.
Low potassium levels - Sodium and potassium at normal levels are great for our kidneys, so they can function as they should. Too much of one and not enough of the other can lead to kidney problems and contribute to high blood pressure.
These are just a few things about hypertension. If you want to learn more, talk with your doctor or local chiropractor like the ones that can be found at The Joint Chiropractic. The Joint Chiropractic has over 500 nationwide locations, and no appointment is necessary.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Layton, Utah.