Blood pressure and Chiropractic.

By Measuring Blood Pressure You May Prevent Serious Health Events

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure your blood vessels use when the heart pumps blood through your body. You need this pressure to move the blood to all of your arteries and capillaries to carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. (Watch a video to learn more)

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

If you suffer from hypertension, you can be at risk of more than heart disease. First, you should know that hypertension often occurs without any symptoms. Uncontrolled high blood pressure may lead to is damaged cells in your arteries inner lining. When these arteries are damaged, fat from your diet can stick to the artery lining and build up. Eventually this would block the flow of blood and in some circumstance prove fatal!

Along with risking damage to your arteries, hypertension could cause a lot of damage to the heart.  The heart has to work over time and this leads to an enlarged heart or even heart failure! However, it’s not just your arteries and heart in danger when you have high blood pressure. Just like the heart, the brain also needs a nourishing blood supply to function correctly, without it dementia, stroke and even mild cognitive impairment can occur.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

Low blood pressure can effect anyone. It largely depends on age and lifestyle factors. Common causes of low blood pressure can be from pregnancy, heart problems, thyroid conditions and dehydration or a nutrient lacking diet. More serious causes are from blood loss, severe infection or severe allergic reaction. Low blood pressure can be dangerous a sudden drop in blood pressure can cause dizziness and fainting which can be damaging if you get an injury when you fall. But more damaging is the effect on  your brain and heart when they are deprived of oxygen from a slower heart rate.

What Can You Do?

Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level relies a lot on your lifestyle. Exercise is an effective way to control blood pressure as it stimulates your body to release nitric acid which causes blood vessels to open up. Exercise also strengthens your heart, reduces stress and helps with weight loss. Healthy eating can also lower your risk of high or low blood pressure. Sticking to whole foods, reducing red meat and salt intake can help to balance your blood pressure. Avoid smoking and alcohol as well, both of these raise your blood pressure, not to mention the damaging effects they have on your other organs and functions of the body.

Adjustments May Help Regulate Blood Pressure

Chiropractic And Blood Pressure

Regular Chiropractic care may help keep your blood pressure in check. Chiropractic focuses on correcting subluxations in the spine which cause stress to the nervous system. Studies have shown positive effects after chiropractic adjustments with patients that suffer from hypertension. Our nerves regulate the pressure of blood flow and when people are subluxated (have misalignment in the spine) this creates pressure on the nerves which can drastically effect the ability of heart function and blood flow.