Chiropractic for Lowering Blood Pressure
One-third of the adult population, around 70 million Americans, have high blood pressure (hypertension). In addition, 1 in 3 Americans has pre-hypertension, which means higher than normal blood pressure numbers. Even more alarming: 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure do not know they have it, because typically there are no associated symptoms.
Chiropractic offers a drug-free approach to treating high blood pressure.
UNDERSTANDING BLOOD PRESSURE & HYPERTENSION
Each time the heart beats, it's pumping blood into the arteries of the body. Blood pressure is the force of the blood as it pushes against the walls of the arteries. The two numbers in a blood pressure reading are systolic, the top number that measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic, which is the bottom number measuring the pressure in the arteries between beats.
Normal levels are 120/80 and lower, pre-hypertension levels are 120-139/80-89, hypertension stage 1 is 140-159/90-99, hypertension stage 2 is 160/100 or higher, and hypertension crisis (emergency care needed) is 180/110 or higher.
THE RISKS OF HYPERTENSION
This common condition is more dangerous and fatal than many people realize. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists high blood pressure as the primary or contributing cause of more than 360,000 American deaths each year. That's nearly 1,000 deaths each day.
The CDC also states that with high blood pressure, there's a great risk of other dangerous conditions:
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First heart attack: 70 percent of adults who have a first heart attack have high blood pressure
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First stroke: 80 percent of adults who have their first stroke have high blood pressure
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Chronic heart failure: 70 percent of adults with chronic heart failure have high blood pressure
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Kidney failure: High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure
TREATMENT FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Fortunately, high blood pressure is simple to diagnosis and there are many methods of treatment. Regularly, doctors prescribe medication to control hypertension, but blood pressure often can be lowered using natural, non-pharmaceutical methods. Lifestyle changes play a big role in blood pressure; losing weight, exercising regularly, eating well, reducing excess sodium, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, cutting back on caffeine and reducing stress all positively contribute to a healthy blood pressure levels.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Chiropractic adjustments can provide significant decrease in blood pressure. Generally, the procedure calls for an adjustment of the Atlas vertebra because it holds up the head. At the base of the brain is our brainstem. When the Atlas vertebra is subluxated (misaligned) as little as a half a millimeter, it can create abnormal pressure on the brainstem, which has many important functions including control of our cardiovascular system.
If you would like a consultation at Lueken Chiropractic & Wellness Group to help you lower your blood pressure, please call our team today.