The 5 Keys to Perfect Health

Key Number 2: Perfect Blood Pressure

It’s a well-known fact that high blood pressure spells trouble for your health, as evidenced by the dozens of blood pressure lowering drugs on the market today. Chronic hypertension is an indicator for shortened life expectancy as well as being a risk factor for stroke, heart attack and aneurysm. A more insidious problem that receives much less attention is chronically low blood pressure, which is also referred to as chronic hypotension. Hypotension is defined as blood pressure under 90/60 mmHg, but is rarely treated unless the patient is symptomatic.

The cardinal symptoms of low blood pressure are fatigue, lightheadedness and dizziness. Most patients only have brief spells of this, which typically does not give cause for most to seek medical attention. Although the symptoms usually only last for brief episodes, this indicates that the individual may be suffering from chronic hypotension.

Unfortunately, most patients and their doctors don’t have an appreciation of how serious a problem this really is.

All of the tissues in your body need oxygen and glucose to survive. Healthy blood pressure ensures adequate perfusion of blood to the tissues, so glucose and oxygen can be delivered. For the purposes of ensuring adequate delivery of blood to the tissues, a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg is optimal for most people. Anyone having hypotension symptoms is not getting enough blood to their brain. If this continues over time, accelerated brain aging will occur and they will be at increased risk for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Individuals with chronically low blood pressure also have higher rates of chronic infection and autoimmune disease. This is because blood carries all of the substances needed to fight an infection and to regulate an autoimmune response. If the blood cannot make it to the tissues under attack, it can do nothing to keep these things in check.

Fortunately, raising blood pressure can be quite easy and some simple tests can get to the root cause of the problem. Blood pressure is something that needs to be just right; not too high and not too low. Make sure you are having your blood pressure checked regularly to ensure that your brain and the rest of your body are getting the oxygen and the blood they need for optimal function.

Copyright © 2010. Dr. Lindy Vaughn, DC, Integrated Health Systems. All rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, learn more ways to take control and become proactive in your health. Go to IntegratedHealthDenver.com for more information or call our office at 303-781-5617.