High Blood Pressure

Does your blood pressure remain consistently elevated? Have you tried all means to lower your blood pressure but have not been able to get relief? Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), the all-natural alternative, may be the answer for you.

Studies have shown:

• Among patients affected by cardiovascular disorders, osteopathic treatment is significantly associated to an improvement in systolic blood pressure after one year
• Vascular supply to the leg can be affected positively by OMT

High blood pressure, also known as Hypertension, is one of the most prevalent diseases throughout the world. It is considered as one of the major causes for development of cardiovascular diseases.

Blood pressure is the measurement of the force of blood flow against the walls of the arteries.

• The normal BP is 120/80 mmHg (120 denotes systolic blood pressure and 80 denotes diastolic blood pressure)
• If BP is more than 120/80 mmHg, but below 140/90 mmHg, then that condition is called pre-hypertension
• If BP is more than 140/90 mmHg, then that condition is considered hypertension

Causes

Common causes of high blood pressure are high intake of sodium (>1500mg/day), smoking, obesity, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, adrenal and thyroid gland problems, chronic kidney disease, pregnancy, older age and stress. Having a significant family history of high blood pressure makes you more prone to developing the same condition but it does not mean you will.

Symptoms

In general, hypertensive patients may not have any symptoms, which is why it is often referred to as the “silent killer.” However, some patients might complain of severe headache, nausea or vomiting, confusion or changes in vision.

Diagnosis

High blood pressure is diagnosed by measuring the persistent elevation of blood pressure.  

Treatment

Treatment of high blood pressure includes:

• Life style modifications
  • Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Reduce salt intake
  • Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and with low fat
  • Maintain normal body weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Manage stress:  One way to manage stress is to take deep breaths and to meditate.  You are always breathing, everywhere you go and during everything you do.  Whenever you become conscious of your breathing, you can slow your breathing and take deeper breaths.    
• Medications: Your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce blood pressure, for which there are different drugs available. Your physician will prescribe either a single drug or a combination of two or more drugs.
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) may be included in the treatment plan for controlling and decreasing blood pressure.

Click here for a resource to Meditation and Mindfulness.

For a list of articles supporting OMT, please click here.