Approximately 70 million Americans (1/3rd of the population) have high blood pressure otherwise known as hypertension. Also, 1 in 3 Americans suffers from prehypertension, which is defined as higher than normal blood pressure. 1 in 5 Americans do not know they are suffering from this condition, but chiropractic offers a drug-free application to treating high blood pressure.
More Regarding Hypertension
Every time the heart beats, it pumps blood into all of the arteries of the human body. Blood pressure is defined as the sheer force of the blood as it pushes against the walls of the arteries. The top number of your blood pressure is called systolic, meaning the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Diastolic is the bottom number which is the measuring the pressure in the arteries between beats.
Normal blood pressure measurements are 120/80, in comparison to lower, prehypertension levels around 120-139/80-89. Hypertension stage 1 is defined with blood pressure levels at 140-159/90-99, comparatively hypertension stage 2 is around 160/100 or higher, and finally, hypertension crisis where emergency care is critical is at approximately 180/110 or higher.
Hypertension Risks
This is a common ailment that is more dangerous and life-threatening than people may realize. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists high blood pressure as the primary cause of more than 360,000 American deaths in 2013.
Comparatively, the CDC also reports there are many other dangerous risks while having high blood pressure:
1st heart attack: 70 percent of adults who have had their 1st heart attack have high blood pressure
1st stroke: 80 percent of adults who have had their 1st stroke have high blood pressure
Chronic heart failure: 70 percent of adults with heart failure have high blood pressure
Kidney failure: High blood pressure is the 2nd leading cause of kidney failure
Treatment of Hypertension
Thankfully high blood pressure is easy to diagnosis, and there are several treatment methods. Occasionally doctors prescribe medications to alleviate hypertension. However, blood pressure frequently can be decreased using natural, non-pharmaceutical methods. Also, lifestyle changes play a huge role in aiding high blood pressure. For example, losing weight, frequently exercising, eating healthy, limiting sodium intake, consuming less alcohol, eliminating smoking, decreasing caffeine intake, and managing stress all contribute substantially to healthy blood pressure levels.
Chiropractic Adjustments for Hypertension
In March 20015, the Journal of Human Hypertension promoted a study that showed a remarkable decrease in blood pressure after a chiropractic adjustment to the Atlas vertebra. This study was composed of 50 individuals with high blood pressure. Most significantly, improvement in blood pressure levels continued into the 8th week following the chiropractic visit.
Call today at (404) 889-8826 to make an appointment with our Snellville Chiropractors to help resolve your high blood pressure!