High blood pressure is condition where the blood flows through the arteries or blood vessels at a rate that is higher than what is considered normal pressures. Common causes of having a high blood pressure include stress, smoking, being obese or overweight, eating too much salt, consuming too much alcohol, lack of physical activity, old age, family history or genetics, sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and essential hypertension.

Diagnosing High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure diagnosis is done by using a sphygmomanometer. It is a device that is commonly called a blood pressure cuff. It is used by health care professional to check your blood pressure at least once every two years.

The process is very easy and painless. It involves wrapping the rubber cuff around your upper arm. Then it is pump up. The health care professional waits for the time he can release the air in the cuff. At the moment he released it, he can listen with a stethoscope. He should watch the watch the sphygmomanometer gauge so that he can determine systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. The former is the pressure when the first sound of pulsing blood can be heard and the latter is the pressure when the last sound can be heard.

Every two years is the minimum requirement to check your blood pressure but if you are already have a high blood pressure, you should return once a month for follow-up and adjustment of medications. You should continue doing this until your blood pressure will be normal.

Because technology, you can even check your blood pressure at your home. Devices for home blood pressure monitoring are available at most pharmacies. But you should consult your health care professionals so that they can check if that device gives you the proper reading. It is more comfortable and inexpensive to use this device than to go to your health care professionals.

On the other side, the advantages when you so to your health care professional, he can add a physical examination that includes checking your retinas, abdomen, lungs and heart, feet, ankles and other parts of your body.

It is in the preference of the patient whether or not he will make his blood pressure diagnosis at home or at the health care professional’ office. What is important is you acquire the proper reading and prevent this illness.

Cure and Prevention

Since the causes of high blood pressure are well known and observable, it is also easy to understand how this condition can be treated and prevented in the future. Below are some ways on how to control high blood pressure:

Loss excess weight. This includes eating a well-balanced diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, and engaging in exercises and physical activities.

Avoid unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking, alcohol consumption, as well as easting too much salty food like junk and fast foods.

Reduce stress. Constant worrying and too much tension can increase blood pressure. The best thing to do then is to frequently take a break from stressful and busy situations, relax, and have fun.

The Role of Chiropractic Care in Lowering Blood Pressure

The basic philosophy of chiropractic care says that the body naturally seeks proper balance in order for all the systems and parts to function well together. Additionally, it believes that proper function of all body parts can be achieved with proper structure. If a particular structure is impaired or stressed, then the function may be greatly affected.

Having high blood pressure means there is no proper balance among certain parts of the body, particularly the circulatory system. Thus, theoretically, chiropractic care can be used to improve this condition. To prove this, a study was conducted at The University of Chicago Hypertension Center involving two patients with high blood pressure who underwent chiropractic adjustments. Results showed that their blood pressure was reduced similar to taking two blood-pressure medications.

In another study, all 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure had considerably lower blood pressure after undergoing chiropractic adjustments. These results only prove that chiropractic care indeed plays a vital role in lowering blood pressure.