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04Jan 2023 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Managing Stress and High Blood Pressure: How Prioritizing Your Values Can Help

Managing Stress and High Blood Pressure: How Prioritizing Your Values Can Help

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by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, DNP, FNP, MPH- Have you ever had your blood pressure increase unexpectedly although you are taking the same medications, eating the same foods, and doing the same exercises? You might not feel stressed and you are not sure what’s going on with your blood pressure. If this is happening to you, you might not be effectively managing your stress levels. Today I want to talk about the relationship between stress management and high blood pressure, and how some key strategies might potentially be useful for someone with hypertension. So let’s get to it. Hypertension High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. However, it can be managed through lifestyle changes, medication, or a combination…
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22Dec 2022 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Comparing Blood Pressure Measurements and Their Effect On Treatment

Comparing Blood Pressure Measurements and Their Effect On Treatment

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by Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, DNP, FNP, MPH- Have you ever wondered if the way your blood pressure is measured could affect your diagnosis and treatment for hypertension? In this podcast episode, we will explore the differences between automated, attended, and ambulatory blood pressure measurements and how these differences may impact the treatment of hypertension. You probably know by known that High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. In order to accurately diagnose and treat hypertension, it's important to have accurate blood pressure readings. But what you might not know is there are several ways to measure blood pressure besides the usual office measurement and home measurement. So, let’s unpack the definitions of these blood pressure methods. Automated…
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20Dec 2022 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Headaches and Hypertension

Headaches and Hypertension

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by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, DNP, FNP, MPH- When you have a headache, the first thing you might think is that your blood pressure is elevated. Actually, research has shown that severe blood pressure (sbp>179, or dbp> 120) is likely the culprit of a headache, not mild elevations. What Causes Headaches There are primary and secondary headaches, and the majority of headaches are primary only 1% are secondary. Primary headaches are usually caused by a combination of lifestyle triggers, genetics, and developmental or environmental risk factors. However, secondary headaches are caused by something else: intracranial pressure or bleeding, inflammation in the brain or spinal cord, inflammation of the lining of your arteries in your head, tumor, or other things. Common Headaches The most common types of headaches are migraines, clusters, or…
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20Dec 2022 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Paul Offit’s Questions About the COVID Booster

Paul Offit’s Questions About the COVID Booster

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by Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, DNP, FNP, MPH Paul Offit's Questions About the COVID Booster. As Flu, RSV, and COVID continue to rise in the United States and elsewhere, you might be considering getting the vaccines. Of course, there is a vaccine for FLU and COVID and there is a COVID booster readily available. However, to date, there is no RSV vaccine available. Surprisingly enough, research has shown that a well-fitting mask such as an N95 would decrease your chances of becoming infected with any of these viruses. Yet, many, including the high-risk groups, are not wearing masks unless it is mandated, go figure. If you don't mind getting sick, take your chances and don't wear a mask. As we all know by now, vaccines do not prevent infection but…
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12Sep 2022 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Hypertension: World’s Leading Risk Factor

Hypertension: World’s Leading Risk Factor

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by Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, DNP, FNP, MPH-Hypertension: World's Leading Risk Factor Who would've ever thought that hypertension would be the world's leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke? Worst than diabetes? No, say it's not so, but it is. The good news is that hypertension is usually easily detected. All you need is a validated home blood pressure monitor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR2g48xld4M
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27Jul 2022 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
You Might Be A Hypertension Resistor If….

You Might Be A Hypertension Resistor If….

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Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, DNP, FNP, MPH-You Might Be A Hypertension Resistor If.... There has been some confusion about the title of this blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. Therefore, I wanted to set the record straight as we approach 10, 000 podcast listeners, up to 500 blog readers a day, and over 350 YouTube subscribers. If you are not sure if you are a hypertension resistor or not, I thought I might help you find out. Here are the qualifications for being a Hypertension Resistor: 1) If you have a validated blood pressure monitor for home and monitor your blood pressure routinely and share readings with your health care provider then you might be a Hypertension Resistor. 2) If you've ever gone to your drug store for over the counted…
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26Jul 2022 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Refusing Hypertension Pills? Read This

Refusing Hypertension Pills? Read This

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Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, DNP, FNP, MPH- Research has shown for years that even a tiny improvement in taking blood pressure medications as prescribed can lead to low blood pressure to keep you from a heart attack, stroke, etc. In 2003, the World Health Organization declared inadequate medication adherence as the most important modifiable thing you could do to manage hypertension and other chronic diseases. By 2016, they Lancet Commission on Hypertension had a call to action and a life-course strategy to target the global burden of high blood pressure on current and future generations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXE3SO05hxw However, many people with hypertension do not want to take blood pressure medication, which has been labeled as medication non-adherence. Others like me, over 50 and do not have hypertension, will do what it…
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