Can Your Gut Flora Cause Hypertension?

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Your Gut Flora and Hypertension As you probably know, there is no known cause for hypertension seen in about 95% of people with hypertension. However, recent research animal model and clinical studies have shown that your gut could be regulating your blood pressure. For example, there was a very interesting epic research study presented at the 2015 American Heart Association Scientific Conference. Researchers had found that our microbome influence hypertension by communicating with us through metabolites. For example, short chain fatty acids are a type of metabolite that is secreted from the gut, causing inflammation and hypertension. We all are made up of ABOUT 10 TRILLION CELLS AND trillions of GOOD bacteria on our skin and everywhere in our bodies. Much of this good bacteria help us extract nutrients from…
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Lower Your Resistant Hypertension With Some Head Space

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You can really lower your blood pressure with some Headspace. I know you have heard this before, and I am sure you have tried meditation before. I did too, and just could not stick with it consistently UNTIL I learned a basic principal about meditation. That is, don't try to stop your thoughts during meditation. See the video below to see what I mean.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyj8l9miy4w Meditation is a great way to lower blood pressure. Breathing exercises 2 to 3 times a day could help bring your blood pressure down. Don't just take my word for it, breathe slowly and deeply right now for just the next 30 seconds. Then, you will experience just a tiny bit of what you will get if you meditate 3 minutes a day. With this…
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How To Get Your Blood Pressure Down Within A Few Minutes?

How To Get Your Blood Pressure Down Within A Few Minutes?

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Problem Blood Pressure  Greater Than 130/85 mm Hg But Lower Than 160/100 mm Hg Sometimes you just need to get your blood pressure down now! How can you do it? I know you have probably seen the YOUTUBE videos with this claim such as the one below by the website "Healthy Me." You can't help but be skeptical because it is so simple. Breathing? Just breathing in a certain way could help bring blood pressure down? Are you kidding me? Nope...I have seen various breathing techniques to bring blood pressure down gradually withing minutes. Dr. Andrew Weil wrote a book about the technique he highly recommends. See this link for that information: https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/stress-anxiety/breathing-three-exercises/ Try This Solution Several of the techniques really work to bring blood pressure down because they involve…
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How to Control Your Blood Pressure in 6 Weeks Without Diet and Exercise!

How to Control Your Blood Pressure in 6 Weeks Without Diet and Exercise!

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Who would recommend controlling your blood pressure without diet and exercise? I am, only IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STICK TO LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS. Because I have seen blood pressure controlled even without diet and exercise many times. In the video below, Dr. Gregor discussed how a plant base diet can get your blood pressure down to as low as 120/70 mm Hg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1rIyhuJRzU Let's face it, we just want a pill for everything, right? Now, you can have it! The recent resistant hypertension guidelines estimate 14.8 % of Americans have resistant hypertension. Yet, there are lifestyle modifications you can do today to lower your blood pressure. What You Probably Already Know Most people ALREADY KNOW that they should do the following lifestyle modifications in order to lower their…
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5 Tips To Get Better Blood Pressure Control In 6 Weeks!

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Everyone wants better blood pressure control. However, when you are just getting started with taking control of your blood pressure, it can be a challenge to know what to do. The key, is to remember that you do not have to do this by yourself. It is okay to reach out for help. Your health care provider, family, and friends can help you. Uncontrolled Blood Pressure No matter if you have hypertension, resistant hypertension, or refractory hypertension, you need your blood pressure controlled. If your blood pressure is uncontrolled on your current blood pressure medications, call your health care provider's office during business hours and talk with their nurse for guidance. The best kept secret is that you can call your health care provider's office after hours. There is usually…
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Apparent Resistant Hypertension: What You Need to Know

Apparent Resistant Hypertension: What You Need to Know

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So, your hypertension is being treated with several blood pressure medications, BUT your blood pressure is STILL not controlled. Why? You might have apparent resistant hypertension. What is this all about? Apparent resistant hypertension should be ruled out in order to treat resistant hypertension aggressively as soon as possible for the best possible result. Here, I will define hypertension, resistant hypertension, refractory hypertension, and apparent resistant hypertension. Then, I will give two brief scenarios that might sound confusing. But, I will try to emphasize that it is VERY important for you to reveal three things to your health care provider: 1) Your true blood pressure measurement because high blood pressure may be due to inaccurate blood pressure measurements FROM poor technique 2) The EXACT medication you are taking, especially if…
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Resistant Hypertension: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Resistant Hypertension: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

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Resistant Hypertension (Difficult To Treat Hypertension) Resistant hypertension is high blood pressure that is difficult to treat. Not taking medication as prescribed can cause resistant hypertension.  Old age, obesity, and co-morbities ARE the most common causes of hypertension resistant to treatment. Watch this brief video (4:08 minutes) below to learn more about resistant hypertension.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwhwh1ONLhk Who is likely to has resistant hypertension? People who are obese, older age, African American, and people who have co-morbities such as diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Resistant Hypertension Treatment Only your health care provider can diagnose resistant hypertension. Resistant hypertension must be confirmed with home blood measurements to rule out apparent resistant hypertension. To assure the diagnoses is not due to poor blood pressure measurement, white coat syndrome, or under treatment, self-refer to…
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Resistant Hypertension & ANA Testing

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Resistant Hypertension: Why Test For Lupus? I do not know much about lupus, but I do know about resistant hypertension. Nevertheless, recently I have learned that there is an association between resistant hypertension and lupus. Research findings have indicated that people with lupus are more likely to have resistant hypertension. It is important to be tested for lupus if you have resistant hypertension because treatment for lupus MIGHT BE NEEDED. What is Resistant Hypertension? Resistant Hypertension is hypertension that is resistant to treatment. In 2008, resistant hypertension was defined in the American Hypertension Association Scientific Statement. This statement was deemed the first to define resistant hypertension as difficult to treat controlled or uncontrolled hypertension. Further,  three to four medications of different classes including a water pill (diuretic) is the definition…
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Resistant Hypertension, Kidney Disease, & Vitamin D

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In my recent post about vitamin D deficiency, I briefly mentioned the role of vitamin D deficiency in resistant hypertension and chronic kidney disease. I will tell you everything you need to know including why you should consider it and the recommended dose. Vitamin D deficiency INFLUENCES the progression of hypertension to resistant hypertension and the progression of chronic kidney disease. This is because vitamin D affects the renin angiotensin aldosterome system and can decrease the production of renin. Therefore, vitamin D decreases blood pressure. Renin is an enzyme that is released by your kidneys to regulate your blood pressure. It controls your blood volume, and therefore, it controls your level of blood pressure. More on this in up coming posts. Vitamin D also decreased protein in your urine. This…
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Hypertension Support Group

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Undoubtedly, many people have found peer support to be useful in helping them improve their blood pressure. Need education and support to get your blood pressure at goal? I created the Circulation Network especially for this reason. The Circulation Network meets every first Tuesday of each month at noon. The group meets in the West Pavilion Conference Center Room C. During the meetings, people get support to obtain their goal blood pressure goal. Strategies are explored to overcome barriers to control blood pressure. Resources are also discovered to help attendees and their family members get to goal blood pressure. Who Should Attend The Circulation Network? The UAB Circulation Network is a free support group for faculty, staff and family members who have high blood pressure. Particularly, people with resistant hypertension…
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The opinions expressed are meant for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Consult your doctor or health provider for medical advice. The views expressed in this blog are my own and not those of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Veterans Affairs, or any other entity. I have an anti-spam policy and would never share your personal information. This site contains affiliate links for some products I recommend that I know are useful. If you purchase those products, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Thanks in advance for your support!
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