Sunday, December 7, 2014

Self Assessment: Blood Pressure

Have you visited the doctor lately? If so, the nurse took your blood pressure. right? If your blood pressure was out of the normal range, the doctor probable took a few seconds to tell you it was low or high and you were probably prescribed some chemical medications to offset the imbalance. The thing that's missing in this picture is what your blood pressure numbers really mean.

From a Naturopathic point of view your blood pressure and its numbers reveal a lot about your current health.

Blood pressure readings are done with three important numbers. The top number is the systolic represents how much pressure it take for your heart to pump the blood through your arteries. The bottom number, the diastolic represents how much pressure is present when the heart is at rest. The pulse indicates if the organs are receiving enough blood pressure flow for their full function.

The high and low conclusions that most allopathic doctors give in blood pressure reading is very vague and uninformative. If you were to visit a Naturopath you would receive a blood pressure screening that involves an explanation of what the combination of numbers mean in terms of the conditions of your organs, biochemistry, disease tendencies and affects of any pH imbalances.

For example, a blood pressure of 145/95 with a pulse of 65 would be an indication of an acid imbalance, electrolyte imbalance, cardiovascular stress and kidney stress. Blood pressure is not just about acquiring the imbalance and rapidly progressing through the chain of chemical medications until the organs fail. Blood pressure is a part of the body's alarm system to make you aware that the body may be working too hard to maintain its homeostasis and needs to be "reset".

Naturopaths have the means to take their time with clients and explain findings in a way that provides personalized care. Visit your local Naturopath today if you know you have questions about your blood pressure or if you need to hit that reset button!

- Dr. Akua Gray, ND
      December 7, 2014  
Houston, TX           
   www.drakuagray.com



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