Matthew Burrell N.D.
Naturopath and Neuromuscular Therapist
Has your blood pressure (BP) been increasing with time? Or have you been told that you have high BP? Do you know what’s healthy for you?
In Australia, twice as many men experience heart attacks compared to females (The Heart Foundation). It’s time for us to change this by better prioritising our health.
First, let me explain what is BP is. BP is the force of blood against the walls of our arteries. When this force rises it can indicate reduced elasticity and increase injury to the highways that transport blood, nutrients, waste and oxygen around the body. Regular monitoring allows us to assess cardiovascular health, identify potential issues early on, and make informed lifestyle choices to improve our overall health.
Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers:
- Systolic pressure (the higher number): the pressure on the artery wall during a heartbeat.
- Diastolic pressure (the lower number): the pressure between beats.
A healthy BP reading typically hovers around 120/80 mmHg. However, individual variations exist, so it’s helpful to establish a baseline with your healthcare provider. High BP (hypertension) is a concern when readings consistently exceed 140/90 mmHg. Consistently high BP can increase risk of heart disease and stroke. On the other hand, low BP (hypotension) can cause dizziness and fainting. If you don’t have access to BP testing, key indicators of high BP include: persistent headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and chest pain.
How can Naturopathy support a reduction in high BP?
- Nutritional coaching: consume a balanced diet packed with colourful fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, legumes and lean protein (chicken and fish),
- Exercise advice: prioritise regular exercise to strengthen the cardiac muscle and to maintain (or move towards) a healthy weight.
- Support a reduction in toxic load: limit alcohol consumption and stop smoking.
- Improve stress coping: ensure appropriate rest, meditation, mindfulness and breathing exercises.
As a Naturopath, I’m passionate about providing individualised treatment that focuses on both relief care and corrective strategies to support improved health for years to come.
I look forward to helping you,
Matt
