1 in 5 Albertans Have Hypertension, Do You?

High blood pressure or hypertension always makes me think about the movie poster for JAWS. Something lurking under the water, unknown to the person swimming on the surface. Because high blood pressure often does not produce any symptoms, unless it is very high, it can go unnoticed and untreated for years. This little gremlin slowly degrades the health of our heart, blood vessels, and kidneys - explaining why hypertension is the leading cause of stroke, and a major risk factor for heart and kidney disease. Are you feeling worried?

Now, what if I told you that 90% of Canadians will develop high blood pressure, and currently nearly 1 in 5 adult Albertans have high blood pressure. Did your blood pressure just spike a little? 

Before you say “I feel fine,” keep in mind that 17% of Canadian adults are unaware that they have high blood pressure! Are you feeling the urge to take action? Good, me too!

To diagnose high blood pressure you need to first have your blood pressure checked, which Hypertension Canada recommends doctors regularly check blood pressure. 

If you plan on checking your blood pressure at home check out the Home Blood Pressure Devices at Hypertension Canada so that you can get an accurate measure. When measured at home, blood pressure above 135 mmHg systolic or 85 mmHg diastolic pressure is considered high. For those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease high blood pressure is defined as a blood pressure over 130 mmHg systolic or over 80 mmHg diastolic.

Download a blood pressure log to keep record and bring to your next doctor’s appointment.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure the next question is treatment to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. 

Regardless of how minimal or severe your blood pressure, Healthy Behaviors remain the cornerstone for treatment, as well as prevention. This includes healthy eating, routine physical activity, weight reduction, stop smoking, limited alcohol intake, and relaxation techniques. 

These behaviors are not that effective, are they? Well, if we look specifically at diet, about one in three Canadians who have hypertension would have normal blood pressure if they consumed less sodium in their diets. AMAZING!  Unfortunately only about 51% of Canadians with high blood pressure are attempting to follow appropriate lifestyle recommendations. 

Healthy Behaviors not only help to prevent and lower high blood pressure, they can build a lifelong foundation for a stronger heart. It is estimated that almost 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through healthy behaviors. If you have questions about adding or enhancing existing healthy behaviors to your daily routine I can help. 

I focus on the treatment of high blood pressure using diet, physical activity, healthy weight loss, stress modification and biofeedback, and counseling to help stop alcohol and tobacco misuse. 

If you have questions about how Keto, DASH, Mediterranean, and plant-based diets can help lower your blood pressure, schedule a free 15 minute consultation to discover how functional medicine can help you build a stronger heart.