Hypertension

What is it?

• Hypertension or high blood pressure is defined as a blood pressure higher than 140/90. 

How Is It treated

• First line treatment is always lifestyle modifications because of the absence of any side effects. These modifications include:

  1. A low sodium whole food plant based diet

  2. Adequate hydration

  3. Incorporating movement/exercise into your daily routine

  4. Stopping (or at least greatly reducing) the use of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, drugs and other medications that can increase blood pressure.

  5. Practicing stress management techniques such as meditation, sleep hygiene, breathing exercises, and working to foster healthy relationships with friends, family, and work.

• Second line treatment incudes pharmaceutical medications. Some things to know are:

  1. There are a WIDE variety of different medications with different side effect profiles

  2. Contrary to what many people are told by their doctors, you DO NOT have to be on these medications for life

  3. If you are on more than one medication or you are having side effects, then we can work together to find a different regimen that is custom tailored to your body.