Advancing The Standards Of Chiropractic
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High Blood Pressure
Understanding Hypertension
The American Heart Association defines high blood pressure, or hypertension, in an adult as a systolic pressure of 140 or higher and/or a diastolic pressure of 90 or higher.
Nearly one in three adults in the United States suffers from high blood pressure and over 50,000 people die each year as a result of this condition.
What Are The Causes of Hypertension?
Hypertension can be influenced by various factors, including:
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Genetics: Family history plays a significant role. Individuals with a family history of hypertension are more likely to develop it themselves.
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Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy lifestyle choices such as poor diet (high in sodium and low in potassium), lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco use can contribute to hypertension.
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Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of hypertension, as it puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels.
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Age: Hypertension becomes more common as people age. This is often due to stiffening of the arteries and the natural aging process.
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Chronic Conditions: Certain medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea can increase the risk of hypertension.
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Stress: Chronic stress or high levels of stress hormones can lead to elevated blood pressure over time.
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Medications: Some medications, including certain antidepressants, oral contraceptives, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause or worsen hypertension as a side effect.
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Hormonal Factors: Hormonal imbalances, such as those occurring during pregnancy or due to conditions like hyperthyroidism or Cushing's syndrome, can contribute to hypertension.
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Dietary Factors: Consuming a diet high in processed foods, saturated fats, and sugars can contribute to hypertension, while diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help lower blood pressure.
It's often a combination of these factors rather than a single cause that contributes to hypertension.
The Brainstem and Blood Pressure
The brainstem plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure through its control over the autonomic nervous system. Specifically, the medulla oblongata, located in the brainstem, contains nuclei that are responsible for both increasing and decreasing blood pressure.
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Vasomotor Center: Within the medulla oblongata, the vasomotor center regulates blood vessel diameter (vasoconstriction and vasodilation), which directly affects blood pressure. It does this by controlling the tone of smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels throughout the body.
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Cardiac Center: Another important nucleus in the medulla is the cardiac center, which regulates heart rate and cardiac output. By influencing the rate and strength of heart contractions, the cardiac center indirectly affects blood pressure.
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Baroreceptors: These specialized sensory receptors are located in the walls of certain blood vessels, particularly in the carotid sinuses and the aortic arch. They detect changes in blood pressure and send signals to the brainstem to adjust vascular tone and heart rate accordingly, helping to maintain blood pressure within a normal range.
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Integration: The brainstem integrates signals from various sources, including baroreceptors, chemoreceptors (which detect changes in blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels), and higher brain centers, to regulate blood pressure in response to changing physiological demands.
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Overall, the brainstem serves as a crucial control center for maintaining blood pressure homeostasis, ensuring that blood flow to vital organs remains adequate under diverse conditions.
Dysfunction or damage to the brainstem can lead to abnormalities in blood pressure regulation, potentially resulting in conditions such as hypertension or hypotension.
KCSC Procedure & Hypertension
Head and neck injuries often result in misalignments in the upper spine, disrupting the natural communication between the brain and the body. This disruption can contribute to high blood pressure.
The KCSC Procedure is specifically designed to address these misalignments in the upper spine, restoring normal communication between the brain and the body.
Research conducted at the University of Chicago Hypertension Center has demonstrated that an upper cervical correction can have an impact equivalent to that of two blood pressure medications used in combination.
Many of our patients report sustained improvements in blood pressure levels, often reducing their reliance on medication over time.
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