Wade T. Smith, APRN, FNP-BC, explains what the top and bottom numbers in a blood pressure reading mean, the common causes of rising pressure, including alcohol, stress, insulin resistance and too much sodium compared to potassium, and the role of diet, medication and regular monitoring.
Video Transcript
Blood pressure has been known as the silent killer. Blood pressure readings are important. On the top, we have the working pressure, and on the bottom, we have the resting pressure.
Pressure increases in our vessels sometimes due to alcohol consumption, sometimes to stress. Sometimes it’s insulin sensitivity or resistance. Sometimes it’s because of too much sodium compared to the potassium. It’s important that we keep the sodium and the potassium in balance. We can do this by cutting our sodium intake, but we can also help by increasing potassium by eating avocados and leafy green vegetables, which helps us put this into balance.
Medications are protective. We can use medications to help reduce these numbers. There are some natural things that we can do. There is mild evidence for the support of hibiscus and hawthorn, for example, in treating blood pressure.
Many times, though, people don’t realize there’s a problem until it’s too late, when there’s a stroke or a heart attack, or kidney disease. It’s important to see your doctor to monitor your blood pressure.
