Are You At Risk Of High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, often unnoticed, is a silent disease that can have severe consequences such as heart disease and strokes. Functional medicine provides a new perspective on reversing and preventing the condition entirely.
Take charge of your health with our comprehensive questionnaire or book a free consultation to assess your risks and explore how functional medicine can help reverse and prevent this condition.
Here Is A Guide To Hypertension And Your Treatment
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is where the force exerted by the blood against the artery walls of the cardiovascular system is high. Blood pressure is written in 2 numbers, the first (systolic) number represents the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart rests between beats. Normal blood pressure readings are around 120 mm/Hg 80 mm/Hg , represented as 120/80.
The diagnosis of High blood pressure, starts when the systolic reading is above 130 mm/Hg and the diastolic reading ranges from 80-89 mm/Hg. There are various stages, with stage 2 hypertension of 140 or higher mm/Hg and 90 or higher mm/Hg. Measuring blood pressure can be done at home using blood pressure monitoring kits or in clinic.
This will lead to:
There are TWO TYPES of hypertension. Primary or Essential hypertension which is the most common type, for which there is no known causes in conventional medicine. Secondary Hypertension is caused by another medical condition or by medications
What Causes Hypertension?
In conventional thinking, essential hypertension has no known cause and is treated with medications. However, when taking a functional medicine approach we can see some clinical research indicating the triggers. They include the following:
- High fasting glucose (<100mg/dl)
- High fasting insulin (above 9 mIU/ml)
- Auto-immune conditions (SLE, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
- Mercury cadmium, lead toxicity
- Potassium, Magnesium, vitamin D3, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Zinc deficiencies
- Elevated cortisol (high stress) hormone
- Peridontal and tooth infections
- Atherosclerosis and plaque build up.
- Abdominal obesity
- Lifestyle: Alcohol consumption
- Drug induced Hypertension: inc. NSAIDs, steroids, immunosuppressants, angiogenesis-inhibitors, birth control pills, diet/ energy pills, cylcosporin, MAO inhibitors.
How can Functional Medicine Help?
The objective of all patients is to get better, feel happier and healthier. The question is would patients like their disease ‘managed’ with medications which stabilises their condition, with risks associated with further progression, or would patients like to reverse their condition.
High Blood pressure is the second most significant risk factor to heart disease and strokes after smoking. Most people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it, so having your blood pressure measured frequently is the first step. High blood pressure has multiple triggers which is evaluated with a functional medicine approach. We investigate metabolic health, nutrient deficiencies, toxicities, stress levels, immune function, heart health and body composition.
Dietary Strategies for Hypertension
The ketogenic diet is an eating plan that involves consuming high amounts of healthy fats, low levels of carbohydrates, and adequate protein. It has shown promise in managing cardio-metabolic diseases such as hypertension, heart failure and strokes.
Your journey toward better health begins now
- A free 15-min initial assessment conducted by one of our functional medicine doctors or practitioners.
- Review health condition, current symptoms, lifestyle practices to determine if we can provide assistance.
- We also offer a comprehensive 60-minute session ($1500 HKD) that delves into your full-health history, current symptoms, lifestyle practices, medication and laboratory reports.
- The 60-minute session will include a customised diet and supplement plan, and depending on your condition we’ll optimise your hormones, improve your gut function, detox your body gently and give you specific life hacks to play with to feel great.
Life Changing Programs
Like any new experience or venture, you need guidance, you need that little reminder or encouragement that you’re doing the right thing. We have different packages according to your time commitments and availability. Our coaching packages are for 1, 3, or 6 months and are set up to provide continuous support where needed by our functional medicine coaches supported by our Doctors and practitioners.
Metabolic & Annual Testing Packages
How’s your metabolism? Get tested and find out, with either our core or comprehensive packages. (For Hong Kong residents only). For international inquiries, check-in with us and we can advise what best panel tests to ask your local doctor to check for.
