Hypertension: More Than Just a Number

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States. According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 2 adults has it — and many don’t even know.

It’s often called the “silent killer” because you can have dangerously high blood pressure for years without noticeable symptoms, yet it can quietly damage your heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) in St. Louis, we take hypertension seriously — but we also see it as an opportunity. With the right approach, it’s often possible to lower blood pressure naturally and reduce the need for medication.

What Is Hypertension?

Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It’s recorded as two numbers:

• Systolic pressure (top number): the force when your heart contracts
• Diastolic pressure (bottom number): the force when your heart relaxes between beats

A normal reading is typically below 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension is generally diagnosed when:

• Systolic is consistently 130 mmHg or higher, or
• Diastolic is consistently 80 mmHg or higher

Why High Blood Pressure Matters

Persistent high blood pressure forces your heart and blood vessels to work harder. Over time, this can lead to:

• Heart disease and heart attacks
• Stroke
• Kidney damage
• Vision loss
• Cognitive decline

Even slightly elevated readings can cause damage if left untreated, making prevention and early management critical.

Common Causes of Hypertension

While genetics play a role, lifestyle and environmental factors are major contributors. Some common causes and risk factors include:

1. Poor Diet – High sodium intake, low potassium, and excess processed foods can raise blood pressure.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle – Lack of regular physical activity reduces cardiovascular resilience.
3. Chronic Stress – Elevated stress hormones like cortisol can tighten blood vessels and increase pressure.
4. Excess Weight – Extra body fat can strain the heart and raise vascular resistance.
5. Poor Sleep – Sleep apnea and chronic sleep deprivation are strongly linked to hypertension.
6. Insulin Resistance – Blood sugar imbalances can stiffen arteries and raise blood pressure.
7. Underlying Health Conditions – Kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and hormonal imbalances can contribute.

Functional Medicine’s View on Hypertension

Conventional medicine often relies on medications — such as diuretics, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers — to lower blood pressure. While these drugs can be lifesaving, they don’t always address why your blood pressure is high in the first place.

Functional medicine looks deeper, exploring root causes like:

• Chronic inflammation
• Nutrient deficiencies (magnesium, potassium, omega-3s)
• Endothelial dysfunction (the lining of your blood vessels not producing enough nitric oxide)
• Gut dysbiosis and its role in systemic inflammation

By addressing these drivers, we aim for not just better numbers, but better long-term health.

Natural Strategies to Support Healthy Blood Pressure

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we create personalized plans that often include:

1. Nutrient-Rich Diet

We emphasize whole foods rich in potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants — like leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds, and wild-caught fish. Reducing processed foods and excess sodium can make a significant difference.

2. Physical Activity

Regular exercise helps strengthen the heart, improve blood flow, and reduce vascular resistance. Even 30 minutes of walking most days can lower readings.

3. Stress Management

Techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can reduce stress-induced blood pressure spikes (learn more in our blog on Stress Management Techniques).

4. Improving Nitric Oxide Production

Nitric oxide helps blood vessels relax. We often recommend foods like beets, leafy greens, and pomegranate — or targeted supplements — to support healthy vascular function (read our blog on Nitric Oxide Deficiency and Hypertension for more details).

5. Optimizing Sleep

Addressing sleep apnea, improving sleep hygiene, and ensuring 7–9 hours of restorative rest each night can have a powerful effect on blood pressure.

A Real-Life Example

One of our patients, a 55-year-old man, came to us with blood pressure averaging 148/92 despite being on medication. Testing revealed low magnesium, high stress hormone levels, and early signs of insulin resistance.

We tailored a plan that included a magnesium-rich diet, gentle daily exercise, guided breathing exercises, and targeted supplementation. Within three months, his blood pressure averaged 124/78 — and his energy and sleep improved dramatically.

When to Seek Help

If your blood pressure is consistently above normal, don’t wait. Early intervention can prevent decades of cardiovascular strain and significantly improve quality of life.

Our St. Louis team offers both in-person and telemedicine consultations to help you uncover the root causes of your hypertension and develop a personalized, sustainable plan for heart health.

Bottom Line: Hypertension is common, but it’s not inevitable — and it’s not always a lifelong sentence to medication. By addressing diet, lifestyle, stress, and underlying imbalances, you can take control of your blood pressure and protect your heart for years to come.

Internal Link Opportunities:

• Link “stress management” to your blog on Stress Management Techniques.
• Link “nitric oxide deficiency” to your blog on Nitric Oxide Deficiency and Hypertension.
• Link “nutrient deficiencies” to your blog on Nutritional Deficiencies and Their Impact on Collagen Production.

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