Hypertension updates 2024
Some new ways to investigate blood pressure issues
I still take the blood pressure of my patients using a manual cuff….thats oldddd school.
I am not afraid to admit that and I am certainly proud that I was trained that way and have stuck with it.
Recently, my blood pressures started to creep up. Being the empath I am ; I was like a sponge for the collective stress that was going around election time and my blood pressure went up.
I went out and bought a fancy OMRON bluetooth BP cuff for my own use and really thought that it was time invested in exploring more about the why behind high blood pressure.
Sure I have written protocols and articles on blood pressure and treated thousands of patients by now for blood pressure issues. Therapeutics work and people generally move on with good blood pressure management.
Yet I have really not explored root caused testing that may extract the root cause of a hypertension case.
Here are some laboratory tests that can help to reveal the underlying causes of hypertension:
Routine Tests: These tests are commonly used by doctors to screen for underlying health conditions and can help determine if further investigation is needed.
Complete Blood Count with Differential and Platelets (CBC w/ Diff/ PLT): This test can rule out immune system dysfunction and assess for irregular patterns in red blood cell indices, which could affect blood pressure regulation.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel -14 (CMP-14): This test examines kidney and liver function and evaluates electrolytes and proteins like albumin, which influence blood pressure.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): This test is the standard for evaluating thyroid health. Low TSH levels can lead to overactive thyroid hormones (T4 and T3), which can cause vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, and elevated metabolism.
Specific Tests: If the routine tests are normal or inconclusive, these more specific tests can be used to investigate potential causes of hypertension.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme: This test measures the enzyme responsible for converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor.
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): This test measures the hormone that increases vasoconstriction by promoting sodium and water retention.
Aldosterone: This test assesses the hormone that increases blood pressure by retaining sodium and water in response to potassium and sodium fluctuations.
Cystatin-C: This test evaluates kidney function more accurately than traditional methods. Elevated levels may indicate microvascular kidney disease, potentially contributing to hypertension.
Renin: This test measures the enzyme that triggers the production of angiotensin, which can lead to vasoconstriction.
Catecholamines (fractionated): This test measures the levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, epinephrine (vasoconstrictors), and dopamine (vasodilator), which impact blood pressure. I would predict this is what was high in me during election time.
Cortisol: This test measures the hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, which can reduce vasodilation and contribute to vasoconstriction. Also high during times of stress.
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA): Elevated levels of this amino acid analogue can inhibit nitric oxide production, impairing endothelial function and leading to cardiovascular problems, including hypertension. I did test this for myself and it was normal .
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP): Elevated levels of this peptide, produced by the heart, can indicate stress on the heart muscle and potential cardiovascular issues. This would be a cause of deep concern and a need for much better blood pressure control.
C- Reactive Protein (high sensitivity) (CRP hs): Elevated levels of this inflammatory marker may contribute to vasoconstriction and hypertension. So many things impact this. Diet is one big component!
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO): High levels of this gut bacteria byproduct have been linked to increased incidence of hypertension. A leaky gut might be contributor to hypertension..
Cholinesterase: This test measures the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in relaxation. Elevations in cholinesterase can contribute to vasoconstriction.
Magnesium RBC: This test measures the level of magnesium, a mineral crucial for muscle relaxation and blood vessel dilation. Low levels may contribute to hypertension.
Insurance coverage varies for this type of testing. I have personally been working with some direct lab companies where we can get very discounted lab tests through labcorp so it bypasses being denied from insurance being stuck with a big bill.
The big question with any lab is….If so, then what? By the way, always ask that question to me if we are working together. It is a great intellectual question to parse out the usefulness of testing. Each of these lab values gives a therapeutic direction to address hypertension. And sometimes, the answer may pharmaceutical, gut repair, herbal medication, lifestyle changes, diet changes, or any combination of these.
What’s the deal with me? to be continued. I am not on any medications for blood pressure and managing with QiGong, exercise, and an herbal medicine from Metagenics that helps regulate cortisol. So far so good. My family genetics one side of the family have hypertensive genes (another post on this later) so I have to watch it!
Want to learn more? Drop some questions below in the comment section.
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