Show Your Heart Some Love: Focus on Hypertension

Blood pressure readings can be misleading—are you really hypertensive, or is it just a case of white coat syndrome? Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Dr. Ellie Campbell, a primary care functional medicine doctor, to unpack the complexities of blood pressure, its role in cardiovascular risk, and why a single reading in a doctor’s office might not tell the whole story.   Dr. Campbell shares how a patient’s unexpected stroke reshaped her understanding of blood pressure management, leading her to investigate overlooked factors like inflammation and metabolic health. The conversation also covers why home blood pressure monitoring often provides a clearer picture than in-office readings, and how standard measurement mistakes can lead to unnecessary prescriptions.   For those questioning whether their numbers reflect reality, this episode offers a guide to tracking blood pressure correctly, recognizing the impact of lifestyle choices, and taking control of heart health before problems arise.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00  Introduction 01:03 The Importance of Cardiovascular Health 02:14 Dr. Ellie Kimball's Book on Hypertension 04:14 The Story of Dee and the Impact of Hypertension 08:45 The Connection Between Dental Health and Cardiovascular Events 10:55 The Silent Killer: Hypertension 14:07 Prevalence of Elevated Blood Pressure 17:45 Theories Behind Rising Hypertension Rates 19:40 The Role of Chronic Stress and Cortisol 24:50 Proper Blood Pressure Measurement Techniques 30:00 The Importance of Accurate Blood Pressure Readings 33:11 Understanding Blood Pressure Guidelines 39:49 Understanding White Coat Effect and Masked Hypertension 41:05 Home Blood Pressure Monitoring vs. 24-Hour Ambulatory Monitoring 44:40 Standardizing Home Blood Pressure Readings   Links Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/ Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters  🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook   Connect with Dr. Regina Druz: Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters  Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm