Tag Archives: nutritionist tampa

01.03.21
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High Blood Pressure: Dangers of Leaving High Readings Unregulated

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A high blood pressure reading at the doctor’s office now and then isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. Some days our pressure may just be higher than others. It can be due to stress, physical exertion, nervousness at a doctor visit (white coat syndrome), or even if you drink a latte on the morning of your visit.

One single reading does not mean you have ongoing high blood pressure. If your readings keep coming up high that is when you need to pay attention and speak with your physician about possible ways to combat it and get your readings back to a normal healthy level.

Hypertension may not sound like a big deal, but when left untreated what it does is this: Think about blowing up a balloon too much or overinflating your tires. That excess air stretches the rubber thinner than it should be making it weak. Over time if you over inflate too much, what happens? They may pop. The same holds true for your vein and artery walls. These small tubes run throughout your entire body and elevated pressure can affect any part of the body where your veins carry blood.

Chronic hypertension (high blood pressure) can cause weakening of your circulatory system. It can ultimately lead to heart attack, heart failure, sexual dysfunction, kidney disease, vision problems including loss, and even stroke.

These are serious medical issues that can threaten your health, wellbeing, and even take your life.

The best protection you have is knowledge. Know your numbers. Get checked regularly. If they remain too high talk with your doctor. There are some lifestyle changes you can make that can help to get them down.

Lifestyle changes to help lower blood pressure include:

  1. exercise regularly
  2. Manage your weight
  3. Stop smoking
  4. Reduce sodium intake
  5. Drop the alcohol
  6. Eat more potassium containing foods (nuts and seeds, beans, oily fish, milk, yogurt, fruits, berries, vegetables).
  7. Reduce stress
  8. Cut back on caffeine
  9. Eat dark chocolate
  10. Get rid of the refined sugar and carbs

If these changes are enough to lower your numbers? Wonderful!
If not your doctor will help you find the proper blood pressure medicine to get you back on track.

Give the doctors at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates a call today at 813-975-2800 or visit online to learn more at WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM.

05.01.20
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Tips to Reverse and Help Prevent Heart Disease

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heart-disease-tampa-cardio-tampa-floridaReady to take the leap and commit to heart health? It isn’t as challenging as you think. Just follow these tips for ultimate heart health!

1.  Eat Your Vegetables!

We are what we eat. Eating a diet high in vegetables ensures we get all of the vitamins and minerals our bodies need. This is in direct opposition to what eating has become here in America. Junk, Junk, Junk… processed foods have taken over and they are killing us.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 32% of our calories come from animal sources, 57% from processed plant foods, and only 11% from non-bleached grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.  Plant-based food is essential to heal the body and protect your heart.

2. Quit Smoking

34.3 million people smoke as of 2019. Smoking can be devastating for your cardiovascular health. If you smoke, quit. Your heart will thank you.

3.  Maintain a Healthy Weight

BMI is a better indicator of a healthy size than just weight alone.  Recommended BMI as a goal should be 20-25. The more weight you carry the harder your organs and skeletal structure all have to work. Give your body a break and stay within range.

4.  Exercise

30 minutes of movement a day is the minimum. Go for a walk, stretch, do some yard work or work around the house, bike, swim, run, go to the gym, just get that blood flowing and muscles moving.

5.  Sleep like a baby

Seven to eight hours a night is ideal. Less and you may be cutting your life expectancy. Your body needs this time to rest, repair, and heal. That goes for your heart as well as the rest of you.

6.  Never ignore symptoms, signs, or heredity

If you notice an issue or are at high risk due to heredity, don’t wait. Get it checked out. The Tampa Cardiovascular Associates want you to know that with advanced blood work you can detect heart disease a decade before you have a heart attack.

  • Check your cholesterol and advanced cholesterol
  • Your three-month sugar numbers
  • Your A1C
  • Your inflammation
  • Your high sensitivity C-reactive protein
  • Your homocysteine level
  • Your lipoprotein A
  • Your vitamin D

7. Take a Suana often

Infrared saunas have been shown to improve the function of the cells that line the arteries.

The infrared light on the spectrum is the one that is able to penetrate our skin and activate our energy system.  Studies suggest that regular sauna sessions can help stabilize blood pressure.  An infrared sauna can help you and your heart stay healthy. Saunas also help your body rid itself of toxins through sweat much like exercise.

These have been our helpful self-care tips for keeping your heart healthy.

Visit www.tampacardio.com or call 813-975-2800 to schedule an appointment.