Why Blood Pressure Matters
Hi everyone, Eva Schmidt here to talk to you this month about why blood pressure matters.
By prioritizing blood pressure management during hormone therapy, you can experience the full spectrum of BHRT benefits without compromising your long-term health. Simply put, maintaining healthy blood pressure levels empowers you to enjoy the transformative effects of hormone therapy safely and sustainably, ensuring that you can enjoy your improved quality of life for years to come!
Your health and longevity matter to us and managing your blood pressure is a cornerstone of achieving both, which is why we offer the following guidelines for therapy at Hale. To chat with me about any questions or concerns you have about your blood pressure, call the clinic at 541-228-3267 and request an in-person, Zoom meeting or a phone call with me.
BHRT & BLOOD PRESSURE
Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range is vital to avoid serious health problems like strokes, heart attacks, and kidney disease. High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms—you might only find out when it causes a major health issue. Prevention is key, so it’s important to focus on it before problems arise. Along with keeping your hormone levels in check, monitoring your blood pressure is our top priority!
Should You Worry About a Single High Blood Pressure Reading? No, don’t panic! A single high reading doesn’t mean you have high blood pressure. Blood pressure changes throughout the day based on activity, stress, and even the time of day. It’s usually lower when you’re resting and higher when you’re active or stressed.
Your blood pressure at any given moment depends on a lot of factors, including hormones and your nervous system. It’s common for people to have higher readings when they’re nervous or stressed—like when visiting a doctor. By the end of the appointment, once you feel more at ease, your reading might already improve.
What Does One High Reading Mean? If your blood pressure is normal, there’s nothing to worry about. If it’s high, it’s worth taking a closer look. Your healthcare provider will consider your medical history, lifestyle, and other health risks. For otherwise healthy people, small lifestyle changes and follow-up checks are often all that’s needed to keep things on track.
Blood Pressure and Hormone Therapy: If you’re on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), keeping an eye on your blood pressure is especially important. BHRT can increase red blood cell production, making your blood thicker. While this can be good for oxygen delivery in the short term (think of athletes boosting performance), thicker blood can also raise certain risks. It can also increase blood pressure, so managing both is crucial.
Hale’s Policy on Blood Pressure: At Hale, we advise you to keep your blood pressure under 140/90 mmHg, as recommended by health experts. We will check your blood pressure at regular intervals while on BHRT therapy, allowing us to treat you safely. Should your Hale provider determine you are at increased risk due to elevated BP, we may temporarily suspend therapy while you work to manage it.
With careful monitoring, lifestyle adjustments, and collaboration with your healthcare provider, it’s possible to manage blood pressure effectively while benefiting from Hormone replacement therapy. However, if blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues become difficult to manage, reevaluating the appropriateness for BHRT or exploring alternative treatments may be necessary.
Always report any new or worsening symptoms, such as headaches or dizziness, to your healthcare provider. Keeping your blood pressure in check is one of the easiest ways to protect your health. If you’re unsure about your numbers or need support, we’re here to help!
In Good Health,
Eva
Eva Schmidt, FNP-BC, NBC-HWC, PCC
Medical Director, Hale Clinic