Hormonal Imbalance and Hypertension
Studies show that there's a link between hormonal imbalance and hypertension. Normally, when your hormone levels are disrupted, it causes blood pressure to fluctuate. However, in some people the blood pressure remains high even when hormone levels are at a normal level. This is called primary hypertension. It's often caused by an underlying medical condition such as chronic kidney disease or tumors on the adrenal gland. What does this mean for you?
Estrogen Dominance
The first and most common hormonal imbalance that people are unaware of is estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is when the ratio between estrogen to progesterone is skewed, leading to an over-concentration of estrogen in your body. This can lead to a variety of symptoms including water retention, bloating, weight gain, mood swings, anxiety and depression. Along with these symptoms comes hypertension.
Low Progesterone
Hypertension is a medical condition where the blood vessels tighten up, causing high blood pressure. It can lead to a variety of health issues and even death. Hormones are often blamed for hypertension, but did you know that it's actually an imbalance in hormones that causes it? Low progesterone is one such hormone imbalance that can cause high blood pressure by tightening up the uterine lining. This leads to constricted blood vessels, which increases the risk for hypertension.
Testosterone Deficiency
Men who are testosterone deficient often experience hypertension as a symptom. Testosterone deficiency can lead to erythrocytosis, which is the inability to release toxins from the body. This can cause a buildup of toxins and lead to high blood pressure. High blood pressure can also be caused by obesity, diabetes, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and even heavy drinking. If left untreated, hypertensive cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular accidents may occur.
Other Hormones That Can Affect Blood Pressure
Many people believe that hormonal imbalance is the only cause of high blood pressure. However, there are other hormones that can affect blood pressure. Some examples are estrogen, cortisol and insulin. For example, women experience a spike in estrogen levels during their menstrual cycles which may lead to increased water retention and higher blood pressure levels. This is why it's important for women to monitor their blood pressure during this time. In addition, cortisol - a hormone produced by the adrenal gland - stimulates sodium retention. Cortisol also promotes an increase in fluid loss from tissues leading to lower blood volume and elevated blood pressure levels. People with chronic diseases such as diabetes often have chronically elevated cortisol levels as well which could be playing a role in their hypertension. Insulin resistance is another factor involved in hypertension because when it occurs, cells stop responding properly to insulin.
Natural Ways to Balance Your Hormones
As you get older, it's not uncommon to experience hormonal imbalance. One common result of this imbalance is hypertension, or high blood pressure. But what causes it? And how can we prevent and treat it? Here are the top natural ways to balance your hormones.
Eating a nutrient-dense diet will support the normal function of the adrenal glands and other hormone-producing organs. Drinking plenty of water will help your body flush toxins that could be interfering with normal hormone function. Exercise helps regulate stress hormones by promoting production of adrenaline, which stimulates secretion of corticosteroids that counteract stress-induced activation in the brain centers regulating hormone secretion.
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