High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common health concerns worldwide, yet it often goes unnoticed. You can feel healthy and still have high blood pressure. That’s why it matters to understand what those numbers mean and what they reveal about your overall health.
Let’s explore what blood pressure really means, why it matters, what risks come with ignoring it, and how we help our patients take control at Kairos Integrative Care.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood moving through your arteries. When that pressure stays too high, it means your heart and blood vessels are working harder than they should. Over time, this extra stress can damage your arteries and organs even if you feel fine today.
BP Ranges:
- Normal: <120/80 mmHg
- Elevated: 120-129 / <80 mmHg
- High (Stage 1): 130-139 / 80-89 mmHg
- High (Stage 2): 140+ / 90+ mmHg
Even slightly high readings can put extra strain on your arteries, heart, and kidneys. Over time, this constant pressure can damage delicate blood vessels and lead to long-term health problems.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is rarely caused by one single factor. While most people think salt is the main culprit, the truth is more complex. Diet does matter, but stress, hormonal shifts, and even sleep patterns can play a major role.
High blood pressure is usually a combination of factors, like:
- Insulin resistance: When your body struggles to manage blood sugar, it affects your blood vessels.
- Stress and cortisol spikes: Chronic stress tightens arteries and raises pressure.
- Hormone imbalances: Thyroid and adrenal hormones play a big role.
Kidney health: Your kidneys regulate fluid and pressure, so when they’re under strain, blood pressure rises. - Genetics: Family history can make you more sensitive.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Most people with high blood pressure feel completely normal, which is why routine checks are so important.. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
- Frequent headaches
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pressure
- Swelling in the ankles or legs
These signs are easy to dismiss but should never be ignored. And if you experience sudden chest pain, severe headaches, or blurred vision, it’s time to seek medical care immediately.
The Risks of Ignoring High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure often gives no warning signs, but the damage it causes is serious and long-lasting. When it stays untreated, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels and vital organs every single day.
Over time, this silent stress can lead to major health problems, including:
- Heart disease and stroke: High blood pressure is the number one cause of both, making your heart work harder and increasing the chance of blocked arteries.
- Kidney damage: It’s one of the main reasons for kidney failure because it weakens and scars tiny blood vessels in the kidneys.
- Vision problems: Extra blood pressure can damage the delicate blood vessels in your eyes, which can lead to vision loss.
- Memory and thinking issues: Studies show a strong link between high blood pressure, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Research shows that the damage begins long before symptoms appear, which is why early action is always better than waiting for a long-term health crisis.
How We Look Deeper at Kairos Integrative Care
Two people can have the same blood pressure reading but face completely different risks. That’s why we go deeper. At Kairos Integrative Care, we look at your labs, symptoms, history, hormones, and lifestyle to understand why your pressure is high and what will help you.
We start by running targeted tests like:
- Kidney function & electrolytes: Check how well your kidneys filter and how fluid & mineral balance may be driving blood pressure changes.
- Blood sugar & insulin markers: Early insulin resistance can push blood pressure up long before diabetes shows up.
- Thyroid and adrenal hormones because hormonal shifts affect pressure
- Inflammation markers (CRP, homocysteine): Ongoing vessel stress or inflammation makes arteries stiffer and more reactive.
Lipid profile: Cholesterol and triglyceride patterns give clues about artery health and long‑term heart risk.
This data helps us create a plan that supports your body.
When Should You Get Checked?
- If your readings are consistently above 120/80
- If you have a family history of hypertension or heart disease
- If you notice symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or swelling
- If you have other risk factors diabetes, PCOS, or high cholesterol
Don’t wait for a crisis. At Kairos Integrative Care, we help you catch problems early and protect your future health.
Conclusion
High blood pressure doesn’t have to control your life. What if you could find out why it’s high and fix the root cause, not just the numbers?
At Kairos Integrative Care, we look beyond the numbers to find the real reasons behind high blood pressure. Lola, one of our board-certified practitioners, will guide you through advanced testing and create a personalized plan that fits your body and your life.
We serve patients in Houston, Sugar Land, and surrounding areas (77046 & 77478). We accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare & more.
Book your Metabolic & Heart Health appointment today!
