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
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