Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is very important to maintain a health and enhanced overall well-being. Blood pressure is the force that is exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels. It is typical for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day, but if stays high, then high blood pressure is experienced. The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. Medical experts agree that the normal blood pressure is between 110/70 and 125/80. When a blood pressure is high, it may damage the blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. These conditions may lead to heart attack, stroke, and other serious problems. Hypertension is often called a ?silent killer? because it does not cause symptoms while it causing the said damages.
About 90-95 percent of the causes of hypertension is unknown. But several factor may lead to high blood pressure like obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, family background of high blood pressure, eating too much salt, and getting older. One's blood pressure may also rise if he or she lives a sedentary lifestyle and is not eating sufficient potassium and calcium. Hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) or thickening of the artery wall, and too much contraction of the small arteries may also cause hypertension.
High blood pressure does not usually cause symptoms that is why this ailment can go undetected for many years. This may result in progressive damage to major organs like the heart, kidneys, liver, and blood vessels. In addition to these conditions, high blood pressure can cause the tiny capillaries in the eye to bleed. However, symptoms of high blood pressure are noticeable in some people. These symptoms may include headache, blurred vision, nausea, and chronic fatigue.
Treatment for high blood pressure depends on how high the blood pressure is. Health conditions like diabetes, or whether any organs have been damaged are critical in treating high blood pressure. Individuals with high blood pressure may lower their blood pressure by making healthy changes in their daily activities and food regimens. Medication can be taken if those lifestyle changes don't work.
Here are some of the lifestyle changes that are essential in preventing high blood pressure
Lose extra weight Eat less salt Exercise Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women and lighter-weight men Get 3,500 mg of potassium in your diet every day. Fresh, unprocessed whole foods have the most potassium. These foods include meat, fish, nonfat and low-fat dairy products, and many fruits and vegetables. Consume diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and is low in fat
High blood pressure is a health ailment that many have taken for granted. This condition took the lives of over 40,000 Americans in 2002 alone and about one in three adults suffer from high blood pressure. People who are concerned about their health should pay attention to their blood pressure. But before making major adjustments in one's lifestyle, individuals who wish to lower or maintain their blood pressure should seek the approval of doctors and other health experts. With the proper lifestyle and food regimen, high blood pressure may not be a problem.
Next time you are with a group of 3 friends, take a good look around; one of you will have high blood pressure. The sad part is, since there are no symptoms, you may not even be aware of it. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, or kidney failure. Various risk factors contribute to this disease that are both under our control, and out of our control. The only way to determine if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. The insidious nature of this disease makes it a true Silent Killer.
The brain requires unobstructed blood flow to nourish its many functions. Very high, sustained blood pressure will eventually cause blood vessels to weaken. Over time these weaken vessels can break, and blood will leak into the brain. The area of the brain that is being fed by these broken vessels start to die, and this will cause a stroke. Additionally, if a blot clot blocks a narrowed artery, blood ceases to flow and a stroke will occur. Symptoms of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion, trouble speaking, or seeing, sudden severe headache. If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay, call 911.
Like the brain, the heart requires blood to bring oxygen, and nutrients to its muscle tissue. The narrowing of the arteries due to blockage can cause high blood pressure. If this blockage occurs in the arteries of the heart, coronary arteries, heart muscle damage can occur, resulting in a heart attack. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, however most heart attacks start slowly with mild pain and discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Shortness of breath may occur, as well as nausea, or lightheadedness. It is vital to get help immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
The kidneys act as filters to rid the body of all waste products. Eventually, high blood pressure can thicken, then narrow the blood vessels of the kidneys. The kidneys becomes less efficient, filtering less fluid, and waste builds up in the blood. Over time, the kidneys may fail altogether. When this happens, medical treatment such as dialysis, or a kidney transplant may be needed.
The best way to find out if you have high blood pressure is by having your blood pressure checked regularly. Generally speaking, doctors will diagnose a person with high blood pressure on the basis of two or more readings, taken on different occasions. A consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure, or hypertensive. It is vital to take steps to keep your blood pressure under control. The treatment goal is blood pressure below 140/90 and lower for people with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle including healthy eating habits, reducing salt in the diet, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, being physically active, and quitting smoking is an effective step in preventing and controlling high blood pressure. If lifestyle improvements alone are not sufficient in keeping pressure controlled, it may be necessary to add blood pressure medications. There are several options that physicians have at their disposal, and each option should be discussed, as to their side effects and efficacy.
Both Emmanuel Chavez & Ted Roxan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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