Let's face it folks. We are not getting any younger anytime EVER! As important as it is to start saving for retirement, or live a comfortable retired life, it's just as important to be healthy to even enjoy retirement, no matter what age. What keeps you alive everyday, besides seeing your loved ones, or enjoying living another day? One word. Health.

Are you going to the doctor for regular checkups? Our health is much more important than we realize, and our stubbornness, forgetfulness, or even downright neglect towards your health is a bad move. Many people don't realize that a simple checkup procedure can save your life. What's this little checkup procedure? Well'it's your blood pressure.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, high blood pressure, or hypertension, affects OVER 65 million Americans. Breaking it down, that's one out of every three adults.

If this has gotten your attention, keep reading! This ?silent killer' (nickname derived from having no extreme obvious symptoms) can lead to unhealthy, more dangerous conditions, such as:

? Aneurysms (formation of tiny bulges) in your blood vessels ? the most common locations are found in the aorta (main artery from the heart), brain arteries, legs, and artery leading towards the spleen.

? Possible kidney failure, due to your blood vessels narrowing.

? Heart failure, due to heart enlargement.

? Rapid hardening of arteries due to the heart working overtime to pump blood ? this can cause heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.

? Blood vessels in the eyes may burst or bleed which causes vision changes and/or blindness

This is obviously something you don't want to mess with.

WHAT IS NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE?

Normal blood pressure is determined by two number factors. The first is called systolic pressure, measured when the heart contracts, and the second number is called the diastolic pressure, measured when the heart is resting. A healthy blood pressure checkup will be 120/80 or less.

Here's a question with answers we've heard repeatedly. How can you prevent or maintain a healthy blood pressure? Simple:

? Maintain a healthy weight

? Maintain healthy eating habits, which in turn will create a healthy lifestyle

? Less sodium intake will have significant positive effects, and lastly,

? Tripeptides (trĭ ? PĔP ? t'des), or special milk proteins researched by scientists. Clinical studies have shown that those who took tripeptides noticed a significant decrease in blood pressure. This gives new hope for Americans. Why? Because it has the natural ability to reduce the angiotensin converting enzymes (the common cause of high blood pressure.)

Now earlier, I mentioned that the symptoms are close to none when experiencing hypertension. But what are the symptoms of untreated hypertension??

? Headaches are severe ? Fatigue or confusion ? Vision problems ? Chest pain ? Breathing is difficult ? Irregular heartbeat ? Blood in the urine

Is there hope? I'd say so. I also say take the time be examined?there are many people who refuse to go get their blood pressure checked, or just plain mistaken by the ?it-won't-happen-to-me' syndrome - it takes a mere 60 seconds or less! This literally could be the difference between life and death.

Sources: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/hypertension.htm