Bob Held asked:


As a first step, let’s talk about your heart.

Your heart is an organ that is mostly muscle tissue. It is a pump. In very simple terms its job is to receive incoming blood from the body that is low in oxygen and pump it to the lungs.

As it passes through the lungs the blood gets rid of carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen. Then the blood goes back to the heart and the heart pumps the oxygen rich blood out to the entire body.

Blood flows through arteries going out from the heart to various parts of the body, and through veins on the way back to the heart.

The heart pumps blood by the rhythmic contraction of the four chambers in the heart. It is the strong contractions of the lower two chambers (called ventricles) that pumps the blood out of and away from the heart to the various parts of the body.

There is a great deal of pressure created by the contraction of the ventricles. and it is this pressure that pushes the blood through the miles of arteries within the body.

It is the pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the inside walls of your arteries, that is being discussed when we talk about blood “pressure.”

What do the numbers mean?

You’ve probably heard the sound of a heart beating at some time. It sounds sort of like: lub-DUB, lub-DUB, lub-DUB, lub-DUB.

The “lub” is the sound of the auricles beating and pumping the blood into the bigger, more powerful chambers, the ventricles. The “DUB” is the sound of the ventricles beating, and pumping the blood away from the heart (see the above illustration).

When the powerful ventricles contract (the “DUB”), that is the moment of greatest pressure called the “systolic pressure.”

Between one “lub-DUB” and the next “lub-DUB” is a moment when the heart is not beating at all, that is the moment of lowest pressure called the “diastolic pressure.”

When doctors or nurses measure your blood pressure, they usually give it to you as two numbers, the “systolic” over the “diastolic” or the high over the low measurements.

These numbers fall into certain ranges:

What controls blood pressure?

Blood pressure is controlled by tiny muscles that line the inside of your blood vessels.

These muscles allow your arteries to operate like soft rubber tubes, that expand with each beat of your heart.

When these muscles throughout the vascular system [the arteries and veins that carry blood] expand, blood pressure drops.

When these muscles throughout the vascular system tense up, blood pressure rises.

When these muscles get tense, the arteries become narrower, more rigid, less flexible, and the heart has to beat harder to keep the blood flowing through these narrower tubes.

If the muscles that line your arteries are tense all the time, the blood pressure will remain high. This is called hypertension!

Continuous high blood pressure puts extra strain, wear and tear on your heart and arteries, that can eventually lead to heart attacks and strokes.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

What is it that makes the muscles that line your blood vessels tense all the time? What are the things that can actually drive your blood pressure up?

* Poor diet

* Nutritional deficiencies

* Being overweight

* Alcohol and caffeine in excess

* Emotional and physical stress

* Being diabetic

Each of the above can cause the loss of vital minerals from the body. These minerals are essential to the natural and effective control of blood pressure.

“Magnesium is essential for cells to maintain proper balances of other minerals such as potassium, sodium, and calcium.”

“When cells are deficient in magnesium, this balance is disrupted, and cells lose potassium and are flooded with calcium and sodium.”

“In the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels, this sets the stage for constriction and elevation of blood pressure.”

excerpted from The Magnesium Solution

by Jay S. Cohen, M.D.

Not having enough magnesium is one of the main causes of high blood pressure.

“As many as half of us in the United States are magnesium deficient.”

“Our soils are becoming depleted of magnesium, which eliminates the natural opportunity to receive magnesium from fruits, vegetables, and water.”

excerpted from The Sinatra Solution

by Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D.

Blood Pressure Drugs

Today, most people with high blood pressure are only treating the symptoms and not getting to the root of the problem.

Furthermore, many hypertension medications given to people with high blood pressure are adding to the problem instead of getting to the root cause.

All blood pressure medications are man-made chemicals. They are alien substances in your body.

They attempt to directly address the high blood pressure (which is a symptom) rather than what is causing the high blood pressure.

Some of these medications will do this by slowing your heart beat, others by interfering with nerve impulses to your arteries, and still others by removing water from your body, or blocking biochemical reactions, or preventing calcium from entering the cells that make up the walls of your arteries.

All blood pressure medications have side effects. Some of these side effects are so strong that they negatively impact your quality of life.

Often, two or three of these drugs are prescribed to be used at the same time, which creates even more side effects as a result of the chemical interactions between the drugs.



Michael

Flor Ayag asked:


MARIAN was afraid! Without warning, her nose had begun to bleed profusely. “I thought I was going to die,” she recalls. A doctor informed Marian that her nosebleed had been caused by high blood pressure (arterial hypertension). “But I feel fine,” answered Marian. “Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because they have no symptoms,” she replied.

What about your blood pressure? Could your current life-style cause high blood pressure in the future? What can you do to keep your blood pressure under control?

Blood pressure is the force blood exerts against blood vessel walls. It can be measured using an inflatable rubber cuff, which is wrapped around the upper arm and connected to an apparatus that records pressure. Two readings are obtained. For example: 120/80. The first number is called systolic blood pressure because it indicates blood pressure during the heartbeat (systole), and the second number is called diastolic blood pressure because it indicates blood pressure while the heart is relaxed (diastole). Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, and physicians classify patients as hypertensive when their blood pressure is above 140/90.

What makes blood pressure increase? Imagine that you are watering your garden. By opening the faucet or by reducing the caliber, or diameter, of the jet of water, you increase the pressure of the water. The same occurs with blood pressure: Increasing the rate of flow of blood or decreasing the caliber of the blood vessel elevates the blood pressure. How does high blood pressure occur? Many factors are involved.

Factors You Cannot Control

Researchers have discovered that if a person has relatives with high blood pressure, his chances of suffering from the disease are greater. Statistics indicate a higher incidence of hypertension in identical twins than in fraternal twins. One study refers to the “mapping of the genes responsible for arterial hypertension,” all of which would confirm the existence of a hereditary component responsible for high blood pressure. The risk of abnormally high blood pressure is also known to increase with age and to be greater among black males.

Factors You Can Control

Watch your diet! Salt (sodium) can boost blood pressure in some people, especially people with diabetes, those with severe hypertension, older people, and some blacks. Excess fat in the bloodstream can create deposits of cholesterol on the internal walls of blood vessels (atherosclerosis), thus reducing their caliber and increasing blood pressure. People who are more than 30 percent above their ideal body weight are liable to have high blood pressure. Studies suggest that increasing the intake of potassium and calcium may lower blood pressure.

Smoking is related to a greater risk of atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. That being so, smoking and high blood pressure are a dangerous combination that can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Although the evidence is contradictory, caffeine—contained in coffee, tea, and cola drinks—and emotional and physical stress may also aggravate high blood pressure. In addition, scientists know that intensive or chronic consumption of alcoholic drinks and lack of physical activity can increase blood pressure.

Healthful Life-Style

It would be a mistake to wait for high blood pressure to develop before taking positive steps. A healthful life-style should be a concern from an early age. Taking care now will result in a better quality of life in the future.

The Third Brazilian Consensus on Arterial Hypertension defined the life-style changes that favor a decrease in arterial blood pressure. They are a helpful guide to people with high or normal blood pressure.

For the obese, researchers recommended a balanced low-calorie diet, avoiding fast and “miracle” diets, while maintaining a program of moderate physical exercise. With regard to salt, they suggested a consumption of no more than six grams or one teaspoon per day. In practice, that means cutting to a minimum the use of salt in food preparation, as well as minimizing canned foods, cold cuts (salami, ham, sausage, and others), and smoked foods. Salt intake can also be reduced by refraining from adding extra salt during the meal and by checking the packaging of processed foods to see how much salt has been added.

The Brazilian Consensus also suggested increasing the intake of potassium because it may have an “antihypertensive effect.” That being so, a healthful diet should include “foods that are low in sodium and rich in potassium,” such as beans, dark green vegetables, bananas, melons, carrots, beets, tomatoes, and oranges. Keeping alcohol intake at a moderate level is also important. Some researchers indicate that hypertensive males should consume no more than one ounce [30 ml] of alcohol per day; and women or those with low body weight no more than one half ounce [15 ml].

The Brazilian Consensus concluded that regular physical exercise decreased blood pressure and thus lowered the risk of developing arterial hypertension. Moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling, and swimming, for 30 to 45 minutes, three to five times a week is beneficial. Other factors that have been associated with a more healthful life-style include quitting smoking, controlling blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) and diabetes, getting an adequate intake of calcium and magnesium, and controlling physical and emotional stress. Some drugs may increase blood pressure, such as nasal decongestants, antacids high in sodium, appetite moderators, and caffeine-containing painkillers for migraines.

Certainly, if you have arterial hypertension, your doctor is in the best position to give you advice on your diet and habits, according to your personal needs. Regardless of your situation, however, adopting a healthful life-style from an early age is always beneficial, not only for hypertensive people but for all the members of the family. Marian, mentioned at the beginning of this article, had to make changes in her life-style. Currently she takes medication and leads a normal life despite her health problem.



Steven

Steven A Johnson asked:


The pressure of blood against the walls of the arteries is called your blood pressure. It results from two sources, the heart when it pumps blood, and the circulatory system. If your blood pressure isn’t normal than it can either be high or low. Blood pressure is measured by an electronic device that is put around the arm and blown up. The doctor then puts a stethoscope to your arm while the air is let out slowly.

High blood pressure (systolic pressure) is measured when the doctor first hears the pulse. Low blood pressure (diastolic pressure) is measured from the moment the doctor is unable to hear the pulse. It is normally measured in terms of millimeters of mercury but do to the dangers of mercury it is no longer used. The systolic pressure is always placed first, for example 120/80 or 120 over 80. Blood pressure below this number is considered to be a good number. An example of high blood pressure would look like 140 over 90and low blood pressure would look like 80 over 89.

High blood pressure usually doesn’t have any symptoms; most people go years without ever knowing they have it. Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked. This can be done at a yearly physical.

Low blood pressure is called in medical terms hypotension. It has symptoms due to the low flow of blood through the veins. If the flow of blood is too low it doesn’t deliver enough oxygen to the vital organs. If they don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients they can not f unction normally and it can cause permanent damage.

The body has sensors in the walls of the arteries to monitor the pressure of blood sends signals out to other organs to either lower or increase the bloods pressure. There is a few different ways that this can be done. The veins can expand and narrow. This makes it so that more blood can be stored in the veins and less blood returns to the heart. The arterioles can also expand and narrow. The heart can also speed up and contract more frequently this makes it so it ejects more blood into each contraction. The kidneys can also help by increasing and decreasing the amount of urine that is being produced. Urine is mostly water that is removed from the blood.

High blood pressure can really hurt your kidneys. It makes your heart work harder and damages the blood vessels through your body. Damaged blood vessels in the kidney can result in them stopping wastes from being removed and removing excess fluids. The excess fluids can make blood pressure rise even higher. Kidney failure can result from high blood pressure.

There are changes you should have to make in your life if you have high blood pressure and need to lower it. Quitting smoking is a big cause. Lose weight if you’re over weight. And exercise regularly even if you aren’t over weight. Eating healthy and right can make a huge difference. Lots of fruits and veggies and food low in fat are optimal. Lower the amount of salt you in taking and caffeine too. Relieving stress can all help.

Not every one gets affected by high sodium intakes however. You still should limit your in take of salt to 2,400 mg. your doctor should be able to give you your proper limit. But make sure you are not adding salt to food and read the labels that are on packages to make sure that you’re not taking in over your limit. You may not realize that some foods contain a lot of salt in them. It’s not something you think about when n you’re eating it. Like bread and cheese have a lot of salt in them.

There are many kinds of medications that you can take to lower your blood pressure as well. If your blood pressure can only be controlled by taking prescription medication then most likely you’re going to have to take the medication for the rest of life. Stopping taking the medication without talking to your doctor could really increase your risk of a heart attack and a stroke. Some of these medications are diuretics, beta blockers, alpha blockers, ace inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.

There are lots of herbs and herbal remedies that can help you with your blood pressure as well. They can help to stimulate the circulation and important glands. Rosemary steeped as tea is a good tonic for the heart. Siberian ginseng, ginger, spiralina, and ginkgo biloba can all stimulate the circulatory system. Hawthorn berries and garlic can also regulate blood pressure in those who have to raise their blood pressure. Alternative Health Supplements offers some supplements that are all natural products. They have products that can support normal blood pressure and products that will lower your blood pressure.



Jim

?Love? asked:


I had pregnancy induced hypertension and had to deliver my baby girl at 35 wks. I’m on labetalol 3x a day now and my blood pressure still runs 160/105 unless I’m resting. My baby is a wk old tomorrow she was 5 lbs 12 oz so she got to come home with me thankfully I had the steroid shots so her breathing was normal. So how long should I expect to be on blood pressure meds?

Ruby

? asked:


A family member of mine compains about high blood pressure but doesn’t seem to understand the correlation between salt intake and an increase in blood pressure. Almost every day she consumes about a teaspoon of salt but doesn’t see this as a problem. Isn’t a teaspoon of salt enough to increase blood pressure? and for someone like her, who likes salty foods, what is the maximum amount of salt, if any, that can be consumed daily without increasing blood pressure?
Also, I’m wondering – does sugar increase blood pressure?

Tonya

Jeremiah Slivka asked:


Have you tried changing your lifestyle to help your blood pressure only to find it isn’t helping very much? Sometimes lifestyle changes alone aren’t as effective as when combined with blood pressure medication.

There are many different kinds of blood pressure medications out there today. Usually two different medications are used rather than one alone. Here are some of the main blood pressure medications:

Alpha-Blockers: This medicine reduces nerve impulses to your blood vessels allowing easier flowing of the blood making your blood pressure decrease.

Alpha-Beta-Blockers: These work just like the alpha-blockers but also slow your heart beat. This means less blood pumps through your vessels making your blood pressure decrease.

Nervous System Inhibitors: This medication relaxes your blood vessels by controlling the nerve impulses making your vessels wider and decreasing blood pressure.

Beta-Blockers: These reduce your nerve impulses to your heart and blood vessels, making your heart beat decrease while dropping your blood pressure.

Diuretics: These are also known as ‘water pills,’ a very common medication. These diuretics work in your kidney, flushing out all excess sodium along with water from your body.

Vasodilators: These open your blood vessels directly by relaxing the muscle in your vessel walls which then causes your blood pressure to decrease.

ACE Inhibitors: ACE stands for ‘Angiotensin converting enzyme.’ These inhibitors prevent a hormone called angiotensin II from forming, which will usually cause your blood vessels to narrow. They help the vessels relax which makes your blood pressure decrease.

Angiotensin Antagonists: These block your blood vessels from angiotensin II. When blocked these vessels can widen letting your blood pressure decrease.

Calcium Channel Blockers: These keep any calcium from entering your heart’s muscle cells and your blood vessels causing your blood pressure to decrease.

An alternate to taking any medication if possible is watching a few lifestyle habits. For instance a healthy diet can help control your blood pressure. Substitute salt for other seasonings and add lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Get at least thirty minutes of physical activity or exercise a day. That doesn’t mean you have to exercise thirty minutes all at once. Ten minutes here and there is just as effective.

Try to keep your stress level at a minimum. High stress can increase your blood pressure so find something that relaxes you and helps you de-stress. Do this whenever you find yourself stressed out beyond your means.

Try to cut back on tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Quitting altogether is more beneficial but isn’t always easy. Remember there are many resources and products available to help you quit either of these habits.

Sometimes these lifestyle changes will not work alone. Your doctor might prescribe you a blood pressure medication if not two. Just talk with your doctor to find out what would be better for you and your blood pressure. Ask any and all questions and if you are taking other medications tell your doctor. Certain medications including oral contraceptives and cold medicines can increase your blood pressure.



Amanda

SANJAY KAK asked:


The high blood pressure in medical term is called Hypertension, which means high pressure in the arteries. As you know arteries are vessels and job of arteries is to carry blood from the heart to all organs of the body. Our heart is working round the clock pumping blood in and out of heart.

The normal blood pressure is considered when you have Systolic reading below 120 and Diastolic reading below 80 (120/80). The high blood pressure in medical term is called hypertension, which means high pressure in the arteries. As you know arteries are vessels and job of arteries is to carry blood from the heart to all organs of the body. Our heart is working round the clock pumping blood in and out of heart.

The combination of both numbers gives us blood pressure of body. The top number is Systolic blood pressure and it corresponds to the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood forward into the arteries. The Systolic pressure reflects the highest pressure to which the arteries are exposed. The bottom number is Diastolic pressure and it corresponds to the pressure in the arteries as the heart takes break after the contraction. The diastolic pressure reflects the lowest pressure to which the arteries are exposed.

Our blood pressure varies throughout the day by exercise, tension, sleep or walking. Any spike in Systolic or Diastolic blood pressure increases chance of heart failure. This can also lead to other diseases such as kidney (renal), arteries getting hardened, blood coming out of eye (vision damage) or brain damage. Considering the affects of high blood pressure or hypertension, it becomes very important to monitor your blood pressure. This will help to diagnose blood pressure problem in early stage and every effort can be made to normalize blood pressure and prevent complications related to hypertension.

What can cause High Blood Pressure?

1. Heart failure can happen due to bigger heart.

2. Small bulges get formed in blood vessels; the common place to form is arteries, which take blood out from heart, or arteries in legs, brain and to other organs in body.

3. Shrinking of blood vessels.

4. The eyes can bleed or burst, which may lead to vision damage.

The high blood pressure doesn’t give any warning, because of this nature it s called as silent killer. This diseases can be countered by Medication, exercise and changes in lifestyle.



Norma

mopar Mike asked:


If blood pressure is the result of blood moving inefficiently or in a restricted manner around your body then how does blood pressure medication go about lowering it ? Does it contain something that expands your arteries ? Or some type of blood thinner ? Or does it merely slow your heart down ? Thanks for your replies

Kathy

OceanBlue0910 asked:


I have been taking hypertension prescriptions for over 5 years. My Blood pressure is normal. How can I control my blood pressure with out taking prescription drugs?

Lynn

newmommie asked:


My dad has high blood pressure and was prescribed some medication to lower it. He has to keep taking it for as long as his doctor tells him it’s ok to stop but his medication (Tarka) is pretty expensive and sometimes he can’t afford it so he just stops taking it. I worry that something might happen to him when he does this. Does anyone know where I can find Tarka for less (he currently pays $72 for a 30 day supply of Tarka 2/240mg) or do you know of a natural way to lower blood pressure?

Kurt