Author asked:


Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of the arteries each time your heart beats. Your blood pressure is highest each time the heart beats, pumping blood into the arteries. This is called systolic pressure, and is the high number in your reading. The diastolic pressure measures the pressure in between beats, when your heart is at rest. Your blood pressure is lowest while sleeping and although it varies some during the day, it remains close to the same. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. If your systolic pressure rises to 140 or above, or if your diastolic pressure rises to 90 or above, this is considered high blood pressure.

According to the American Heart Association, an estimated one in three U.S. adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and an alarming one-third of those don’t even know they have it. It’s no wonder this condition has long been called “the silent killer”.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure. And when it exists with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times. If you don’t have high blood pressure by age 55, your chance of developing it at some point in your life is 90 percent, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Although high blood pressure can occur in both children and adults, it is most common in those over age 35, and is most prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills. Although many people get high blood pressure as they get older, it is not part of the aging process! Proper diet, exercise and lifestyle changes can help in prevention and lowering of blood pressure.

Commonly Prescribed Medication for High Blood Pressure.

In 90–95 percent of cases, research scientists don’t know what causes high blood pressure, but fortunately they know enough to have developed both drug and non-drug products to treat it effectively.

A wide variety of medications are available to medical professionals for treating high blood pressure. Although other classes of medications are sometimes prescribed, the most commonly prescribed can be broken down into five different classes of medications that work in different ways to lower pressure.

· Diuretics (water pills) work in the kidney to get rid of excess water and sodium.

· Beta-Blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels to cause the heart to beat more slowly and with less force.

· Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which would otherwise cause vessels to narrow.

· Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) block the action of angiotensin II.

· Calcium Channel Blockers prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, causing blood vessels to relax.

As of June, 2005, there didn’t appear to be much global agreement among medical experts worldwide in terms of recommended first-line therapy for treating high blood pressure. It is important to note that in June, 2006, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the British Hypertension Society have come to an agreement within the UK, and have issued new guidelines, including important changes to help guide primary care physicians in determining first-line therapy. A major change is that Beta-Blockers, which have been shown to be less effective in preventing strokes and more likely to cause diabetes, are no longer recommended as routine treatment for the majority of people with high blood pressure. Instead, ACE Inhibitors (or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers if there are side effects) are now recommended in the UK for most people, with some exceptions, before trying other classes of medication for hypertension.

As with any medication, there may be side effects from taking ACE Inhibitors, and some should not use them at all, including black people of any age. According to the Mayo Clinic, a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, also in June, 2006, indicated an increased risk of birth defects in children whose mothers took ACE inhibitors during the first trimester, adding to the known risks during the second and third trimesters. While most people can tolerate ACE Inhibitors, some may experience side effects such as cough, elevated blood potassium levels, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, weakness, abnormal taste (metallic or salty taste), and rash. Rare, but more serious side effects include kidney failure, allergic reactions, a decrease in white blood cells, and swelling of tissues (angioedema).

Very similar to ACE Inhibitors are ARB medications, and depending on the individual’s particular health issues, a doctor may switch between the two, and may sometimes prescribe both. The most common side effects with ARBs are cough, elevated potassium levels, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, diarrhea, abnormal taste sensation (metallic or salty taste), and rash. Compared to ACE inhibitors, cough occurs less often with ARBs. The most serious, but rare, side effects are kidney failure, liver failure, allergic reactions, a decrease in white blood cells, and swelling of tissues (angioedema).

On January 19, 2007, Rush University Medical Center reported findings that ACE Inhibitors and ARBs prevent people from getting diabetes, and that diuretics and beta-blockers increase the chance that a person becomes diabetic. The authors pointed out that more studies are required to determine whether new-onset diabetes leads to as many heart attacks, strokes or death, as long-standing diabetes. However, their data suggests that the differences between antihypertensive drugs regarding the risk for new-onset diabetes are real and are significant. Melaleuca offers a natural high blood pressure remedy called ProStolic™ which interacts with a natural body enzyme much like the ACE Inhibitors and ARB medications to relax blood vessels and allow healthy blood flow. As a comparison, it might be helpful to understand how the ACE and ARB class of drugs react, as well as how the non-drug hypertension remedy ProStolic™ formula reacts with the body.

In Part 2 of our Blood Pressure Research Report we will discuss the ACE Inhibitors and Angiotension Receptor Blockers, Natural Therapy for Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure and benefits of Bioactive Casein Hydrolysate Tripeptides VPP and IPP.



Jamie

Rachel Broune asked:


Blood Pressure is a pressure of blood against the walls of a blood vessel or heart chamber. The measurement of the pressure or force inside the blood vessels (arteries) with each beat of the heart. Blood pressure is written as two numbers; the first number, the systolic pressure, is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills the arteries with blood. People with diabetes should aim for a blood pressure of 130 / 80 or lower. High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause health problems such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg. If blood pressure is above 140/90 mm Hg,it is considered to be a high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is measured with a monitor called a sphygmomanometer. This is a digital box attached to a tube with a cuff on the end. The cuff is placed around the upper arm and inflated to a certain level, then deflated slowly. A sensor in the cuff provides information about the blood pressure or a doctor or nurse will listen to the blood flow using a stethoscope.

High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Some people may not find out they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. The good news is that it can be treated and controlled.

Symptoms of Blood Pressure

The symptoms of high blood pressure are hardly traceable. It is very difficult to identify this disease physically as such. But still, some of the general symptoms noticed in most of the patients are:

1) nose bleeding

2) bouts of headache

3) dizziness and fatigue

If high blood pressure is due to phechromocytoma which is a tumor of the adrenal gland, the symptoms may include unstable or rapid heart beats, perspiration, anxiety, headache and paleness.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidney, the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged.

Slightly raised blood pressure may not need to be treated so aggressively, but regular monitoring is important. If you have very severe high blood pressure, you may need to go to hospital for treatment. But it’s much more likely that you will be cared for by your GP and/or a nurse. Blood pressure changes during the day. It is lowest as you sleep and rises when you get up. It also can rise when you are excited, nervous, or active.

According to research studies, the risk of dying of a heart attack is directly linked to blood pressure, especially systolic hypertension. The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk, even with blood pressure in the normal range.



Sandra

Juliet Cohen asked:


High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke, especially when it’s present with other risk factors. High blood pressure can occur in children or adults, but it’s more common among people over age 35. It’s particularly prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills. It may run in families, but many people with a strong family history of high blood pressure never have it. High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Affecting approximately one in four adults in the United States, hypertension is clearly a major public health problem.

High blood pressure is called the silent killer. High blood pressure typically develops without signs or symptoms. and it affects nearly everyone eventually. There are two levels of high blood pressure: stage 1 and stage 2. It is less common in younger adults. Most cases are mildly high (up to 160/100 mmHg). However, at least 1 in 20 adults have blood pressure of 160/100 mmHg or above. High blood pressure is more common in people with diabetes. About 3 in 10 people with Type 1 diabetes and more than half of people with Type 2 diabetes eventually develop high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a ‘risk factor’ for developing a cardiovascular disease , and kidney damage, sometime in the future. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but it can cause serious problems with such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. It is estimated that one in every four American adults has high blood pressure. Some people can prevent or control high blood pressure by changing to healthier habits.

Calcium channel blockers may work better for blacks than do ACE inhibitors or beta blockers alone. Some medicines lower blood pressure by removing extra fluid and salt from your body. Others affect blood pressure by slowing down the heartbeat or by relaxing and widening blood vessels. Diuretics are sometimes called water pills. They work by helping your kidneys flush excess water and salt from your body. Beta blockers help your heart beat slower and with less force. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors keep your body from making a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are newer blood pressure medicines that protect your blood vessels from angiotensin II. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of your heart and blood vessels. Vasodilators open blood vessels by directly relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls, causing blood pressure to go down.

High Blood Pressure Treatment Tips

1. Diuretics are sometimes called water pills. They work by helping your kidneys flush excess water and salt from your body.

2. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors keep your body from making a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow.

3. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are newer blood pressure medicines that protect your blood vessels from angiotensin II.

4. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of your heart and blood vessels.

5. Alpha-beta blockers reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels the same way alpha blockers do, but they also slow the heartbeat, as beta blockers do.

6. Nervous system inhibitors relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses from the brain.

7. Vasodilators open blood vessels by directly relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls, causing blood pressure to go down.

8. Alpha-beta blockers- reducing nerve impulses to blood vessels, alpha-beta blockers slow the heartbeat to reduce the amount of blood.



Lydia

Patricia Church asked:


Do you know what your blood pressure is? If not, you should! High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the number one risk factor for death and debilitation from a stroke. Longstanding hypertension can also damage the heart muscle, causing a condition known as congestive heart failure, in which the heart’s ability to squeeze and pump blood throughout the body is impaired. When this occurs, fluid can back up into the lungs, legs and throughout the body, leading to shortness of breath, weakness and potential renal failure. High blood pressure can also contribute to the development of coronary artery disease, causing the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle to become clogged. Coronary artery disease, in the form of a “heart attack” is a leading cause of death in the United States.

Systolic blood pressure, the top number of the blood pressure reading, indicates the amount of force exerted explosively against the blood vessel walls each time the heart contracts and pumps out blood. Diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number of the reading, indicates the amount of pressure constantly present in the arteries when the heart is at rest and is filling with blood in preparation for the next contraction. The old standard for the upper end of a “normal” blood pressure reading was 140/90. That number has recently been revised, and at this time medical experts recommend the “normal” blood pressure should be kept at or below 120/70.

Because of these potentially serious health risks associated with hypertension, it’s a good idea for everyone to be aware of what their own blood pressure reading normally is. Hypertension doesn’t announce its presence with a fever, stomach pain or bleeding, which is why it is often referred to as the “silent killer”. Even seemingly healthy people can have high blood pressure, and not know it. Certainly individuals who do have identifiable risk factors for hypertension – like smoking, obesity, poor diet, excess sodium consumption, growing older (oops … that’s all of us!) should be aware that they are at risk for experiencing the consequences of chronic hypertension. The only way to find out for sure, however, is to have it checked. Unfortunately, many people only have their blood pressure taken when they are sitting in the doctor’s office in a skimpy gown, anxiously waiting for the exam room door to open. Of course, under these conditions, whose blood pressure wouldn’t be a little high? There is actually a term for this – it’s called “white coat syndrome”, because the anxiety experienced under these circumstances nearly always causes the blood pressure readings to be higher than they would in normal, more relaxed situations. The “white coat” blood pressure measurements may be inadequate to accurately assess what a person’s typical blood pressure reading is.

Usually, blood pressure readings are lowest in the morning when a person is first getting out of bed. It is quite typical for there to be many variations in blood pressure throughout the day related to anxiety, stress, activity, eating, sleep and relaxation. More accurate than the occasional reading taken in the doctor’s office, then, would be a regular measurement taken under similar circumstances, at the same time of day, in a relaxed environment.

Good news! Relaxed and more reliable blood pressure readings are now possible. There are quite a number of inexpensive blood pressure measuring devices available that are pretty easy to use at home.

Type #1: A digital monitor: Because the digital monitor is automatic, it is the most popular blood-pressure measuring device. The blood pressure measurement is easy to read, because the numbers are shown on a screen. Some electronic monitors even have a paper printout that gives you a record of the blood pressure reading.

The digital monitor is easier to use than the usual cuff and stethoscope system. It has a gauge and stethoscope in one unit, and the numbers are easy to read. It also has an error indicator, and deflation is automatic. Inflation of the cuff is either automatic or manual, depending on the model. This blood pressure monitoring device is good for hearing-impaired patients, since there is no need to listen to heart sounds through the stethoscope.

A disadvantage of the digital monitor is that the accuracy can be affected by body movements or an irregular heart rate. In addition, the monitor requires batteries. Some models are designed for use with the left arm only. This may make them hard for some patients to use. Finally, some digital monitors are expensive. They range in price from about $30 to over $100.

Type #2: A finger / wrist blood pressure monitor? Tests have shown that finger/wrist devices may not measure blood pressure as precisely as those devices that measure on the arm. The key to utilizing the results from these devices is to be very careful to follow the exact instructions for arm placement and positioning. Also, using the same device, with the same arm and body positioning, and measuring at the same time of the day will give consistent readings to use for comparison on a day to day basis. Many of these home models are priced less than $50.00. Important features to look for in a blood pressure monitor Make sure to get the proper cuff size. Blood pressure readings will be incorrect if your cuff is the wrong size, so ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to tell you the cuff size you need, based on the size of your arm. The numbers on the monitor must be easy for you to read. If you are using a stethoscope, you must be able to hear heart sounds through it.

Cost may be an important factor. Since home blood pressure units vary in price, you may have to shop around. The most expensive units might not be the best or the most accurate. Once you buy your monitor, take it to your doctor’s office to be checked for accuracy. Be aware that proper care and storage are also necessary. Make sure the tubing is not twisted when the monitor is stored, and keep it away from heat. Periodically check the tubing for cracks and leaks. Ask your doctor or nurse to teach you how to use your blood pressure monitor correctly.

Taking daily measurements and keeping a record to present to the doctor at each visit will enable him/her to better evaluate your “normal” blood pressure and to determine appropriate treatment measures. The American Heart Association has developed a blood pressure tracker that I highly recommend. I urge each of you to log on, sign up and begin to utilize this tool. At your next visit, bring these results for your doctor to review. This will insure that your next doctor visit will be a less anxious “white coat” situation, and more to the point of meeting your health needs.

You may wonder why I have gone into such detail about hypertension. Both of my parents have high blood pressure. My own blood pressure tends to run on the high side. My wonderful sister, Susan had high blood pressure, and was on daily medication at the age of 37. She died at age 38, in part, because an aneurism in her brain that had probably been there for many years ruptured. That rupture, and her ultimate death may very well have been prevented if she had not been extremely overweight and if her blood pressure had not been so high.

It’s one of my missions in life to help others become more healthy and to live a better life. Hypertension is one very big problem for a lot of people. The first step is to raise awareness and to develop an understanding of what the problem is. Now …go to the American Heart Association blood pressure tracker, log on and begin to monitor your own blood pressure readings.



Amanda

Paul Rodgers asked:


It is often called the “silent killer” because it can damage your heart, kidney, and brain, even though you feel no symptoms. Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs. If your blood pressure is normal, you can work with your health care team to keep it that way. If your blood pressure is too high, you need treatment to prevent damage to your body’s organs. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makesthe heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Blood pressure is a measure of how hard the blood pushes against the walls of your arteries as it moves through your body.

The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. It causes around 50% of coronary heart disease, and approximately 75% of strokes. Hypertension can be especially hard to manage when combined with other disorders, such as diabetes or obesity. Although high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause headaches, dizziness and problems with vision, the majority of people with the condition do not display any noticeable symptoms. It is good to be asking about normal blood pressure values for children because most people think “high” blood pressure (hypertension) is something that only happens to adults. High blood pressure often does not cause any symptoms in children, but if not treated, it can cause serious health problems in the future.

Doctors do not know what causes high blood pressure in 90 to 95 percent of people who have it. In about 10 percent of patients, the disease can be traced to specific causes: heredity, kidney abnormalities, adrenal gland tumors, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hormone abnormalities, use of birth control pills, pregnancy or a congenital narrowing of the aorta. Other possible causes of higher blood pressure are weight gain and decreased physical activity in winter. The nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products causes your blood vessels to constrict and your heart to beat faster, which temporarily raises your blood pressure. In some people, alcohol causes blood pressure to rise quite a lot.

The key for any high blood pressure treatment is to bring the condition under proper control. Treatment depends on how high your blood pressure is, whether you have other health problems such as diabetes, and whether any organs have already been damaged. Treatment begins with changes you can make to your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease (see the box below). You want to achieve your treatment goal, but sometimes it seems your blood pressure just doesn’t want to budge. You and your doctor can carefully review your treatment and lifestyle to see what’s going on. For hypertension that isn’t controlled by diet and exercise, new treatment guidelines for hypertension recommend that most patients be started on a thiazide-type diuretic, unless there is a compelling need for a different class of medications.

So high blood pressure is a condition that most people have at some point in their lives. You should always have an idea of what your blood pressure is, just as you know your height and weight. However, the biggest problem with treatment of high blood pressure is not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of the application of our current knowledge.

 

Having high cholesterol increases your probability of having a heart attack and/or stroke. With its circulatory-supporting nutrients, Resterol is your natural means for preventing health complications caused by elevated cholesterol.

 

 



Stephanie

Armughan Riaz asked:


This article will furnish you comprehensive Dietary Advice For Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Blood Pressure Levels. Here you will find Diet Tips To Reduce Blood Pressure

Diet For High Blood Pressure and Hypertension, Relation Between Diet and Blood Pressure

If you have Bad eating habits then it contributes significantly to unhealthily high blood pressure levels, even in middle age, when blood pressure levels typically rise as part of the aging process. Whether or not you are taking antihypertensive drugs, the need to make dietary improvements (eg. follow a healthy low-fat diet) is frequently at the top of a doctor’s list of recommendations to reduce or prevent the onset of high blood pressure. Before outlining the best type of diet for hypertension, let’s take a brief look at health consequences of raised blood pressure.

Hazards of Hypertension & High Blood Pressure

In under developed as well as developed countries, an estimated 20-40 percent of all adults suffer from persistent high blood pressure. High blood pressure puts a strain on the heart causing atherosclerosis(Thickenning of vessels). Result is damage to heart, Coronary artery disease, Kidney failure, Strok, Eye damage. Choice is yours, try to save these vital organs by controlling your BP. Remember Hypertension is a silent Killer, it shows its effects silently and when you come to know that you have BP, by that time hypertension often affects your vital organs.

Normal Blood Pressure Levels vs. Prehypertensive and Hypertensive

Normal blood pressure of an healthy adult at rest, is 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic) or less. Blood pressure levels greater than 120/80 and below 140/90 are at prehypertensive stage, while levels above 140/90 are considered hypertensive stage. Both prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects should make diet, exercise and lifestyle changes to reduce or prevent the onset of hypertension and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Weight increases blood Pressure

Over weight persons will be having high blood pressure. Weight reduction significantly decreases blood pressure.People with obesity double their risk of developing the disorder. In addition, roughly 7 out of 10 obese adults suffer from high blood pressure. If you lose even 10 pounds can produce noticeable improvements.

Dietary Advice and Tips For High Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure and not overweight, here are few tips to control your BP.

Choose A Healthy Balanced Diet

If you want to reduce your blood pressure, your diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods, while low in saturated and trans-fats. It should also be low in cholesterol, high in fiber, calcium,potassium and magnesium, and moderately high in protein. The American Heart Association and U.S. government recommend the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet as a good diet guide to reduce blood pressure.

First thing is to Reduce Your Intake of Sodium (Salt)

How salt intake increases blood pressure. Eating too much salt or sodium-rich foods leads to a greater uptake of fluid and causes greater retension of water inside body, leads to volume overloard and High blood presure. It also places extra strain on the arterioles (blood vessels that dilate/constrict to regulate blood pressure and blood flow). Both these effects lead to higher blood pressure. The Recoomended daily dose for sodium for most people is 2,400 mg.

You can Reduce Sodium Intake

How can you decrease sodium intake? Eat less pre-cooked or processed food, and eat more fresh food. Sodium is found naturally in fresh foods like grains, fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, and dairy products, but in much lower quantities than in processed foods (eg. packet, bottled or canned food).

High Sodium Foods

These foods typically have a high sodium content. In order not to exceed the RDA, either avoid them altogether, or choose low-sodium varieties.

Sauces: baking soda, barbecue sauce, catsup, garlic salt, mustard, onion salt,Soy sauce, steak sauce, salad dressing, baking powder, mustard, onion salt, seasoned salts like lemon pepper, bouillon cubes, meat tenderizer, and monosodium glutamate.

Salted Snacks: peanuts, pretzels, pork rinds. Tortilla chips, corn chips

Soup: instant soups, Regular canned soups.

Pickled Food: Olives, or sauerkraut, Herring, pickles, relish,

Meats: smoked or cured meats (containing sodium-nitrite) such as bacon, bologna, hot dogs, ham, corned beef, luncheon meats, and sausage, Hogmaws, ribs, and chitterlings,.

Dairy: Most cheese spreads and cheeses.

Drinks: club soda, saccharin-flavored soda,

Cereals: Instant hot cereals, Regular ready to eat cold cereals,

Ready-to-Eat: boxed mixes like rice, scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese and some frozen dinners, pot pies and pizza. Quick cook rice, instant noodles,

Fats: Butter, fatback, and salt pork.

Check Labels of Food Containers:

Choose those foods which labeled as low-sodium, very low sodium, or salt-free. Check food labels for words that indicate a high sodium content, including: sodium nitrite, sodium proprionate, disodium phosphate, and sodium sulfate., monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide,

Lower Sodium Eating Habits

Do not add extra salt when cooking or preparing meals. Cook with more herbs and spices.

Do not have salt on the table while eating do not add salt on salad.

If you cook with salt, switch to chili, ginger and lemon juice for flavoring.

If you eat cured/smoked meats, switch to fresh cold meats.

If you eat ready-to-serve breakfast cereal, choose low-sodium types of cereal.

Rinse before eating, If you eat tuna, salmon, sardines, or mackerel canned in water.

If you eat soup, switch to low-sodium or fresh soups.

If you cook with whole milk or fat diet, switch to 1 percent or skimmed buttermilk.

Remember taking less salt diet, Your BP will be in normal Limits.

If you want to know more about High Blood Pressure Diet Visit our website.



Melvin

Rakhi Chowdhary asked:


Are you health conscious??? If you have a better idea to reduce high blood pressure, let us know, your views and comments will be appreciated. High blood pressure, commonly known as Hypertension/arterial hypertension is a state of body in which blood pressure in your body is chronically increased. In this techno world, hypertension is the most common disease, people are becoming careless and life has become so fast that very few of us are truly health conscious. With digitization of world, moving towards automation from manual systems, fast food has become way of life. Truth is that today we are not able to intake fresh food – vegetables and fruits that we consume all have high concentration of chemicals and pesticides that indirectly affect our health. But in case you are unaware about blood pressure then this is the right time to have a better understanding about blood pressure. Blood pressure also known as vascular pressure relates to the force applied by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. In medical terms, it can be defined as the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries.

The important factor to note is that every time your heart beats, it impels out blood into the arteries. The heart which acts as a vital muscular pump applies the pressure to circulate the blood throughout the body. The blood vessels called arteries have resilient walls and so provide some resistance during the flow of blood. Thus, there is pressure in the system, even between heartbeats. Blood pressure alters during the day and it gets lower when you sleep and rises when you get up. It may rise when you are excited or tensed.

Now, blood pressure is calculated in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and BP reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. However, BP of 140/90 mmHg or higher is measured arterial hypertension and commonly known as “Silent Killer”. Any individual with arterial hypertension can be very dangerous and is one of major risk factors for Stroke, Heart Attack or Kidney Damage. Moreover, hypertension is the next major threat for congestive heart failure. In congestive heart failure the pumping power of heart gets lowered, beating gets harder and harder and as a result heart losses its ability to pump sufficient blood to meet up the body’s requirements. In addition to this high BP can also lead to burst of eyes blood vessels. Therefore it becomes very important to control high BP.

The frequency of people suffering from high BP increases naturally with age and can be often related to lifestyle habits. Ayurvedic health care acts as anti-hypertensive for maintaining pressure of blood in your body. These days most doctors advise patients to re-establish your BP 80/120 level by making changes in lifestyle. Some of the natural and effective ways to bring down rising pressure of blood are:

1. Reduce salt intake: Now it is very important to understand that high consumption of salt is directly linked to high blood pressure. Commit yourself to consume not more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day, which estimates around 1 teaspoon of salt. You can lower your sodium intake by eating less processed and fast foods.

2. Quit smoking: The nicotine in cigarettes makes your blood vessels to compress and heart to beat faster, which automatically results in raising your blood pressure. If you are a smoker then make sure to quit smoking. By quitting you can keep your blood pressure in line and this in turn helps in reducing the threat of cardiovascular disease.

3. Reduce your extra body weight: Make sure your body weight does not exceed; it should be proportionate to your height. As per recent studies it has been proved that high blood pressure has a direct link to overweight. The more weight you have, higher is the chance of having high blood pressure. Keeping weight off is one of the most vital tactics for calculating blood pressure. Even losing a pound in a week can be a noteworthy step in the right direction.

4. Limit alcohol consumption: This is one of the most important ways to reduce high blood pressure. It is important to understand; in case of healthy people alcohol does not cause hypertension while in some it does not. If you drink alcohol try to have limited consumption 1 or 2 drinks per day. If your blood pressure rises with alcohol, it is better to avoid drinking alcohol.

5. Do exercise regularly: Regular exercise helps in lowering your blood pressure. It further helps in lowering cholesterol, and stress management. Perform any activity that you enjoy like walking, jogging, or swimming. Initially start your work-out slowly and then work your way up to 30-60 minute sessions of moderate exercise each week. Then, slowly begin aerobic exercise into your daily life; increase the time and intensity at a speed and try for at least 30-minute workout in most days of the week.

According to recent studies the ratio of high blood pressure is increasing day by day and because it does not show any symptoms most of the nearly don’t know they have high blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to various disease so have proper medical check up and normal blood pressure to live a healthy life. Healthy lifestyle is key of maintain your blood pressure, give away your tension.



Michelle

Alisha Dhamani asked:


Low blood pressure is a difficult clinical finding for a healthcare provider to address. While high blood pressure is known as the “silent killer,” because it is associated with few acute symptoms, hypotension (hypo=low + tension=pressure) may be normal for a patient if it is without symptoms, but can be of great importance if it is associated with abnormal body function.

Sometimes low is good, a goal to be achieved in keeping blood pressure under control. Sometimes low is bad because there is not enough pressure to provide blood flow to the organs of the body.

For low blood pressure to be a problem there needs to be a symptom associated with that low number. Readings below 120/80 may be normal depending upon the clinical situation. Many people have systolic blood pressures below 100, but some people develop symptoms with pressures that low. Symptoms of low blood pressure occur because one or more of the body’s organs is not getting enough blood supply.

If low blood pressure is the normal state for a patient, then there will be no symptoms. If low blood pressure is symptomatic, then the patient may feel lightheaded, dizzy and weak, short of breath, or have chest pain. The symptoms will depend upon which organ in the body is lacking adequate blood flow.

Blood pressure readings have two parts and are expressed as a ratio. “Normal” blood pressure, for example is 120/80 (120 over 80) and measures the pressure within the arteries of the body. Systolic pressure, the upper number, measures the pressure within the arteries when the heart is contracting (systole) to pump blood to the body. Diastole pressure, the lower number, measures resting pressures within the arteries, when the heart is at rest.

Normal blood pressure depends on many factors including age and body size. Infants and children have lower normal readings than adults. Smaller or petite patients may have lower normal blood pressure ranges.

According to American Heart Association guidelines, any reading greater than 120/80 is considered pre-hypertension or early high blood pressure.

You can think of the heart and the blood vessels (arteries and veins) as a system to pump blood, just like the oil pump in your car. Oil is pumped through rigid tubes. Pressure remains relatively constant throughout the pumping cycle unless the pump fails or there is an oil leak. Then oil pressure will fall.

The body is similar, except that the tubes have pliable walls, meaning that the space within the arteries can get bigger or smaller. If the space gets bigger, there is effectively less fluid, and pressure falls. If the space gets smaller, pressure goes up. Arteries have layers of muscles within their walls that can contract and narrow the artery, making less space inside the vessels.

Alternatively, the muscles can relax and dilate the artery, making more room. These muscles are under the control of the autonomic nervous system, the body’s automatic system that makes adjustments for moment-to-moment changes in the relationship of the body to the world. The autonomic nervous system has two pathways that balance each other.

The sympathetic nervous system uses adrenaline (epinephrine) to cause the muscles to contract (sympathetic tone). The nerves that help with this control are located in the sympathetic trunk, which is a group of nerves that runs alongside the spinal column. The parasympathetic system uses acetylcholine to make muscles in the blood vessel walls relax via the vagus nerve.

As an example, when you stand up, the blood vessels have to narrow just a little to cause a slight increase in blood pressure, so that blood can travel uphill to the brain. Without that change, you might feel lightheaded or pass out.

If low blood pressure causes clinical symptoms, the cause will be in one of three general categories. Either the heart is not pumping with enough pressure, the artery walls are too dilated, or there is not enough intravascular fluid (intra=within + vascular= blood vessels) within the system.

The heart is an electrical pump. Problems with either the pump or the electricity can cause problems with low blood pressure.

The valves of the heart allow blood to flow in only one direction. If a valve fails, blood can regurgitate backwards, minimizing the amount that will flow out to the body. If a valve becomes narrowed (stenotic), then blood flow may be decreased. Both situations may cause hypotension.

If the heart beats too quickly, blood pressure may fall because there isn’t enough time for the heart to refill in between each beat (diastole). If the heart beats too slowly, there may be too much time spent in diastole when blood is not flowing.

If the heart muscle has been damaged or irritated, there may not be enough pumping force to maintain blood pressure. In heart attack (myocardial infarction), enough heart muscle may be stunned so that the heart is too weak to pump effectively.

Diuretic medications [for example, hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril), furosemide (Lasix)] are used to control blood pressure by causing the kidneys to make more urine and decreasing the intravascular volume. If the patient loses too much water and becomes dehydrated, low blood pressure may result.

Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are two commonly prescribed medications used for the treatment of high blood pressure. They may cause the heart to beat too slowly and thus cause hypotension. Any heart medication needs to be monitored by a healthcare provider to evaluate the body’s response and to select the appropriate dose.

Medications like sildenafil (Viagra) in combination with nitroglycerin may cause blood vessel dilation and low blood pressure.

Normal physiologic changes in pregnancy increase the intravascular space, especially in the first two trimesters, and can cause lower blood pressure. One of the complications of diabetes is damage to the nerves in the body, including those in the autonomic nervous system.

In those people with diabetes who have autonomic dysfunction, orthostatic hypotension can occur. The blood vessels are unable to adjust to quick positional changes.

If low blood pressure causes lack of blood flow to the organs of the body, then those organs will start to fail. This may result in stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and bowel ischemia (decreased blood supply to the small and large intestine). Shock and death are the end result of prolonged low blood pressure.



Steve

Peter Rodrick asked:


Blood pressure is the measure of the pressure against the walls of the arteries. There are two forces that form blood pressure. One of the forces is created when the heart pumps blood into the arteries through the circulatory system. The other force is due to the arteries as they resist the flow of blood. Blood pressure is always stated in two numbers, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. The higher number is systolic pressure which represents the pressure while heart contracts to pump the blood to the body. The lower number is the diastolic pressure which represents the pressure when heart relaxes between the beats.

What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?

High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure or tension within the arteries. Arteries are the vessels that carry blood from heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. High blood pressure usually has no visible symptoms. There are lots of people whose blood pressures are high, but they do not realize it until it is too late. For this reason, high blood pressure is also called as the silent killer. Hypertension damages the blood vessels. This in turn risks heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. So it is very necessary for one to reduce blood pressure.

Methods to Reduce Blood Pressure

Various scientific studies have shown that following are some of the effective ways one could reduce blood pressure:

1. Weight loss if obese or overweight : It is very important for one to reduce weight if one is obese or overweight. Weight impacts the strain on the heart which disturbs the pumping of blood due to which the pressure increases.

2. Restriction on intake of sodium : The intake of sodium should be restricted or in limit as sodium increases the blood pressure. Sodium intake causes water retention in the body. It is advisable to check the labels of the food packets like potato chips, bread, cheese, etc before buying them. Sodium mustn’t be there in the ingredients. Limit intake of sodium to 1,500 to 2,400 milligrams per day.

3. Increase intake of potassium, magnesium and calcium : A proper intake of minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium helps proper functioning of heart, due to which blood circulation increases and chances of high blood pressure decreases.

4. Reduce or stop intake of alcohol : Avoid alcohol as much as possible. If you cannot avoid it completely, you must limit it to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.

5. Limit intake of caffeine : Excessive intake of caffeine creates acidity causing stress on heart. This stress may increase the blood pressure.

6. Regular physical exercise : Regular exercise not only increases the blood circulation but also helps in maintaining the weight. It helps the body to perform its functions normally.

7. Increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables and fiber rich food : Increase in consumption of fruits, vegetables and fiber rich foods increases the energy required for the body to perform activity.

8. Cut down high cholesterol and high fat foods : Cholesterol and fats build up blocks in the heart which reduces the circulation of blood from the heart.

9. Stop smoking and stop intake of tobacco : Cigarettes contains nicotine. Nicotine and tobacco causes blood vessels to constrict and your heart to beat faster, which raises your blood pressure.

10. Reduce stress in your life : Reduce the stress in your life as much as possible by relaxation technique, biofeedback or just by avoiding stressful situations and conditions.

Reduce Blood Pressure – Some Treatment Approaches

To treat patient with blood pressure, one should be check if the patient is diabetic or not.

Diabetes increases the chances of cardiovascular disease. So control of blood pressure in diabetes is tougher. The goals for treatment in blood pressure are:-

For diabetic patients:

Systolic pressure: less than 140mg

Diastolic pressure: less than 85mg

For non-diabetic patients:

Systolic pressure: less than 130mg

Diastolic pressure: less than 80mg

Medicinal methods that are used to treat patient with blood pressure are:

1. ACE inhibitors : ACE inhibitors stop the production of hormone called angiotensin. Angiotensin causes the narrowing of blood vessels. ACE inhibitors expand the blood vessels and improve the blood flow.

2. Beta blockers : Beta blockers block the effect of hormone adrenaline and help in conditioning the nervous system of the body. Due to this the heart relaxes and beats slowly and thus the blood pressure reduces.

3. Alpha blockers : It causes blood vessels to widen and relax. It is generally a good combination with beta blockers for effect on resistance of circulation.

4. Calcium channel blockers : It reduces the muscle tension in the arteries, expanding them and creating more room for blood circulation. It also relaxes the heart muscles, reducing the blood pressure.

5. Diuretics : It helps to get rid of salts and excessive fluids through kidney. Helping the blood vessels to relax and reducing strain on blood circulation.



Carol

alistol asked:


High Blood pressure is known to be the silent killer by the medical practitioners as; it risks life without any warning. Without any serious symptoms and major complications it attacks the human body. Being unrecognized for years it brings severe perils like heart attack, kidney failure and stroke. Beware, silent is not gold in all the cases.

Technically, high blood pressure can be defined as the increased pressure of blood in the wall of the arteries. When arteries carry the blood pumped by the heart, blood flows with a resisting force towards the arteries. Hypertension or high blood pressure is the product of the flow of blood times the resistance in the blood vessels.

Facts about High Blood Pressure

• Uncontrolled blood pressure is the key to deaths, causing from heart failure and other heart diseases.

• The disease remains unrecognized for years as it has no proper symptoms or signs.

• Only way to detect the disease is measuring the blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high.

• Not only stressed and tensed but also a normal healthy person can have high blood pressure.

• Person having a family history of hypertension or high blood pressure is more vulnerable to the disease.

• There is a myth about high blood pressure that it is not a disease but it is and as risky as any other severe disease.

• Smoking heavily, stressed lifestyle, obesity, high cholesterol diet and excessive use of stimulants are the master keys to the high blood pressure.

• High blood pressure is a factor in 67 percent of heart attacks all over the world.

• The key to prevent high blood pressure is a disciplined and healthy lifestyle.

Reasons behind the High Blood Pressure

What actually causes high blood pressure? Still a difficult question to answer as there are no certain reasons defined. Some of the most common reasons observed are chain smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol, mental stress, obesity etc. In some cases genetic factors, consumption of contraceptive pills, pain relievers, thyroid disease, diabetes, and kidney problem are present in the roots of developing high blood pressure.

Signs or Symptoms

No proper symptom but a lot of complications coming to the body is the most striking fact about the high blood pressure. The only way to detect high blood pressure is to

measure the blood pressure. Some most common symptoms are-

? Nervousness

? Fatigue and weakness

? Restlessness

? Insomnia

? Nose bleeding

? Emotional instability

? Dizziness

Treatment and Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose the high blood pressure by measuring the blood pressure and to keep it in control with proper medicines. They have to find out the reason responsible in a particular case for the high blood pressure. Their ultimate goal is to reduce systolic pressure of less than 140mmHg. Blood pressure is monitored regularly at specific time intervals until it is under control or to the normal level. Compounds used for the treatment are ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, Beta-blockers, Alpha-blockers, Calcium-channel blockers etc.

Reduce your chances of getting High Blood Pressure

Living a healthy lifestyle is your mantra to prevent high blood pressure. To minimize your chances of getting high blood pressure it is necessary to take some initial measures. Some key points are as follows:

? Reduce smoking as it is the most severe factor for high blood pressure.

? Intake of fiber rich diet can reduce the risks.

? Exercise regularly keeps your blood circulation regular.

? Avoid alcohol consumption as much as possible.

? Try to intake only medically prescript high-blood-pressure medicines.

? Try to use some herbal blood pressure reducing supplements which do not have any side effects.



Eddie