The Truth You Need to Know About Your High Blood Pressure
The blood pressure in your arteries is the force that pumps blood to all parts of your body. The higher blood pressure, the harder your heart has to work and the more likely you are to have a stroke or...
The blood pressure in your arteries is the force that pumps blood to all parts of your body. The higher blood pressure, the harder your heart has to work and the more likely you are to have a stroke or aneurysm.
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The truth we need to know about high blood pressure: It’s not just a number! High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can be well controlled with lifestyle changes like weight loss and exercise, as well as medication when necessary. Unfortunately, many people don’t take their blood pressure seriously until they get an illness or injury related to it, but this could lead them down a dangerous path.
It's important for everyone at risk of high blood pressure to know their blood pressure numbers and how they compare to the normal blood pressure levels in healthy adults.
You may not know this, but blood pressure is actually a number that can be written in two ways.
The first way is the systolic blood pressure, which measures the blood pressure when your heart beats. The other way to measure blood pressure is by diastolic blood pressure, which measures the blood pressure when you are at rest or between heartbeats. The normal range for both of these numbers would be less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury. Blood pressures between those two numbers are now considered pre-hypertension, which means you're at risk for high blood pressure if left untreated.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
There are many different causes of high blood pressure including: obesity and excess weight gain; diabetes; kidney disease; chronic alcohol consumption; smoking; and many others. However, there is no cause for blood pressure that you can change on your own. That's why it's important to see your doctor regularly to keep blood pressure under control and prevent the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The Negative Effects That High Blood Pressure Has on The Body
The blood pressure is one of the most important measure for cardiovascular health. The blood pressure can be defined as the force exerted on blood vessels by blood flowing through them. It has two measurements: systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic blood pressure reading measures the force that blood exerts while it's being pumped from your heart, and diastolic blood pressure measures how much your heart relaxes between beats.
Nowadays, many people suffer from high blood pressure which can lead to death if not taken care of properly. High blood pressure also increases risk of stroke or heart disease because it forces small arteries in other parts of body to narrow down more than usual causing excessive workload on organs such as kidneys, brain and eyes etc. So how much blood pressure is too high? A blood pressure reading of 120/80 or higher is considered as hypertension and can cut at least 10 years from your life expectancy. Many people don't know about blood pressure and this condition can be easily managed. So now you know that blood pressure needs to be taken seriously by every person because it can result in heart attack or stroke.
How to Combat High Blood Pressure With Diet, Lifestyle, And Appropriate Medication
High blood pressure is a common problem, and if it's not treated, it can lead to serious health problems. But there are many ways to combat high blood pressure, including diet, lifestyle changes, and medication. Here are the steps you need to take to get your blood pressure under control.
Techniques to Lower Blood Pressure
1. Eat food high in potassium, calcium, and magnesium for blood pressure control
Studies show that increasing your intake of foods rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium can lower blood pressure. Some examples are bananas , leafy green vegetables like spinach , dairy products like milk and yogurt , orange juice fortified with calcium, beans, fish with edible bones , and oatmeal .
2. Increase your blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory, which makes them effective blood pressure fighters. Eat more cold water oily fish like salmon , tuna , trout , or sardines to get blood pressure benefits. You can also get blood pressure benefits from fish oil supplements . Or eat more walnuts , flaxseeds, and soybeans.
3. Drink green tea regularly for blood pressure control
Green tea is rich in compounds called catechins that have blood pressure lowering effects. They prevent the blood vessels from narrowing, which boosts blood flow to your heart and brain. If you don't like green tea, consider taking blood pressure supplements that contain catechins.
4. Exercise regularly to control blood pressure
Regular physical activity helps control blood pressure because it reduces blood vessel narrowing and boosts blood flow throughout your body. Try to schedule exercise every day, but if you can only fit in a few workouts per week, that's better than nothing. Also, exercise releases endorphins in the brain, which naturally reduce blood pressure.
5. If you smoke cigarettes, stop immediately
Smoking is a major blood pressure causer because it constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow throughout your body. If you can't quit on your own, consider consulting a doctor about smoking cessation medications that can help you stop.
7. Get blood pressure treatment as needed
If your blood pressure is high despite your best efforts, then it's time to talk with your doctor about blood pressure medications . If lifestyle changes don't bring blood pressure under control, then medication will be necessary to prevent serious blood vessel damage and heart disease.
8. Get blood pressure testing regularly if necessary
If blood pressure medications are necessary, then you'll probably need to get blood pressure tests once every year or two at your doctor's office. Make sure to keep all appointments so that you can monitor blood pressure changes in between blood pressure screenings. Because high blood pressure might cause no symptoms, it's important to keep blood pressure screenings on a regular schedule.
9. Eat less sodium and drink less alcohol for blood pressure control
Sodium causes blood vessels to narrow, which elevates blood pressure even more than eating too much salt would alone. Avoid salty foods like pickles , olives , soup mixes and bouillon cubes , and fast food. Instead, eat more fresh foods that are naturally low in sodium. If your blood pressure is high despite eating healthy, then talk with your doctor about blood pressure medications .
Drinking too much alcohol over time can cause blood vessel narrowing and elevated blood pressure. If you're trying to control blood pressure through diet and lifestyle changes, avoid alcohol as much as possible. If blood pressure is still high despite eating healthy, then talk with your doctor about blood pressure medications .
Remember that blood pressure control involves a lot more than taking blood pressure medications and visiting your doctor regularly. You can also help to lower blood pressure with diet and lifestyle changes. By following the advice in this post, you can say goodbye to blood pressure problems permanently.
CONCLUSION
High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and even death. However, it's important to remember that high blood pressure is largely preventable. There are many things you can do to keep your blood pressure under control, including making lifestyle changes and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor. If you have high blood pressure, don't hesitate to seek treatment. With the help of your doctor, you can manage your blood pressure and protect yourself from the potentially devastating consequences of this disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the normal blood pressure?
Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). For people with high blood pressure, the target blood pressure range is less than 140/90 mmHg.
2. How do you know if you have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure doesn't always have symptoms, so it's important to get your blood pressure checked regularly. Many people have high blood pressure and don't know it because they don't feel sick. Some people with high blood pressure may feel a slight headache or dizziness, but often there are no symptoms.
3. What are the risk factors for high blood pressure?
Risk factors for high blood pressure include being overweight or obese, eating too much salt, not getting enough exercise, smoking and drinking too much alcohol. If you have one or more of these risk factors, ask your doctor how often you should be screened for high blood pressure.
4. What are the risks of having high blood pressure?
High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and organs in the body, including the heart, kidneys, eyes and brain. It can also lead to stroke, heart attack and other health problems.
5. Is blood pressure hereditary?
Contrary to old-fashioned blood pressure myths, blood pressure is not hereditary. In other words, it can't be passed from parent to child.
6. Does caffeine cause high blood pressure?
Caffeine can cause your blood pressure to rise in the short term, but this effect goes away soon after you stop drinking caffeinated beverages. Your blood pressure may go up when you drink caffeinated drinks because caffeine is a stimulant that increases blood flow throughout the body.
Therefore, people who are at risk for high blood pressure should limit how much caffeine they consume. And if your blood pressure is already elevated or even if it's normal avoid caffeinating beverages before physical activity so the blood flowing means an increased chance of dizziness and/or heart palpitations.