High Blood Pressue and How to Control It

What You Should Know about High Blood Pressure!

High blood pressure or hypertension can cause injury to the brain, the eyes (retinopathy) and the kidneys (nephropathy). If left untreated it can lead to stroke or heart attack.

Your amazing and industrius heart is about the size of your fist. Yet, it beats about 100,000 times per day as it pumps 2,000 gallons of blood through your blood vessels.

As blood is being pumped by the heart, it exerts a force against the inside walls of your blood vessels. This force plus your vessels' resistance to blood flow is what is referred to as blood pressure.

» What does 120/80 means?
Blood pressure is stated as a set of numbers such as 120/80. The first number (120) represents the pressure against the walls of the blood vessels as the heart contracts and pumps blood to these vessels. This is sometimes called systolic pressure.

The second number (80) represents the pressure in the walls of your blood vessels as the heart relaxes after the contraction. This is known as diastolic pressure.

» What should my blood pressure be?
For most people, normal blood pressure is a reading of 120/80 or less. A blood pressure reading between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension" and anything above 140/90 is considered high blood pressure or hypertension.

It is very important to realize that there are situations - usually stress-related - that may temporarily increase your blood pressure. That is why it is a recommended that you monitor your blood pressure regularly to see if it is generally normal, pre-hypertensive or stage 1 or stage 2 hypertensive.

» Heart Fact for the week
As a kid, your resting pulse might range from 90 to 120 beats per minute. As an adult, your pulse rate slows to an average of 72 beats per minute.

DID YOU KNOW?

About 65 million American adults — nearly 1 in 3 — have high blood pressure. African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure than any other ethnic group. Middle-aged Americans face a 90% chance
of developing high blood pressure during their lifetiime.

» What are the symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
Some people reports the following as symptoms of high blood pressure:

Frequent headaches

Tingling sensations

Dizziness

However, the truth is that most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms. That's why it is a good idea to have your blood pressure checked regularly especially if you fall into any of the groups listed below.

Eat right for your blood type introducing the Blood Type Diet

» Who are at a greater risk of High Blood Pressure?
If you fall in one or more of the following groups, you should have your blood pressure checked regularly and treated if it is too high:

Persons whose mother or father suffered with high blood pressure

African Americans, especially women

People whose diet has high salt intake

Men over the age of 55

Women over the age of 65

People who smoke

People with diabetes

People with high cholesterol

Post menopausal women

Some women who take birth control pills

People who are overweight

People who get little or no regular physical activity

» How to Control High Blood Pressure
There are many things you can do to control high blood pressure. Here are some recommendations:

Take doctor-prescribed medication

Reduce your sodium intake

Eat a diet low in saturated fat

Do brisk walking or light jogging regularly

Reduce or quit smoking

Reduce alcohol consumption

Eliminate stress in your life

What can also help is making a determined effort to change your lifestyle. Doing so may include relaxing moments like regular nature walks, walking on the beach, listening to relaxing music, spending more time with trusted friends and close family members, reading, taking up a new hobby, joining a group or club that does something you like and taking a realistic view of life.