High blood pressure, hypertension as it is also known, has been dubbed the silent killer. Many people have it and are not aware of it. It has no known symptoms. It is usually during a routine visit to the doctor for another problem that someone discovers they have high blood pressure.
What is high blood pressure you might ask? High blood pressure means high pressure in the arteries. Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers, one over the other. The top number is the Systolic blood pressure reading. It is the measurement of the pressure your blood exerts on your arteries when your heart beats. The bottom number is the Diastolic blood pressure reading. It is the measurement of the pressure your blood exerts on your arteries when your heart is at rest.
Normal pressure is below 120/80. Pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called pre hypertension, and pressure of 140/90 and higher is considered high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure it means that your blood is exerting too much force on your arteries and is making your heart's job, which is pumping blood, more difficult than it should be.
Since high blood pressure has no know symptoms, it is not usually discovered unless a person has gone to a doctor for some other medical reason. If high blood pressure is left unchecked over a period of time, it can cause much damage to the vital organs of the body like the heart, kidneys, and eyes. It can lead to angina or chest pain, heart failure, stroke, renal failure or kidney failure, peripheral arterial disease, retinopathy or eye damage, or abnormal heartbeat.
Did you know that 35% of all heart disease is associated with high blood pressure? Furthermore, did you know 49% of all cases of heart failure is associated with high blood pressure? So it is imperative you have your blood pressure checked. If you have high blood pressure, you need to find out what the treatments are and start doing whatever it takes to lower your blood pressure.
So here are the treatments recommended by the medical profession.
Lose excess weight.
Exercise. Then exercise some more.
Limit alcohol. 2 drinks per day for men and 1 for women.
Cut back on salt.
Quit smoking.
Follow the DASH diet. DASH means Dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet.
Well, you know one of the recommendations is always going to be to lose weight, quit smoking, and do not drink excessively! If you are interested in checking out the this diet, you can find it online. Just search "high blood pressure using the DASH diet."
Depending upon how high your blood pressure is, your doctor will probably recommend medications to lower your blood pressure. When you have high blood pressure it is imperative you get it lower to prevent damage to your major organs as we discussed earlier. High blood pressure cannot go untreated if you wish to live a long life. To find the right medications for you, your doctor may have to find the right combination of medications by trial and error.
Sometimes the first prescribed medication may work to lower your blood pressure and sometimes you have to try several or combinations of several medications to get your blood pressure lowered. Just be patient and realize it is in your best interest to find a medication or a combination of medications that work to lower you pressure.
Of course, there are other methods of treating high blood pressure and you might want to look into those. Medications for high blood pressure have side affects, as do all medications. If there is a natural way to bring down your blood pressure you might want to consider it instead of taking prescribed medications. You must decide that for yourself. Of course, the goal here is to get your blood pressure lowered and keep it down. Your life depends on it!
Author Resource:-
Hi, I am Lucy Peacock. I hold teaching credentials and math degree. I Love teaching and have been a teacher, writer and consultant. I stay busy to keep life interesting! If you want more info check the sitewwwwalking-my-dogs.blogspot.com
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