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know more about hypertension
HYPERTENSION is a fancy word for high blood pressure, usually with the caviot
that the condition continues over a longer period of time. The concern for
arterial hypertension arises from the increased risk for serious illness such
as strokes and heart attacks. The leading cause of chronic renal failure is
also hypertension. A normal blood pressure is judged to be less than 120/80,
where as hypertension patients are usually diagnosed with a higher than 140/90
blood pressure. The range may change depending on whether the patent also has
other high risk illness.
Causes of hypertension
It can be one of many variable including heredity, age, dietary intake, mental
health, weight, and drug or alcohol intake. While malignant hypertension may
cause some physically evident symptoms, most hypertension cases are discovered
through regular checkups at your physician's office. Doctor's treat
hypertension with various medications but more often by telling the patient to
make changes in their lifestyle. Hypertension is a managable disease that can
be healed by having the right corrective strategy.
Facts on High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) killed 49,707 Americans in 2002. Because the
consequences associated with high blood pressure are so serious, early
detection, treatment, and control are important.
High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, both
leading causes of death in the United States. About 1 in 3 American adults have
high blood pressure. High blood pressure affects about 2 in 5 African
Americans, 1 in 5 Hispanics and Native Americans, and 1 in 6 Asians.
What do blood pressure numbers indicate? Blood pressure is often written as two
numbers. The top (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is
beating. The bottom (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart
is resting between beats.
High blood pressure for adults is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or
higher, or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher.
Normal blood pressure is a systolic blood pressure less than 120 and a
diastolic blood pressure less than 80.
Prehypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 120139 mmHg or a
diastolic blood pressure of 8089 mmHg. Persons with prehypertension are at
increased risk to progress to hypertension.
Among people with high blood pressure, 31.6% don't even know they have it.
High blood pressure is easily detectable and usually controllable with
lifestyle modifications such as increasing physical activity or reducing
dietary salt intake, with or without medications.
The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and
Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-7) recommends that adults have their
blood pressure checked regularly.
Some ImportantTips for Reducing Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure can be reduced significantly and quickly through making
minor adjustments to your lifestyle. Until then, these guidelines should be
followed:
Have regular medical checks, especially if you are over 40, overweight, smoke,
or lead an inactive lifestyle.
Drink Water: Yes, water is a way to cleanse and refresh every part of the body,
even our blood vessels. Drink 8-10 glasses each day to flush out excess salt
and toxins that make their way into the blood stream. You can use water to
replace some drinks containing caffeine that temporarily raise blood pressure.
Stop Smoking: If you are a long time smoker, you know how it affects your
breathing. What you may not realize is its impact on your blood pressure. If
you cant quit completely, then cut down. Even a 50% reduction in the number of
cigarettes smoked each week can help.
Exercise: A cardiovascular workout strengthens the heart. This is important
because high blood pressure over time puts added strain on the heart just 20
minutes, 3 times per week of a sustained increase in heart rate will aid in
lowering blood pressure.
Eat Right: If you are eating better and exercising, a nice by-product will be
weight loss. By reducing your weight by 10%, you can significantly lower blood
pressure. A diet that includes the freshest fruits and vegetables will support
healthy blood pressure. Reduce or eliminate salt intake, and especially beware
of hidden sodium found abundantly in pre-packaged convenience foods.
Relax. Many people have a temporary raise in blood pressure when they are under
stress. If you have high blood pressure because you are over weight or have a
family history of hypertension, then stress raises it that much more. Try
taking a walk, meditating or listening to relaxing music to take the edge off a
stressful day. Make time for decompressing each and every day.
Avoid isometric exercises: These are exercises where you exert force against an
immovable object (eg, trying to lift something really heavy). You generally
hold your breath whilst doing this, and that will make your blood pressure
skyrocket.
Avoid sudden changes in temperature as this too can increase blood pressure and
put extra strain on a weak heart.
Never lift anything above the head. It doesnt matter whether its weights, or a
can of baked beans. In fact, I know a person who has to sit down to wash his
hair because his blood pressure rises whenever he raises his arms up!
Focus on your breathing throughout any lifting or stretching as holding your
breath will increase blood pressure.
Dont use pulse rate as a direct measure of exercise intensity if blood
pressure medications are being used, as these can decrease pulse rate
significantly.
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