Hypertension aka high blood pressure
It's important to always monitor your
blood pressure. High Blood Pressure can be extremely dangerous if uncontrolled. It can lead to heart and/or kidney disease, as well as a
stroke.
Anyone can develop high blood pressure during their lifetime. Having normal blood pressure readings early in life does not mean a person will continue to have low blood pressure the rest of their life. However, once high blood pressure begins, it usually lasts the rest of a person's life.If you do have high blood pressure, you can take action to control it.
What is blood pressure?
It is a way to measure the force exerted (applied) by blood flowing against the walls of the arteries. The Top Number (
Systolic) indicates the greatest amount of work the heart has to do to move blood through the arteries. It is also a way to tell how compliant the arteries are as well as how elastic. The bottom number (
Diastolic) is a measurement of the pressure when the heart is relaxed. It also tells how hard the heart has to work in order to beat again.
Interesting info about blood pressure
Recent studies have changed the measurement standards for blood pressure readings.As the chart on the lower right indicates, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, (NHLBI), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health partners have published the new ratings.
High Blood Pressure is more common if a person is overweight. Even losing as little as 5 pounds can lower your blood pressure. Increasing physical activity can help lower blood pressure. It's true! Even moderate activity such as a brisk walk, or bicycling at 4 miles per hour for 30 minutes works wonders. Sodium can produce high blood pressure genetically in a small number of people. Low Sodium (Salt) eating plans have been known to lower blood pressure in some patients. A healthy eating plan low in fats, high in fruits and veggies and other complex carbohydrates can help decrease high blood pressure. Excessive use of alcohol can increase blood pressure. Excessive means over two drinks of beer, wine, or liquor per day.
