About Hypertension

sebastian foss asked:


Did your daily weigh-in cause your blood pressure to spike? If you are as little as ten percent over your ideal weight, and especially if you’re carrying excess body fat in your abdominal region, then what you learn in the next three minutes as you read this article could not only help you lose those excess inches, it could save your health and even your life!

More than 50 percent of Americans are overweight or obese and the numbers just keep on rising. These shocking statistics have doctors from the World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control, and American Heart Institute wondering how to stop the epidemic. That sudden shock of seeing the numbers on the scale inch up is not what’s giving rise to your blood pressure. It is the ongoing, day-to-day strain that obesity puts on the entire cardiovascular system that causes blood pressure to reach dangerous heights.

Being extremely overweight and having high blood pressure is so closely related that it has even been given its own name: obesity hypertension. Of all the cases of hypertension in the U.S., 75% can be directly attributed to obesity. Deaths directly from hypertension or that had high blood pressure as a primary contributor totaled 310,707 deaths in the U.S. in 2002. It’s a chain reaction (obesity=hypertension= heart disease=death) that all begins with how fat a person is.

Obesity is also a condition that is an equal opportunity disease. It doesn’t matter if you are male, female, old, young, or the origins of your ancestry. If you are overweight, you increase your chances for hypertension and if you lose weight, your risk goes down. But stay overweight and your risk of developing hypertension is 5 to 6 times greater than someone who is at his or her ideal weight.

How Heavy is Obese?

The first question to ask in removing the obesity risk factor for hypertension is “Am I overweight?” Obesity is determined by Body Mass Index (BMI), which takes into account the relationship between height and weight. A BMI above 30.0 is considered obese. A score between 25.0 and 29.9 is considered “overweight.” Ideally, BMI should be between 18.5 and 24.9.

To measure your own BMI you take your current weight and divide it by the number you get when you multiply your height in inches by your height in inches again. Then multiply that number by 703 for your BMI. For example, if you are 5’6” and weight 165 pounds, you would multiply 66” times 66” for a total of 4356. Then divide 165 by 4356 for a total of 0.0378. Next multiply that by 703 for a BMI equal to 26.6, which is considered overweight.

How Does Being Overweight Impact Blood Pressure?

When you are obese, your body needs more blood in order to supply oxygen to and nourish the extra tissue. When you put more blood into the same passageway of veins and arteries, there will be extra pressure on those blood vessels.

Weight gain is also usually in the form of fat. According to Mayo Clinic research, fat cells even produce more chemicals, which in turn add to the strain on the heart and pressure on the blood vessels. In addition, there is an increase in insulin from weight gain. This makes the body retain sodium and water, which also increases heart rate and decreases the ability of the blood vessels to move blood throughout the body, thereby increasing blood pressure.

It’s not just how much you are overweight, but also where you carry your extra weight that can have a great impact on blood pressure. Risk factors are increased when added weight is in the abdominal area. This is because people with a so-called spare tire also have increases in blood sugar, which causes the fat to be deposited there, and then starts the sodium and water retention cycle.

Reducing Weight to Lower Blood Pressure

Because there is a direct correlation between obesity and hypertension, it makes perfect sense that by losing weight you can lower blood pressure. The proof is in the numbers. Blood pressure is measured in mm/hg. A reading of blood pressure both as the heart beats and as it relaxes, creates the dual number of X over Y giving you your final blood pressure reading. For every 2.2 pounds of weight lost, blood pressure falls 1 mm/hg. Realistically, an overweight person like in our example above could lose just 10 percent of their body weight – in this case 16.5 pounds and lower their blood pressure by 7 or 8 points.

Small Steps for Big Results

If you can conquer obesity, then you can take dramatic steps in lowering blood pressure. One of the best ways to combat weight is with walking. Walking increases metabolism and is more effective in the long run than more strenuous cardiovascular workouts. Those who are overweight should talk to their doctor before starting an exercise program of any kind, but all physicians will agree that walking is one of the safest, most effective forms of exercise. Good shoes that provide support to the arches will protect feet and knees from stress injuries. Also, walking on softer surfaces such as a grassy field or dirt road will give a better workout because more balance and coordination is needed.

Some other ways to lose weight safely and lower blood pressure include:

1. Reduce sodium intake

2. Don’t eat within 3 hours of going to bed at night

3. Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day

4. Replace saturated animal fats with non-saturated, healthy fats from vegetable sources

5. Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages that are packed with calories

There are some risk factors associated with hypertension that you cannot control, such as genetics, race, and age. How much you weigh and what you do to make sure you are a good weight is within your control. Take action to keep obesity in check and reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.

Discover more powerful methods that will lower your weight while reducing your blood pressure at the same time: …visit naturalblood-pressure.blogspot.com



Robert

teatea asked:


I’ve been having chest heaviness and pains for several years now that have progressively gotten worse with each passing year. I never understood what it could be and all tests of my heart came back normal. Yet I have still had these strange and often painful feelings in my chest. Is it even possible to avoid getting this disease if I’m already having the symptoms that I have?

Willie

Janet Martin asked:


High blood pressure or hypertension is a silent killer that threatens millions of people worldwide. Yet many are unaware they have the disease and are at risk of developing stroke, heart disease, blindness and kidney failure.

In American alone, 50 million people age 6 and older – or one in four adults – have hypertension and approximately two million people are diagnosed with the disease each year. High blood pressure killed 46,765 Americans in 2001 and over 54,000 in 2004.

The risk of hypertension increases as one gets older. The National Center for Health Statistics said 24 percent of people in the United States between the ages of 20 and 74 have hypertension. For men 75 years or older, the number rises to 64 percent, and for women, 77 percent. Worldwide, hypertension has been rated the fourth largest mortality risk in the world, accounting for six percent of all deaths.

Despite being a major health problem in many countries, 30 percent of people with hypertension don’t know they have the disease. Because of this, a lot of people aren’t getting the right treatment and are in danger of suffering from serious life-threatening complications.

“You can have high blood pressure (hypertension) for years without a single symptom. But silence isn’t golden. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

If you suspect you have hypertension, see a doctor at once. Blood pressure reduction can be achieved with several types of drugs or antihypertensive agents. To lessen your chances of developing the disease, maintain a healthy weight, be active and exercise regularly. One product that can keep you in shape is Phenocal, a safe, natural, and effective weight loss supplement that boosts your metabolism, suppresses your appetite, reduces food cravings, and increases energy levels for a leaner, healthier you. Visit http://www.phenocal.com for more information.



Darryl

Alvin Hopkinson asked:


Stimulus from your body will create a change in your blood pressure. The interaction is complex and is between the kidneys, many different hormones, the nervous system, blood vessels, and the heart. There are many different circumstances that can lead to the change in stimulus and increase the blood pressure.

On the other hand your blood pressure can also be minimized by a decrease in stimuli. There are different classifications for the different levels of blood pressure. There are also levels of hypertension classification that will be explained throughout this article.

There are quite a few things that can cause a persons blood pressure to begin to rise. Generally, when you are relaxed your blood pressure is lower. For example, when you are sleeping the heart is not usually working as hard to pump the blood so the blood pressure is lower that when you are awake.

The reason the blood pressure is lower when you are resting is because your body does not require as much oxygen rich blood at those times. However, when you are awake and doing any type of exercise your body demands a higher oxygen level in the blood which increases the blood pressure.

As the blood pressure increases it poses strain on the arteries as well as the heart. This demands the heart to work much harder than it should have to. Over a period of time it is likely the heart will become enlarged to serve the purpose yet is fails to serve the purpose adequately.

It is important that you not only understand the importance of having your blood pressure monitored regularly but also you should understand how the blood pressure is measured.

As you might already know that your blood pressure is measured in mmHg, do you know what that actually means? It is fractions of millimeters of mercury. To measure this the doctor should use a device called sphygmomanometer, you might recognize the arm cuff and rubber ball that tightens the cuff around your arm.

There are two numbers that you will be told as a fraction. For example, 120 over 80, written 120/80mmHg. The first number refers to the systolic pressure. This is the pressure of the heart when it contracts each time to send the blood through your arteries.

The second number is called the diastolic pressure. This is when the heart is relaxed after pumping the blood to the arteries, when the heart is filling up with more blood to pump.

Now you might be thinking, “How do I know how severe my hypertension is?”, well to help you understand a little better we will break down the numbers a little more for you.

Hypertension Classification for Adults:



Normal

Systolic: <120, Diastolic: <80

Pre-Hypertension

Systolic: 120-139, Diastolic: 80-99

Stage One Hypertension

Systolic: 140-159, Diastolic: 90-99

Stage Two Hypertension

Systolic: 160+, Diastolic: 100+

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension it is not relevant how severe the hypertension is it can be successfully treated with lifestyle modifications and medication. However, it is important that you understand the hypertension classification you fall into. Be sure that you follow the directions of your doctor to avoid any unnecessary complications.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading and avid researcher of various high blood pressure treatments. He runs a content-packed website that provides free tips to lower your hypertension and unbiased reviews on common blood pressure medications. Grab your FREE report on how to lower blood pressure naturally and visit his site at http://www.minusbloodpressure.com



Michelle

susieviri asked:


A patient who previously was suffering from hypertension was given tablets to prevent his blood pressure from going up, but lately his bp has gone low, 106/62. His diastolic ranges from 70-62 most of the time lately. Should he continue to take his hypertension tablets? Isn’t it dangerous to take hypertension tablet when his diastolic is already low?

Jamie

MejoJohn asked:


Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common health problem of older age groups and some younger adults. Hypertension varies depending on the age, height, weight, and gender.

Most physicians and doctors are recommending pharmaceutical medicines which are being sold in drug stores, as the means to treat hypertension. Many researchers and scientists are beginning to lean towards the natural ways as the means to treat hypertension. This is because of the unpleasant outcomes which may result when you continuously take pharmaceutical medicines.

In this busy stressful life, it is highly important for old and younger adults to have a systematic check of their blood pressure. High blood pressure can be controlled with natural remedies and changes in diet and lifestyle. Reducing your stress can also improve your general health, including your blood pressure. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits and diet habits prove to be an effective step in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure. Blood pressure medications can be added if lifestyle changes alone are not effective in controlling your high blood pressure.

Having hypertension is one indication that you are living an unhealthy lifestyle, and hence leading a healthy lifestyle can probably help you to control your blood pressure and lead a healthier and happier life. Hypertension is a disease that is typically easy to treat with natural means. There are a number of natural ways to treat hypertension. Most of the natural remedies used for treating hypertension are safe and effective. Researches found that hydrotherapy, special vegetarian diet, exercise, herbal tea, and adequate water have good effect in controlling hypertension.

Diet change is one natural way of treating hypertension. Consume either raw or cooked garlic to help in lowering hypertension. Garlic, which contains a compound called adenosine which functions both as a muscle relaxant and as an aid in vaso dilation, helps in dilating the muscles of blood vessels, thereby avoiding blood clots and lowering blood pressure. Eat high-potassium diet, such as bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, skimmed milk, oranges, watermelon, soya beans, almond and spinach, to help lower your blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables are best sources of vitamin C, potassium and soluble fiber, all of which have an effect in lowering blood pressure. Fishes which contains omega-3 fatty acids can be a good diet for people who are experiencing hypertension. Omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to dilate blood vessels and significantly lower blood pressure. Food rich in calcium regulates the heart’s muscle contraction, making it easier for managing blood pressure. Many people have successfully treated hypertension with apple cider vinegar. It is rich in so many vitamins and nutrients that are thought to be helpful in lowering hypertension. Hawthorne berries can also be used to treat hypertension.

Drinking lot of water and getting enough rest are holistic and natural way of treating hypertension, besides taking natural medications. Enough sleep, regular exercise and healthier lifestyle with recreation time can control your blood pressure. You can also control your hypertension through weight management, meditation and relaxation. All these natural health remedies rely on how you balance your diet, intake of supplements and your lifestyle, in order to control your high blood pressure.

Besides the above tips, you can refer a lot of web-sites which show the exact step-by-step formula of natural treatments for Hypertension.



Pauline

4given/NOtW asked:


I often have days where I just cannot move. I feel out of breath and extremely tired. My doctor is not sure if I have hypertension because I do not have a family history, nor am I overweight and I am fairly young. She wants to be sure before putting me on meds. She thinks I may have “white coat syndrome”. This is when people become nervous when seeing a doctor.

Manuel

Gregory asked:


I didn’t have issues with high blood pressure until I got married or gained 65 lbs. Im not sure which is causing it because it varies from day to day. Ive lost about 70 lbs and im starting to get lightheaded a lot more and my blood pressure is a lot lower than it used to be. Im afraid that it might be getting too low and I can definately live without the side effects.

Cory

Dustin Cannon asked:


Hypertension occurs when the arterial blood pressure is above normal. High blood pressure by itself is not harmful the real problem comes from the damage that is done to blood vessels and internal organs that are harmed by consistent high pressure.

There are no symptoms of hypertension, and the disorder is usually only detected via routine medical screenings or when the symptoms of organ damage are noticed. Of course, by the time such symptoms are noted, the damage is often irreversible. Fortunately, there are a number of hypertension treatment and hypertension medication options that can keep the disease in check and prevent any negative long term side effects.

One of the most dangerous forms of high blood pressure is primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). This is a form of high blood pressure that is found in the arteries of the lungs. This can be particularly dangerous because of the delicate nature of lung tissue and the close relationship between the lungs and the heart. Primary pulmonary hypertension often makes itself known through shortness of breath, fatigue, fainting, and similar problems.

This disorder is often caused by pre-existing heart conditions. The manner in which PPH is treated depends on the severity of the disorder. For mild cases of PPH, diet and lifestyle changes may be sufficient to bring the pulmonary arterial pressure back to within normal boundaries. However, more severe cases of PPH may require the use of hypertension medication in order to bring the pulmonary blood pressure to within acceptable parameters.

Those who are diagnosed with high blood pressure will usually be put on a hypertension treatment regimen by their physician. As with PPH, those who have mild to moderate blood pressure problems will first attempt to control their condition with lifestyle changes. Reducing salt intake helps reduce plasma volume and thereby blood pressure and exercise makes the heart more efficient and also helps reduce excess fat which can often be a major contributor to high blood pressure.

For those who can not treat their condition with diet and/or exercise, or whose condition is too severe for diet and exercise alone, the next choice is medication. There are a number of medications available that can reduce the arterial pressure in the body thereby alleviating hypertension. The most commonly used medical treatments for high blood pressure include ACE inhibitors which serve to increase the elasticity of arterial tissues, alpha blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, and other pharmaceutical treatments.

High blood pressure is one of the major killers, particularly of males, in the western world. Reasons for this include a diet high in fat and low in vegetables, a sedentary lifestyle, and the simple fact that life spans have increased to the point where high blood pressure related illnesses make up a higher percentage of ailments than they did in the past due to the fact that such disorders often take many years to develop.



Christian

rubina asked:


can any body tell me easy way to control hypertension with home made remedies.

Brad