Tuesday, September 15, 2009
High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure is the most commonly rated diseases in the modern world. People leading a hyperactive and stressful life tend to suffer from High Blood Pressure. Surprisingly enough, High blood Pressure can be the cause as well as effect of some severe diseases. People who consume a diet rich in calories and saturated fats can also suffer from High blood Pressure in Future. A diet rich in sodium can also result into increased blood pressure in human beings.
Although High Blood Pressure and Hypertension are used synonymously, they are not similar to each other. In fact, all secondary cases of hypertension can lead to High Blood Pressure. During High Blood Pressure, the heart pumps faster than usual and there is a significant change in blood flow and blood pressure. All kinds of occupational hypertension and stress can lead to High Blood Pressure.
Blood pressure in human beings increases during all kinds of physical and mental excitement. During this time the body needs more oxygen, and the heart must pump in more and more oxygen rich blood into various parts of the body, to suffice the demand.
High blood pressure is dubbed as the silent killer because this is one disease where the signs and symptoms are not visible most of the times. This is one disease which is said to hit every one at some point in life. If you are 55 and still haven’t suffered high BP there are 90 percent chances you will be hit by it at any time. This is what the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says. But it is not that tough to detect it. Once you have checked with your doctor for any signs and symptoms of high blood pressure, you can take his advice for controlling it.
signs or symptoms of high BP
Mostly the signs or symptoms of high BP are not visible even if the blood pressure readings show high levels. However, the high blood pressure signs and symptoms part cannot be ruled out completely. This is because at the early stages the patients may have suffer from dull headaches accompanied by dizzy spells. Many a times occasional nosebleeds can also be observed. But this is considered to be one of the signs and symptoms that mainly occur when the blood pressure has reached a seriously high level.
Diagnosis
Measuring blood pressure is a painless procedure and everyone has the experience of it at least once in his life time. Measuring blood pressure can render useful information on the physical condition of the heart and the blood vessels. Blood pressure measurement includes measuring systolic, the maximum pressure and diastolic, the lowest pressure.
The systolic pressure can be defined as the maximum pressure in an artery at a specific physical condition when the heart is functioning and pumping out the blood through the body.
Treatment
Though hypertension is counted as one of the most common forms of health complications, yet it would be very wrong to ignore hypertension as this might lead to several complications which can even endanger your life. Hypertension can be treated with medicines if it is detected at the initial stage. Weight reduction is advised to control hypertension. Regular aerobic exercise can do wonders as afar as the treatment of hypertension is concerned. Mild or moderate hypertension can be treated with jogging. Mild exercise improves blood flow and thus reduces the heart rate and blood pressure when the heart is at rest.
But, drugs are essential for the treatment of severe hypertension. Drugs might not be effective in eradicating hypertension complications but, they can surely bring down the blood pressure to a safer level. People suffering from hypertension should opt for a salt free diet as the level of sodium is an important factor which is known to elevate blood pressure. Low fat free diets are also prescribed and you should intake lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetable increase the potassium level in your blood and that in turn reduces the sodium level.
Treatment of hypertension with drugs would not be much effective if you fail to come out of certain habits like tobacco and alcohol consumption. Coffee drinking also elevates blood pressure. Treatment also includes a string advice for meditation. Meditations reduce stress and reduction of stress is necessary for controlling hypertension complications.