Basically, blood pressure is a measurement of the force that occurs in the arteries while the heart makes a beat (systolic pressure) and another measurement while the heart is resting (diastolic pressure). What is high blood pressure? If your blood pressure has been measured at 140/90 mm Hg or higher you are considered to have high blood pressure. The top number is the systolic level while the bottom one is the diastolic number. If your blood pressure has a reading between 120 and 139 for the systolic pressure and the diastolic number is between 80 and 89 you have prehypertension.
Your blood pressure numbers will likely change during a typical day and is usually at its lowest during sleep and can significantly rise due to being nervous or excited or very active. When you are sitting or inactive your blood pressure is at a healthy level if it is lower than 120/80 mm Hg.
What is causing High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is most common with adults over the age of thirty five and is more widespread with African Americans, people in their middle ages, seniors, overweight people, women who are using birth control pills as well as people who drink alcohol excessively. Heredity can be a factor regarding what is causing your high blood pressure. Some studies have indicated that about one in three of American adults have a high blood pressure condition.
Unfortunately, when a person acquires high blood pressure they typically have to deal with it for the rest of their life. You might not know what is causing your high blood pressure; however, it can be properly controlled with medication, a sufficient amount of exercise and other factors. A lot of people are not aware that they have high blood pressure and their high blood pressure problem can go untreated for years.
High Blood Pressure – Health Problems
High blood pressure should be taken seriously since it significantly increases the chances of acquiring coronary heart disease, having a heart attack as well as suffering a stroke. It can produce very small bulges in the blood vessels which can lead to aneurysms. These typically are produced in the aorta, the legs, in the brain, the intestines as well as the artery that leads to the spleen. High blood pressure can also cause kidney failure due to the blood vessels in the kidney becoming narrower.
High blood pressure can also lead to hardening of the arteries. If hardening of the arteries occurs in the brain it can cause a stroke, in the heart it can cause a heart attack and if you have hardening of the arteries in a leg it can in some cases lead to amputation. High blood pressure can also cause blood vessels located in your eyes to break or bleed which can cause vision problems and sometimes it can lead to blindness. Your doctor might not know exactly what is causing your high blood pressure but he can offer a program to help reduce your high blood pressure.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Normal Blood Pressure Reading Rarely Fluctuates By Patient
When it comes to blood pressure, it can often be a symptom of something more serious and when it is higher than a normal blood pressure reading, the attending physician may take steps to determine its cause. Individually, there may be some fluctuation in what is considered a normal blood pressure reading for that person, but overall there are specific readings that spark a doctor's interest, regardless of the patient's medical or family history.
Too many times a patient will inform their doctor, if their pressure reading is slightly elevated that they have always had a higher than normal blood pressure reading. Most doctors will not accept this and will take steps to bring it down into a more normal blood pressure reading range. A patient's blood pressure is read with two separate readings, the systolic pressure, which is the pressure of the blood against the arterial walls when the heart pumps, and the diastolic, which is the pressure on the walls when the heart is at rest.
Medical scientists have concluded that a normal blood pressure reading should be a systolic pressure or 120 and a diastolic pressure reading of 80, measured with a sphygmomanometer. A person with a blood pressure reading considerably lower may be at risk of other health problems as well as those with a higher blood pressure reading.
Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Can Be Deadly
When a person has numbers that above the normal blood pressure reading their doctor is likely to first prescribe medication to help lower the blood pressure. Depending on how high the readings, the doctor may also order other medical tests to determine if another medical condition, such as a kidney problem, is causing a higher than normal blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure that remains unchecked is one of the leading causes of death contributed to heart attack and stroke and in most cases, patients have seldom known they had higher than normal blood pressure readings until advised by their doctor. Many physicians have trouble understanding how it can go undetected for long periods, since it is a simple non-invasive test that takes less than two minutes to make the determination.
Once a person has been diagnosed as having high blood pressure, they will typically be on medication to keep it under control. In most cases a normal blood pressure reading can be achieved through the use of many different medications and in some instances, cholesterol lowering drugs may also be in order to help the patient achieve a closer to normal blood pressure reading.
Too many times a patient will inform their doctor, if their pressure reading is slightly elevated that they have always had a higher than normal blood pressure reading. Most doctors will not accept this and will take steps to bring it down into a more normal blood pressure reading range. A patient's blood pressure is read with two separate readings, the systolic pressure, which is the pressure of the blood against the arterial walls when the heart pumps, and the diastolic, which is the pressure on the walls when the heart is at rest.
Medical scientists have concluded that a normal blood pressure reading should be a systolic pressure or 120 and a diastolic pressure reading of 80, measured with a sphygmomanometer. A person with a blood pressure reading considerably lower may be at risk of other health problems as well as those with a higher blood pressure reading.
Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Can Be Deadly
When a person has numbers that above the normal blood pressure reading their doctor is likely to first prescribe medication to help lower the blood pressure. Depending on how high the readings, the doctor may also order other medical tests to determine if another medical condition, such as a kidney problem, is causing a higher than normal blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure that remains unchecked is one of the leading causes of death contributed to heart attack and stroke and in most cases, patients have seldom known they had higher than normal blood pressure readings until advised by their doctor. Many physicians have trouble understanding how it can go undetected for long periods, since it is a simple non-invasive test that takes less than two minutes to make the determination.
Once a person has been diagnosed as having high blood pressure, they will typically be on medication to keep it under control. In most cases a normal blood pressure reading can be achieved through the use of many different medications and in some instances, cholesterol lowering drugs may also be in order to help the patient achieve a closer to normal blood pressure reading.
Understanding The Importance Of Lowering Blood Pressure
Believe it or not there are many people who are always suffering from high blood pressure yet still does not see the importance of lowering blood pressure in order to remain healthy and to live longer. A lot of people have the sense that what doesn't kill them only makes them stronger and while that may be true in some cases, that is not the case when dealing with lowering blood pressure. In fact, in many cases, not lowering blood pressure has killed many people.
Besides the facts that too high of blood pressure can give you unwanted restrictions in your day to day life, going without lowering blood pressure can lead to other health complications. And adding more and more health problems is not something that you should want to add to your list of things to accomplish. Lowering blood pressure does not have to be something that takes a lot out of your day and with a few simple adjustments you can be on your way to lowering blood pressure before you know it.
How To Do It
When it comes to lowering blood pressure, too many people assume that it will be a lot of hard work that they either cannot do or they just aren't ready to do it. But it is simply a matter of making some changes to your eating habits. By avoiding a few simple things like pre-cooked or processed foods can help a lot as these foods tend to have a high amount of sodium in them and these increase in sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure. Watching what you eat and trying to eat as many fresh foods as possible is an excellent way to get into the lowering blood pressure habit.
Stay clear of sauces such as soy sauce, steak sauce, and mustard. Things such as baking power and baking soda are things that you also want to do your best to avoid at all costs. Meats like bacon, sausage, bologna, and such are things that are loaded down with too much sodium. These are all little and simple steps that you can take in order to begin lowering blood pressure. As you can see, it does not take much work or effort in order to decrease your changes of complications from allowing high blood pressure to run your life. It's time to take charge and begin lowering blood pressure to stay healthy.
Besides the facts that too high of blood pressure can give you unwanted restrictions in your day to day life, going without lowering blood pressure can lead to other health complications. And adding more and more health problems is not something that you should want to add to your list of things to accomplish. Lowering blood pressure does not have to be something that takes a lot out of your day and with a few simple adjustments you can be on your way to lowering blood pressure before you know it.
How To Do It
When it comes to lowering blood pressure, too many people assume that it will be a lot of hard work that they either cannot do or they just aren't ready to do it. But it is simply a matter of making some changes to your eating habits. By avoiding a few simple things like pre-cooked or processed foods can help a lot as these foods tend to have a high amount of sodium in them and these increase in sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure. Watching what you eat and trying to eat as many fresh foods as possible is an excellent way to get into the lowering blood pressure habit.
Stay clear of sauces such as soy sauce, steak sauce, and mustard. Things such as baking power and baking soda are things that you also want to do your best to avoid at all costs. Meats like bacon, sausage, bologna, and such are things that are loaded down with too much sodium. These are all little and simple steps that you can take in order to begin lowering blood pressure. As you can see, it does not take much work or effort in order to decrease your changes of complications from allowing high blood pressure to run your life. It's time to take charge and begin lowering blood pressure to stay healthy.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms Are Not Specific
Most people who suffer from high blood pressure will soon realize that high blood pressure symptoms do not clearly point to the condition. People might have high blood pressure symptoms and attribute these high blood pressure symptoms to other conditions. A person might believe that they have not eaten properly or that they are just tired. High blood pressure symptoms rarely point to this possibly serious condition. Any high blood pressure symptoms that might appear do not often worry a patient. High blood pressure is usually diagnosed by a doctor during an office visit.
Most visits to a doctor begin with a blood pressure check. Usually the nurse takes a blood pressure reading for each patient by placing a device on the upper arm of the patient. This device also comes with a small pump and a register that displays the readings from the procedure which only takes a minute or two. These numbers can be an indication of high blood pressure even if the patient has felt absolutely fine before the visit to the doctor. Sometimes a reading in a doctor’s office is higher than usual because people are often nervous around doctors.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms Do Not Provide For Diagnosis
High blood pressure symptoms do not point clearly to this condition so the doctor will usually do different tests to make a proper diagnosis. The numbers in the doctor’s office point the way, but the doctor will usually take more numbers before making recommendations. The doctor might ask the patient to buy a blood pressure monitoring cuff so they can take and record their blood pressure numbers over a period of time. Most people will have high numbers from time to time so the doctor will want as much data as possible. Devices for measuring blood pressure are available in most drugstores for a reasonable price.
The doctor will probably make several suggestions once the condition is determined. The doctor might suggest that the patient with high blood pressure make some lifestyle changes. The doctor will probably suggest more exercise on a daily basis to bring down the blood pressure numbers. He or she will also suggest changes to the diet based on nutritional information. It will not do much good to change from one fast food outlet to another. The doctor will provide information on the best diets available for those with high blood pressure symptoms. There are different drugs available that can help those with high blood pressure. The doctor will probably consider different drug therapies and choose the best fit for each patient.
Most visits to a doctor begin with a blood pressure check. Usually the nurse takes a blood pressure reading for each patient by placing a device on the upper arm of the patient. This device also comes with a small pump and a register that displays the readings from the procedure which only takes a minute or two. These numbers can be an indication of high blood pressure even if the patient has felt absolutely fine before the visit to the doctor. Sometimes a reading in a doctor’s office is higher than usual because people are often nervous around doctors.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms Do Not Provide For Diagnosis
High blood pressure symptoms do not point clearly to this condition so the doctor will usually do different tests to make a proper diagnosis. The numbers in the doctor’s office point the way, but the doctor will usually take more numbers before making recommendations. The doctor might ask the patient to buy a blood pressure monitoring cuff so they can take and record their blood pressure numbers over a period of time. Most people will have high numbers from time to time so the doctor will want as much data as possible. Devices for measuring blood pressure are available in most drugstores for a reasonable price.
The doctor will probably make several suggestions once the condition is determined. The doctor might suggest that the patient with high blood pressure make some lifestyle changes. The doctor will probably suggest more exercise on a daily basis to bring down the blood pressure numbers. He or she will also suggest changes to the diet based on nutritional information. It will not do much good to change from one fast food outlet to another. The doctor will provide information on the best diets available for those with high blood pressure symptoms. There are different drugs available that can help those with high blood pressure. The doctor will probably consider different drug therapies and choose the best fit for each patient.
Doctors Look Carefully At Blood Pressure Readings
Modern medicine works miracles because of outstanding research and development by experts. Although there are many new machines that will help doctors diagnose problems and recommend remedies, most doctors still pay careful attention to blood pressure readings which provide plenty of information. Usually, a doctor has his or her staff do a blood pressure reading for each patient soon after they arrive for an appointment. These blood pressure readings have been used by medical professionals for many years to check on the health of patients. A blood pressure reading can tell a doctor if further tests should be performed immediately, or if they should investigate the condition of the patient more aggressively.
The blood pressure readings for many individuals do not provide accurate information when done in a doctor’s office if the patient is very nervous around doctors. Many people have high blood pressure readings just because they are nervous about seeing a doctor. Many doctors will have their patients do their blood pressure readings at home when they are relaxed. The machines for finding blood pressure readings are available at most drugstores at reasonable prices. The patient should follow the directions very carefully to make sure that the blood pressure readings are accurate.
Doctors Show Concern For High Blood Pressure Readings
Doctors will look carefully at the blood pressure readings done by their nurse, and they will also look carefully at these readings done at home if recommended. The doctors will most likely place their patients into one of four categories when they check these readings. These include the first two categories which include patients who do not have serious problems with their blood pressure. The other two categories include people who have blood pressure problems. The patients who fall into the first two groups do not have to make changes.
People who fall into the last two categories have problems, and they should carefully consult with their doctor. These people will probably have to make changes in their lifestyles and take one or more prescription medicines. Diet could have an effect on the blood pressure, and the doctor may recommend a specific diet or some general guidelines for optimum health. People with normal readings have probably figured out how to live a healthy, productive life so they may just continue doing what they have done in the past. Patients with high readings should probably change their eating and exercise habits. High blood pressure can be treated effectively so people should not worry once they find their diagnosis.
The blood pressure readings for many individuals do not provide accurate information when done in a doctor’s office if the patient is very nervous around doctors. Many people have high blood pressure readings just because they are nervous about seeing a doctor. Many doctors will have their patients do their blood pressure readings at home when they are relaxed. The machines for finding blood pressure readings are available at most drugstores at reasonable prices. The patient should follow the directions very carefully to make sure that the blood pressure readings are accurate.
Doctors Show Concern For High Blood Pressure Readings
Doctors will look carefully at the blood pressure readings done by their nurse, and they will also look carefully at these readings done at home if recommended. The doctors will most likely place their patients into one of four categories when they check these readings. These include the first two categories which include patients who do not have serious problems with their blood pressure. The other two categories include people who have blood pressure problems. The patients who fall into the first two groups do not have to make changes.
People who fall into the last two categories have problems, and they should carefully consult with their doctor. These people will probably have to make changes in their lifestyles and take one or more prescription medicines. Diet could have an effect on the blood pressure, and the doctor may recommend a specific diet or some general guidelines for optimum health. People with normal readings have probably figured out how to live a healthy, productive life so they may just continue doing what they have done in the past. Patients with high readings should probably change their eating and exercise habits. High blood pressure can be treated effectively so people should not worry once they find their diagnosis.
Accuracy Of Blood Pressure Kits Needs To Be Determined
There are approximately 60 million people with high blood pressure in the United States and most of them need to frequently check their pressure to help the doctor determine if the medication they are prescribing is doing its job. Many of the patients are using home blood pressure kits to take their blood pressure daily or more frequently, to help make a more accurate diagnosis of their medical needs.
There are many different types of blood pressure kits on the market and where they are purchased are not nearly as important as the type being used and their accuracy. Whether the patient buys a sphygmomanometer and uses a stethoscope to take their blood pressure at home or one of the different digital blood pressure kits, the unit should be taken to doctor's office periodically and verified for accuracy against the professional unit used in the doctor's office.
Although the blood pressure kits that use a pressure cuff and stethoscope are considered much more accurate, some patients cannot hear the blood flowing through the arteries and prefer using one of the digital automatic blood pressure kits. While these kits are easier to use, the position of the hand as well as body temperature can affect the accuracy of the readings.
Simplicity Does Not Always Equate To Accuracy
There are many different types of blood pressure kits on the market, include those that strap onto the wrist or simply attach to a finger. While these are considerably more convenient and easier to use, they can be affected by many different influences causing the readings to be less than accurate. If the patient uses one of these blood pressure kits when they compare the results to the readings obtained in the doctor's office, they will need to hold their arm or fingers in the same position each time it is used.
The blood pressure kits that use a stethoscope, a pressure cuff and sphygmomanometer deliver the most accurate readings and with most of them, the blood pressure can be taken by the user. When buying one in the store, the user will need to make sure they can not only hear through the stethoscope, but also be able to read the numbers on the equipment.
The same is true for the digital blood pressure kits where the numbers may not be large enough to be read by all users. While the best method is to have someone else take the readings with the more accurate blood pressure cuffs, if a unit from one of the many blood pressure kits has been verified as accurate at the doctor's office, it will help the doctor and patient work together to keep their blood pressure under control.
There are many different types of blood pressure kits on the market and where they are purchased are not nearly as important as the type being used and their accuracy. Whether the patient buys a sphygmomanometer and uses a stethoscope to take their blood pressure at home or one of the different digital blood pressure kits, the unit should be taken to doctor's office periodically and verified for accuracy against the professional unit used in the doctor's office.
Although the blood pressure kits that use a pressure cuff and stethoscope are considered much more accurate, some patients cannot hear the blood flowing through the arteries and prefer using one of the digital automatic blood pressure kits. While these kits are easier to use, the position of the hand as well as body temperature can affect the accuracy of the readings.
Simplicity Does Not Always Equate To Accuracy
There are many different types of blood pressure kits on the market, include those that strap onto the wrist or simply attach to a finger. While these are considerably more convenient and easier to use, they can be affected by many different influences causing the readings to be less than accurate. If the patient uses one of these blood pressure kits when they compare the results to the readings obtained in the doctor's office, they will need to hold their arm or fingers in the same position each time it is used.
The blood pressure kits that use a stethoscope, a pressure cuff and sphygmomanometer deliver the most accurate readings and with most of them, the blood pressure can be taken by the user. When buying one in the store, the user will need to make sure they can not only hear through the stethoscope, but also be able to read the numbers on the equipment.
The same is true for the digital blood pressure kits where the numbers may not be large enough to be read by all users. While the best method is to have someone else take the readings with the more accurate blood pressure cuffs, if a unit from one of the many blood pressure kits has been verified as accurate at the doctor's office, it will help the doctor and patient work together to keep their blood pressure under control.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Medication Only One Of The Ways To Lower Blood Pressure
For many patients with high blood pressure, medication is only one of the ways to lower blood pressure, and their lifestyle may require some changes. While medication is usually prescribed to keep a person's blood pressure under control, the doctor will also attempt to find the root cause of the high blood pressure and find alternate ways to lower blood pressure. In order to do so, the patient will have to work with the doctor to find out exactly what causes their pressure to be high and then take stapes to eliminate the causes.
Self-diagnosis of high blood pressure is likened to playing a deadly game, especially if the readings used are from a questionable blood pressure machine. Many times people will use the machines located in a drug store or supermarket and while this equipment is frequently tested for accuracy, they can change often. If a person believes they have high blood pressure, based on these machines, it will behoove them to find ways to lower blood pressure by visiting their health care provider to determine if the need is even necessary.
If the doctor confirms their blood pressure is too high, some many be helped by simple lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, but they usually will also require medication in addition to other ways to lower blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure Dangers Should Provide Incentive
Persons who are overweight or obese should work on losing weight as uncontrolled high blood pressure has been linked to heart attack and stroke. Losing weight however, is only one of the ways to lower blood pressure. A healthier diet that provides the necessary nutrition as well as quitting smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation can provide a benefit in lowering blood pressure.
Increasing physical activity is not only one of the ways to lower blood pressure, it can also help lower bad cholesterol and improve high cholesterol levels in the blood. Reducing the intake of salt is also one of the important ways to lower blood pressure and if the doctor prescribes medication, it needs to be taken as directed to be the most effective at controlling blood pressure.
Not everyone that has high blood pressure requires medication as one of the ways to lower blood pressure, especially those diagnosed as having what is called pre-hypertension. Readings of 120 to 139 systolic pressure and between 80 and 89 diastolic are considered higher than normal, but usually there can be non-prescription ways to lower blood pressure without the need for medications.
Self-diagnosis of high blood pressure is likened to playing a deadly game, especially if the readings used are from a questionable blood pressure machine. Many times people will use the machines located in a drug store or supermarket and while this equipment is frequently tested for accuracy, they can change often. If a person believes they have high blood pressure, based on these machines, it will behoove them to find ways to lower blood pressure by visiting their health care provider to determine if the need is even necessary.
If the doctor confirms their blood pressure is too high, some many be helped by simple lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, but they usually will also require medication in addition to other ways to lower blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure Dangers Should Provide Incentive
Persons who are overweight or obese should work on losing weight as uncontrolled high blood pressure has been linked to heart attack and stroke. Losing weight however, is only one of the ways to lower blood pressure. A healthier diet that provides the necessary nutrition as well as quitting smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation can provide a benefit in lowering blood pressure.
Increasing physical activity is not only one of the ways to lower blood pressure, it can also help lower bad cholesterol and improve high cholesterol levels in the blood. Reducing the intake of salt is also one of the important ways to lower blood pressure and if the doctor prescribes medication, it needs to be taken as directed to be the most effective at controlling blood pressure.
Not everyone that has high blood pressure requires medication as one of the ways to lower blood pressure, especially those diagnosed as having what is called pre-hypertension. Readings of 120 to 139 systolic pressure and between 80 and 89 diastolic are considered higher than normal, but usually there can be non-prescription ways to lower blood pressure without the need for medications.
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