Tuesday, July 28, 2009

High Blood Pressure

By Barb Hicks

Hypertension or high blood pressure is the force the heart must use in order to push blood through the bodies veins and arteries. There are two distinct blood pressures; the first is the systolic pressure which pumps the blood through the arteries. The second, called diastolic pressure is the force of the pressure between vessels and beats of the heart. In a normal healthy body, the blood pressure is usually 120/80.

Many patients are unaware of the onset of primary hypertension as the symptoms are commonly mild and nonspecific. With this being the case, it is no wonder it has been labeled the 'silent killer." If gone undetected, a Hypertensive crisis may occur in which a stroke or heart attack will be the result. In these cases, fatality may be the end result.

People who have high blood pressure complain of headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. Headache is a common complaint and is not remedied after taking high blood pressure medication. Head blood flow is increased, putting a strain on blood vessels in the brain. Headache caused by hypertension does not go away with over the counter pain medications. The pain pulsates behind the eyes and manifests during the morning hours. Increased blood circulation causes the heart to pump out more amount of blood than usual, causing heart palpitations, blurred vision, white spots or blindness.

Of the people who have high blood pressure, approximately 1% have what is known as malignant hypertension. This is considered a medical emergency and needs immediate care to prevent heart attack or stroke. Hypertension may go untreated for years because the person may not even know they have high blood pressure. This can result in damage to the heart, eyes or kidneys, as well as lead to angina pain. To avoid any complications of high blood pressure is to prevent or control it with the help of your doctor and a health diet consisting of fresh vegetables, fruits, wholegrain and low-fat dairy products.

There are some forms of hypertension caused by stress. If you are someone who is constantly exposed to this risk factor, it is highly important for you to determine which stress you must live with and which you can dump aside. Life is full of everyday stresses such as our children, however taking on the worries and stresses of our coworkers or the lady behind the coffee counter is not something our bodies need to contend with. Know what your limits are.

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and is another contributing factor to high blood pressure. Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight is the best thing you can do for your body. In addition, lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking alcohol can have long reaching adverse affects on our bodies. It is important to make wise, healthy choices.

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