High Blood Pressure Medicine: High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure

Sunday, November 19, 2006

By Josh Riverside

Tip! Age - it is common for high blood pressure to increase with age. Therefore older people are more at risk of high blood pressure than those who are younger.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is measured in numbers based on the systolic and diastolic pressures of the blood. Systolic pressure measures the force in the arteries when the heart beats, while the diastolic pressure measures this force when the heart is at rest or relaxed. These measurements are shown in sequence from top to bottom - the systolic pressure measurement on top and the diastolic pressure measurement at the bottom.

A small, portable instrument called a blood pressure cuff or sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure. This consists of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff and measures the blood pressure in units called millimeters of mercury. If your reading is 110/70, you don't have to worry because it is a healthy blood pressure. But if it is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure, it means you have a high blood pressure, and you should seek medical attention.

Tip! ) Reduced sodium intake - You should eat no more than 5 grams of sodium in a day, if you have high blood pressure, which is 5,000 mgs. The closer to natural that you eat, the less sodium the food contains.

What causes hypertension? For more than 90% of people with high blood pressure, the cause is unidentifiable. This is referred to as primary or essential hypertension. A secondary hypertension, on the other hand, has underlying causes that include diseases in the arteries, chronic kidney diseases, chronic alcohol abuse, hormonal disturbances and preeclampsia. Certain medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants can cause secondary hypertension.

Many people do not take high blood pressure seriously. But little do they know that this is dangerous, because it causes the heart to work extra hard. You should be aware that the more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure will be. And once this becomes uncontrollable, you increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart attacks and stroke. So, why let this happen if you can do something about it? Only a simple test is needed to detect high blood pressure. Once you know your condition, work with your doctors to control it.

Tip! Activity - people who lead active lives are much less likely to develop high blood pressure or heart and artery disease.

High Blood Pressure provides detailed information on High Blood Pressure, High Blood Pressure Symptoms, High Blood Pressure Treatments, High Blood Pressure Medications and more. High Blood Pressure is affiliated with Discount Hearing Aids.

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