How To Treat High Or Low Blood Pressure

Knowing a few basics facts about blood pressure can help you deal with any serious effects of high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is measured by a combination of two factors; how much blood is pumped, along with a measure of the resistance in the arterioles. If you have determined that you have high blood pressure, you’ve taken the first step toward making lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure. Because of increased public awareness about risk factors and unhealthy eating habits, deaths resulting from coronary heart disease have been reduced significantly over recent years.

There are five immediate goals to pursue when trying to lower blood pressure.

1. Lose weight. Try to start by losing at least 10 pounds.
2. Reduce salt consumption to less than one-tenth of an ounce per day.
3. Consume no more than two alcoholic drinks per day.
4. Try to exercise 30 minutes, 3 times a week. Walking is one of the best ways to achieve this goal.
5. Stick to a low fat diet approved by the American Heart Association.

Of course, one of the main causes of high blood pressure is being overweight. Just a 10 pound reduction can reduce blood pressure enough to be able to stop taking medication upon approval of your doctor. Don’t crash diet; just eat three healthy, low fat, higher carbohydrate meals plus healthy snacks. Employ good eating habits such as eating slowly, carefully measuring portions, and leaving a little food on you plate at the end of a meal. Try to eat smaller portions at dinner instead of using that time for binge eating.

Regular exercise helps to protect you from diabetes, arthritis, stroke, and osteoporosis, as well as high blood pressure. Those who do not exercise have up to a 50 percent increased risk of high blood pressure, so regular exercise is well worth the time investment. The most perfect workout is a brisk walk for 30 to 45 minutes, three to five times a week.

Make mental notes about foods that you should avoid. Steer clear of saturated fats found in meat, egg yolks, whole mild, butter, whole cheeses, and shortenings. Stay with safe oils such as olive oil and canola oil.

Another nutritional factor is the addition of fiber to your diet. Include whole grains, oatmeal and plenty of fruits and vegetables for a great way to prevent high blood pressure. Apples and prunes will add pectin, which can help with lowering cholesterol.

Learn to enjoy the true taste of foods by seriously reducing salt in your diet. This is one of the most basic ways to lower blood pressure and you will learn to enjoy the natural flavors of vegetables and other foods.

All of these changes won’t happen overnight, but slowly start eating healthier, adding exercise and monitoring your blood pressure. Together with your doctor, you can lower blood pressure, live healthier, and reduce your risk of heart diseases.

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One of the most important pieces of medical data about your body is your blood pressure. A key component in understanding blood pressure is the ability to read blood pressure charts. Blood pressure is analogous to the water pressure of water going through plumbing in your house or through your garden hose.

Blood pressure is measured by two different numbers – diastolic blood pressure is the pressure (measured in milligrams of mercury) between beats of your heart, and systolic blood pressure is the amount of pressure put on your arteries when your heart is contracted, forcing blood through the system.

Normal blood pressure ranges from 100 over 60 to about 120 over 80, systolic over diastolic. Dystolic blood pressure is a technical term for when your systolic blood pressure is over 100 “points” higher than your diastolic pressure. Typical causes of that include internal bleeding and similar issues, where your diastolic pressure is low.

Blood pressure below 100 over 60 constitutes low blood pressure. People with low blood pressure tend to show many of the classic signs of anemia – they have low energy, and get dizzy from sudden movements – the “head rush” syndrome is a case of low blood pressure. Low blood pressure is quite common among teenagers, especially boys. As they go through a growth spurt, their body needs to adjusts to their body’s increase need for blood pressure to circulate blood to their extremities.

The “perfect” blood pressure appears to be in the range of 115 over 75, and “normal” blood pressure is 120 over 80. High blood pressure is the diagnosis when systolic blood pressure is 140 or higher for sustained periods of time, or diastolic pressure is elevated above 90 for extended periods of time.

High blood pressure is a medical condition that, while not directly damaging to the body in and of itself, is a leading indicator of other problems. It is a common precursor for problems like kidney disease, and eventually leads to arterial breakdowns throughout the body (especially in the heart) and ultimately can cause stroke – where a blood vessel breaks in the brain denying it blood and oxygen.

To treat high blood pressure, you need accurate data about what is and is not normal for your body. Like any periodic medical measurement, it needs to be done as a time series. Get accurate information on your blood pressure charts, read them carefully, and buy a digital blood pressure cuff so you can take your own measurements and know what’s normal for you! Then, armed with good data, start taking proactive measures to manage your blood pressure.

If your blood pressure is low, take some licorice just before doing athletic activities to boost it. If it’s normal, make sure you get a good 6 to 8 hours of rest each night, and try to exercise for 30 minutes every other day to the point of getting an elevated heart rate. If it’s high, take up activities that reduce stress and talk to your doctor about dietary and lifestyle changes. Understanding blood pressure charts and taking the precautions to maintain a healthy blood pressure reading can help you live a longer, healthier life.

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