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If
you are an adult and your normal blood pressure level is 140/90 mm Hg or
above, you could be at risk for heart disease, stroke and other medical
problems.
High blood pressure has no symptoms
One in four adult Americans has high blood pressure, and nearly one-third
of them don't know they have it.
Factors that contribute to high blood pressure:
Controllable risk factors
1- Obesity —.
2- Eating too much salt —
3- Alcohol —.
4- Lack of exercise —
5- Stress
Uncontrollable risk factors
Heredity
Age
Blood pressure can change from minute to minute, with changes in posture,
exercise or sleeping, but it should normally be less than 140/90 mm Hg for
an adult at rest. Blood pressure that stays above this level is considered
high.
Several readings over a period are necessary before making a judgment about
whether your blood pressure is considered to be in a high level range.
· The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is
beating.
· The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is
resting between beats.
AT COMPLETE REST, WITHOUT TALKING FOR TEN MINUTES:
Blood pressure of less than 140 over 90 is considered a normal reading for
adults. A systolic pressure of 130 to 139 or a diastolic pressure of 85 to
89 needs to be watched carefully. A blood pressure reading equal to or
greater than 140 (systolic) over 90 (diastolic) is considered elevated
(high).
High blood pressure is a lifelong disease. It can be controlled but not
cured.
Maintaining a lower blood pressure is easier.
By controlling high blood pressure, risk of diseases like stroke, heart
attack, heart failure and kidney disease, is lower.
The best treatment may include a low-fat diet, a low-salt diet, and changes
in living habits such as quitting smoking, losing weight and getting more
exercise, Reducing alcohol intake
Many medicines also can help reduce and control high blood pressure if the
first steps are inefficient.
High blood pressure can hurt the body in many ways.
Because the heart must work harder than normal for a long time, it tends to
get bigger
High blood pressure is the No. 1 modifiable risk factor for stroke. It may
also contribute to
Heart attacks,
Kidney failure
Arteriosclerosis.
Compared to people with controlled high blood pressure, people with
uncontrolled high blood pressure are:
· Three times more likely to develop coronary heart disease
· Six times more likely to develop congestive heart failure
· Seven times more likely to have a stroke
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. In fact, many people have high
blood pressure for years without knowing it.
The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it
checked!
A single reading showing high blood pressure doesn't mean you have high
blood pressure, but it's a sign that you need to watch it carefully
How is blood pressure checked?
Complete Rest and No Talking for 10 minutes!
High blood pressure is a lifelong disease.
It can be controlled but not cured.
Lower your risk of diseases like stroke, heart attack, heart failure and
kidney disease
Low-fat diet, a low-salt diet, and changes in living habits such as
quitting smoking, losing weight and getting more exercise. Reducing alcohol
intake
10 commandments:
1- Check blood pressure regularly
2- Lessen weight
3- Avoid salty food
4- Eat a low fat diet
5- Do not smoke
6- Take medicines exactly as prescribed
7- Consult Doctor regularly
8- Exercise
9- Inform and check your relatives blood pressure regularly
10- Live a normal life in every other way.
Treatment for high blood pressure
Lifestyle changes that help to control your risk factors.
Overweight.
Regular physical activity. Regular physical activity 30–60 minutes a day
for at least three days a week. Physical activity should definitely be a
part of your life. Don't be afraid to be active.
Avoid excessive alcohol. But not Red Wine.
Stop smoking
Relaxing for short periods during your workday, at night and on weekends
Decrease sodium (salt) intake.
Eat enough fruits, vegetables, fat-free and low-fat dairy products. Such
diets are rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium and protein, and low in
total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.
A woman taking oral contraceptives is more likely to develop high blood
pressure if she’s overweight, has had high blood pressure during pregnancy,
has a family history of high blood pressure or has mild kidney disease.
Some medications can raise blood pressure such drugs as steroids,
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nasal decongestants and
other cold remedies, diet pills, cyclosporine, erythropoetin, tricyclic antidepressants
and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Many medications, known as antihypertensives, are available to lower high
blood pressure.
- Diuretics rid the body of excess fluids and salt (sodium).
- Beta blockers, reduce the heart rate and the heart’s output of blood
- Sympathetic nerve inhibitors. Sympathetic nerves go from the brain to all
parts of the body, including the arteries. They can cause the arteries to
constrict, raising blood pressure. This class of drugs reduces blood
pressure by inhibiting these nerves from constricting blood vessels.
- Vasodilators. These can cause the muscle in the walls of the blood
vessels (especially the arterioles) to relax, allowing the vessel to dilate
(widen).
- ACE inhibitors interfere with the body’s production of angiotensin, a
chemical that causes the arteries to constrict.
- Angistensin II receptor blockers block the effects of angiotensin.
- Calcium antagonists can reduce the heart rate and relax blood vessels.
Enduring the inconvenience of medication is still much better than
suffering a stroke or heart attack. Most people who are treated
successfully live a long and healthy life.
Not everyone with high blood pressure needs to be treated with drugs listed
here.
Reducing weight, eating properly and getting the right amount of exercise
may be enough, without any medication.
Medication can't be stopped, in most cases, even after blood pressure is
lowered. Some treatment must be continued over a lifetime for good results.
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