5 things you didn't know about high blood pressure

Some facts about high blood pressure:

1. It's extremely common

Nearly one in three adults in this country has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of them don't know they have it. The only way to tell whether you have it is to have your blood pressure checked.

2. Why you should worry

A 2005 study found that 50-year-olds with normal blood pressure live longer -- about five years more -- compared with those with high blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure.

3. Reading the numbers

Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers -- the systolic pressure (top number) over the diastolic pressure (bottom number). The top is the pressure of blood in the vessels when the heart contracts. The bottom is the pressure of the blood between heartbeats, when the heart is at rest and is refilling.

4. Is yours high?

Under the latest guidelines from the American Heart Association, a resting blood pressure reading below 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) is "normal." If your resting blood pressure is consistently 140/90 or higher, you have high blood pressure. A reading between those levels places you in the prehypertensive category.

5. How to combat it

There is no cure, but you may be able to lower your blood pressure by eating more fruits and vegetables and less fat and salt. Exercising at least 20 minutes a day on most days of the week also helps. Lose weight if you're overweight, stop smoking and drink only one to two alcoholic drinks a day. (Some studies say that drinking more than three to four ounces of 80-proof alcohol per day will raise blood pressure.)

Source: http://www.northjersey.com

Lowering blood pressure in a natural way - eating dark chocolate

Of course this is not a joke, a study was made in the US by specialists and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association about eating dark chocolate to lower the blood pressure. One bar of chocolate is enough to lower the blood pressure in a natural and so enjoyable way. It is also helping to improve the insulin resistance.

It was already known that food rich in flavinols are lowering the blood pressure. Flavinols are also called in a medical scientific language as natural antioxidants, and the aliments that are containing these antioxidants are like tea and red wine, but from now on we will put on this list the dark chocolate, too.
The study was pretty simple. It took place at University of L’Aguila in Italy particular for lowering the blood pressure, so it wasn't an accidental discover. At the study participate 20 persons, half men, half women, all suffering from high blood pressure. None of these persons took any medicaments or followed any treatment for lowering the blood pressure. But also they hadn't been suffering from another disease and the won't smoking. For the experiment to be perfect and for the results to be visible regarding lowering their blood pressure, the participants avoid chocolate for 2 weeks.

The experiments begin with dividing the group in two, one of them ate dark chocolate and the other white one. The amount was the same, a bar of 3.5oz daily for 15 days. Another week passed with no flavionoid foods and the groups swapped the type of chocolate. The white chocolate was the perfect control food for this lower blood pressure study as it containing all ingredients in the dark one but no flavinoids at all.

A very significant lowering of the blood pressure was found on the group that consumed the dark chocolate for 15 days, and not any blood pressure lowering in the group eating white chocolate. Another successful treatment, beside lowering blood pressure was the reduction in insulin resistance at the group eating dark chocolate. Also the bad cholesterol level decreased by 10 percent. At the group eating only white chocolate there was no changing regarding lowering blood pressure or cholesterol level; they were the same as the beginning of the experiment.

But the best natural ways to lower blood pressure still remains exercise and diet and a non-natural on medicaments prescriptions. All these can't be replaced with the eating of chocolate. Also it's very recommendable and occasional eating of small bar of dark chocolate rich in flavinoids to lower your blood pressure. It is also good for your taste buds and also it is helping your heart.



Source: 365articles.com

Co-operative marriage helps female heart health

Okay all you stressed-out working women, here's one more compelling reason your spouse should help bathe the kids, share homework duty and throw in a few loads of laundry while you're commuting home from work: it's good for your heart.

Both men and women are vulnerable to higher blood pressure as a result of job stress, according to a recent study by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The good news is that among women, the elevated blood pressure – which heightens risk of heart attack and stroke – can be offset by having a supportive partner at home.

The same benefits, however, don't show up among the guys.

"The impact of marital support was lost on the men," says Dr. Sheldon Tobe, a nephrologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and co-author of the study. "I was blown away looking at the results."

Tobe says while previous research has shown the link between job stress and higher blood pressure, this study, which over a year involved 229 men and women who were not being treated for high blood pressure, focused on the interaction between stress both at work and at home.

It showed that over time, women with work stress experienced an increase in blood pressure, but that it was counteracted by marital support. Men, however, didn't show similar physical benefits. Their stress and blood-pressure levels didn't appear to be affected by what was going on at home.

To Dr. Brian Baker, associate professor of psychiatry at U of T and co-author of the study, the gender gap doesn't come as a surprise. He notes there's a growing body of research showing that women's emotional and physical health tends to be more affected by the benefits and disadvantages of marriage.

"Men and women are hard-wired differently," he says. While there are exceptions, in general, men tend to be more independent and less emotionally sensitive to their environments, while women – traditionally the caregivers and nurturers – are more attuned and affected by their surroundings and relationships.

Linda Lewis-Daly can attest to the health benefits from a marriage characterized by teamwork and mutual support. Now 44, Lewis-Daly had a heart attack five years ago. At the time, she was a fit and active "Type A personality and Type E woman" who was being treated for high blood pressure. She was also a single mother of two young children with a demanding corporate job. Today, she is fit and healthy – and vigilant about monitoring her blood pressure and stress levels.

And she says along with lifestyle changes, her three-year marriage is a key ingredient to her health. She and her husband Francis, who have four kids between them, each have jobs and divide the household chores.

"I think there are huge emotional and physical benefits to having a spouse who's actually involved in the day-to-day running of the household," says Lewis-Daly, who has her own business as a consultant on workplace health and wellness.

Nothing takes the daily pressure off like a husband who helps with math homework, takes the kids to dance and hockey, does the ironing, changes the beds and takes turns grocery shopping, she says.

She sees lots of women carrying job stress that's compounded by the demands of doing double duty and having little support from spouses. "You can see the resentment start to build and that can manifest itself in health issues," she says.

Source: http://www.thestar.com

Lower your blood pressure, save your life

High blood pressure, which usually has no symptoms, is hard on the heart and other organs.

To help keep this “silent killer” at bay, consider these facts and tips from Dr. Michael Prisant, director of the Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology Unit at the Medical College of Georgia’s Cardiovascular Center.

High blood pressure can cause:

• the heart to get larger, which can lead to heart failure.

• small bulges (aneurysms) to form in blood vessels. Common locations are the main artery from the heart; arteries in the brain, legs, and intestines; and the artery leading to the spleen.

• blood vessels in the kidneys to narrow, which might cause kidney failure.

• arteries throughout the body to harden faster, especially those in the heart, brain, kidneys and legs. This can cause a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure, or lead to amputation of part of the leg.

• blood vessels in the eyes to burst or bleed, which can cause vision changes and can result in blindness.

SOURCE: National Institutes of Health, www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci

Get regular blood-pressure checks. One-third of Americans have high blood pressure and might not know it. Blood pressure below 120/80 is considered normal. A consistent reading of 140/90 or higher is considered high.

Your doctor should measure your blood pressure twice at every visit after a five-minute rest period. Most doctors will diagnose high blood pressure on the basis of two or more readings, taken on several occasions.

Control your risk factors. High blood pressure can’t be cured, but it can be prevented and controlled in most cases. Adopt healthy habits:

• Eat healthful foods

• Eat less salt

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Exercise

• Limit alcohol

• Don’t smoke

Use medicine if needed. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to control your blood pressure, your doctor might prescribe medications. Be careful mixing these with over-the-counter drugs. Drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen might interfere with blood pressure-lowering medications.

Source: http://www.thestate.com

You Need A Blood Pressure Monitor

by A.Caxton

People today are more and more aware of what they need to do to ensure that they live long, healthy lives. Eating well, exercising, and getting a good night's sleep are the three keys to maintaining your health, and prevention is always better than cure.

There are many tools that can be acquired by the average individual to help them keep track of their health, and one of these is a blood pressure monitor.

Probably everyone has seen the blood pressure monitor stations in pharmacies, and has sat there and checked their blood pressure at one time or another.

But checking your blood pressure sporadically, or every six months when you visit your doctor, does not help very much. A single reading means nothing. It is only by checking your blood over the course of time that a true picture of the state of your blood pressure will be shown.

And these days, portable blood pressure monitors are so inexpensive and easy to use that there is no reason why you should not acquire one to keep in your own home - and use on a daily basis.

If people suffer from high blood pressure, or have a family history of heart disease, such a monitor is imperative. Athletes concerned with their progress will also find the monitor helpful.

What Is A Blood Pressure Monitor

A home monitor consists of a cuff which you place around your bicep. This is connected to a small machine full of electronics, with a digital display. You press the Start button, and the cuff immediately inflates and tighten on your arm. Because it is so tight, it can sense how quickly the blood is flowing through your veins. This is your blood pressure.

The numbers given are your systolic and diastolic numbers, and your pulse.

Keep a notebook beside the machine, and each day take your blood pressure in the morning and at night. Write down the numbers in your notebook, and if you ever see any noticeable difference, especially if the numbers become very high, you'll know that it's time to visit your doctor for a consultation.

What does "systolic" and "diastolic" mean, anyway?

The definition of "systolic" is: The blood pressure when the heart is contracting.

The definition of "diastolic" is: The arterial pressure during the interval between heartbeats.

In other words, your heart contracts and then relaxes with each heartbeat - pushing your blood through your veins. When it contracts it is called systole and when it relaxes it is called diastole.

So you've taken your blood pressure. The typical numbers for a healthy human being are around 120 systolic and 80 diastolic. If your numbers are near these, that's good. If you've been exercising or under stress your numbers may be inflated - that's why it's important to take daily readings so that you can compare them over time. If your numbers are consistently higher than this, it would be well to visit your doctor - bringing your records with you - to see if anything is amiss.

Alastair Hamilton is the copywriter of http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com . For additional information regarding blood pressure or cycling training go to Polar heart rate monitors

Article Source: ArticleRich.com

3 dont's for your high blood pressure

1. Don't take too much salt: Too much salt can elevate your blood pressure. Check for the quantity of salt or sodium present in the food before you purchase or consume it.
   
2. Don't get less sleep: Remember, if you don't take enough sleep, it may raise your blood pressure. The more you sleep the more normal is your blood pressure. Sleeplessness increases the level of stress hormones, which can ignite the sympathetic nervous system thereby causing many complications.
   
3. Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight can add to your hypertension problems. If you are overweight, start working towards a healthy weight. You can do this by limiting the size of your meals and snacks, and by refraining from high calorie foods.

Source: http://www.blood-pressure-updates.com

Remember about your high blood pressure

If you living with high blood pressure, you must to remember 6 rules that you need to follow:

1. Keep a track of your blood pressure: Living with high blood pressure is not a kid’s stuff. You need to monitor your blood pressure levels on a daily basis. Today, there are lots of devices available in the market that facilitate you to monitor your blood pressure on own. Get one such monitor at your home and monitor your blood pressure regularly. Also make sure that you maintain accurate records for the same.
   
2. See your doctor regularly: Be in regular touch with your health care provider. If you are confused about your dosage, ask your doctor again. And if you notice any side effects, inform your doctor without delay.
3. Keep enough medicine: Make sure you refill your hypertension medicines before you run out of them. Take your medicines on time and as directed.
4. Cultivate a healthier lifestyle: Consult your doctor and ask him about what you should eat. You can also ask him about and then start the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. DASH is a clinically proven diet recommended for reducing high blood pressure
5. Eat a balanced diet: Hypertension requires the intake of a healthy diet. Take foods which are high in potassium and rich in fiber.
   
6. Exercise daily: Make it a point to exercise for at least 30 minutes daily. This will go a long way in helping you control your blood pressure.

Source: http://www.blood-pressure-updates.com