Posts Tagged ‘Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure’

High Blood Pressure is Called the Silent Killer

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Health is not just a goal, it is an ongoing process. Health and ill health depend on the power of digestion. Healthy, low fat foods are a great way to change your diet for the better. Healthy food provides quality fuel, and will improve your health while raising your energy levels. Healthy people who have blood pressure that is low but still in the normal range (when measured at rest) tend to live longer than people who have higher normal blood pressure.

Blood pressure is an important diagnostic index, especially of circulatory function. Blood pressure is not the same all the time; it changes to meet your body’s needs. Blood pressure is continually changing depending on activity, temperature, diet, emotional state, posture, physical state, and medication use. Blood pressure is elevated for two main reasons: too high blood volume too narrow blood vessels due to a substance our kidneys make called angiotensin. However, the biggest problem with treatment of high blood pressure is not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of the application of our current knowledge.

Weight loss appears to have a stronger blood pressure-lowering effect than dietary salt restriction. Weight reduction in the obese individual also may serve to lower blood pressure; in addition, the avoidance of excessive weight provides other health benefits. Among school-age kids and teens, hypertension is usually linked to excess weight. If there’s no underlying illness, your child’s doctor may recommend weight loss, increased intake of fruits and vegetables, decreased salt intake, increased exercise, and even relaxation techniques.

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for having a heart attack. Smoking is directly linked with the development of coronary artery disease. Smoking is bad not only for the blood vessels, but bad for health in general-Sodium intake: For some individuals too much intake of salt (sodium) may cause an increase in blood pressure. For example, smoking and high blood pressure cause a greater risk to health than obesity. However, the combined effect of stopping smoking, cutting down the amount of saturated you eat and lowering your blood pressure causes a very large reduction in your risk of having a stroke or having a heart attack.

When high blood pressure is not found and treated, it can cause: The heart to get larger, which may lead to heart failure. If high blood pressure is left unchecked, it can cause blood vessels in the kidneys to become thickened and narrowed, possibly leading to reduced blood supply and reduced kidney

function. For that reason, the diagnosis of high blood pressure is important so efforts can be made to normalize blood pressure and prevent complications. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it usually has no noticeable warning signs or symptoms until other serious problems arise.

High Blood Pressure Diet: the Foods That You Need to Maintain Normal Blood Pressure Readings

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

Normal blood pressure readings can be maintained by implementing a high blood pressure diet, getting daily physical activity and intending to be stress-free and positive. The adverse effects and symptoms of high blood pressure never have to be allowed to affect your health and happiness.

Planning, preparing and enjoying the foods that comprise a high blood pressure diet is a wonderfully-healthy and deliciously-fun element of your new holistic lifestyle. Your High Blood Pressure Diet needs to include the following food types:

Foods that are low in sodium.

Even when people think they are buying “healthy” foods, many times they are not. You can buy a package of wild rice with some type of seasoning packet in it and it does have some healthy characteristics. It is very low in all types of fats. It has zero cholesterol. It provides excellent proteins and complex carbohydrates. However, it has a ton of sodium in it. And remember, each package is made for a family – not an individual.

You need to start paying close attention to the sodium levels listed on the labels of the foods that you eat. In addition, do the following:

 

Foods that are low in saturated and Trans fats.

It should come as no surprise by now that saturated and Trans fats are the single largest killer on the planet besides world governments. Every disease that is preventable is made extremely more probabilistic when the diet contains sources for these destructive fat types.

 

Your high blood pressure diet needs to be based on healthy food intake choices that are low in sodium and solid fats. It’s really as simple as that. In addition, you need to avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, simple sugars and cholesterol. These are the killers of people all across the planet and are not to be taken lightly.

Maintaining normal blood pressure is not burdensome; it is a pleasure to live and eat in  a healthy fashion. Treat yourself and your family well and you all will be able to effectively avoid and/or reverse the development of high blood pressure.

 

High Blood Pressure Symptoms: Spotting the “silent Killer”

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Many times, there are no obvious high blood pressure symptoms at all. In fact, high blood pressure, aka hypertension or simply HBP, often goes unnoticed until it has advanced to severe degrees and begins causing damage to various bodily systems. That’s why it is often referred to as the Silent Killer. Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause a person to have significantly higher probabilities for coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and kidney problems and/or failure.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

In the earlier stages of HBP development, no symptoms may be present at all. However, there are reports of those who experience regular:

 

Of course, these symptoms can be representative of many ailments and are therefore difficult to discern as signs of HBP per say. If you are concerned about possibly having or developing high blood pressure, the best approach to take is to purchase a home testing device and check yourself regularly. It is important to realize that all of our blood pressure readings fluctuate many times throughout each day.

That is completely normal as there are various factors that change blood pressure. It takes a physician to actually diagnose high blood pressure and at which of the possible stages of development that it is in. In general, people are diagnosed with having high blood pressure if their blood pressure readings are found to be consistently high over a given time period through regular professional testing.

High Blood Pressure Diet

The best method for combating high blood pressure readings and regulating them is to initiate a high blood pressure diet into your everyday lifestyle. It’s actually quite straightforward. The HBP diet is comprised of foods that are low in sodium, low in fats, low in simple sugars (monosaccharides), high in calcium, high in potassium and also high in quality proteins, fiber and magnesium. In other words, you need to eat a lot of plants – vegetables, legumes and fruits.

In addition, you need to keep away from foods that are processed. These are commonly overloaded with sodium, preservatives and are other nutritionally-void and detrimental substances. Here are the foods that you should concentrate on – in order of importance:

 

You should avoid the following foods to maintain normal blood pressure readings:

 

In addition to a sensible high blood pressure diet, you should also begin to exercise for about half an hour every single day. Living healthily by eating properly and exercising daily is your right – and it is a blessing to yourself and to those around you. Take the time to manage your stress as well. Meditation, Yoga, Pilates, breathing exercises (pranayama) and simply intending to remain positive in all situations makes you thrive through life and remain vibrantly happy.

High blood pressure symptoms are manageable and almost always able to reversed. Just love yourself by eating right and staying active. The results will begin to show almost immediately!

High Blood Pressure and Herbs That Help

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

High blood pressure is one of the most serious problems today with reports estimating that more than 50 million Americans suffer from the condition. High blood pressure usually doesn’t cause any symptoms in the early stages and often runs in families.High blood pressure illness is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). High blood pressure or (hypertension) is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. The illness can also be caused by an underlying conditions: such as kidney disease, hormonal disorders, thyroid disease, adrenal gland disease, and the use of certain drugs, such as oral contraceptives, or herbs such as licorice.  High blood pressure is a very dangerous, sometimes life-threatening condition, affecting people all around the world.  It occurs when there is an increase of force against the arterial wall, with potentially damaging consequences.  The illness occurs more often in men than in women, and in African Americans almost twice as often as in Caucasians. The disease is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and it contributes to hardening of the arteries. It can occur in children or adults, but it’s more common among people over age 35. It is believed by some in the medical profession that High blood pressure can be cured by taking high amounts of magnesium and calcium in food.High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but it can cause serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.  It is also estimated to affect about two million American teens and children and the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that many are under-diagnosed.Herbal medicines rarely have significant side effects when used appropriately and at suggested doses. Herbal remedies can effectively be used to treat high blood pressure instead of the pharmaceutical drugs by those who want to avoid such adverse reactions as dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, dry mouth, headaches, bloating, constipation, depression, and others caused by anti-hypertensive medications. Herbs are effective but it is important that you consult your doctor and understand the severity of your condition first so that the correct approach is taken. Herbs have shown overwhelming evidence that they work. Herbs that lower blood pressure such as Stevia and Passionflower have been scientifically validated in a study in the early 1980’s. They act in almost magical and astonishing ways: spasms may relax, pains vanish, constipation overcome, nervousness recede, headaches disappear, colds banished, allergies counteracted, fevers controlled, and blood flow arrested.  High blood pressure tea, a mixture of valerian root, ginger root, motherwort leaves, and hawthorn berries and flowers can also be used to reduce hypertension. Herbal tea is more available nowadays and has become more popular among mainstream consumers who are discovering the benefits of herbal tea.   Garlic helps to break up toxins which leads to abnormal blood pressure and heart problems.  Garlic is one of the most ancient of herbs going back to 3,000 BC. This bulb that is so common and abundantly available has shown to be beneficial.  Garlic (Allium Sativum) has been used to treat high blood pressure and lower cholesterol effectively. In a meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials of garlic supplements, it was indicated that in three trials it showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and four in diastolic blood pressure.  Garlic supplements should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. High blood pressure garlic can be taken but should not be taken alone for it can increase dullness of the mind.  Herbal hawthorn and vitamin C helps in widening of blood vessels and regulate heart rate.  Herbal products like fish oils and flax-seed oil help in proper blood circulation as well.