What Causes High Blood Pressure

Posts Tagged ‘High Blood Pressure Treatment’

High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” because in its initial stages there tend to be no signs or symptoms to show that someone has elevated blood pressure levels. Unfortunately, unless they have their blood pressure monitored on a regular basis, they only know they have it when certain high blood pressure symptons start to manifest if the condition begins to worsen.
The complications of high blood pressure can be grave, including an increased risk of a stroke, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney failure.
In some cases a person may not realize they have had high blood pressure for many years, and in mildly elevated blood pressure this may not lead to any lasting damage. The only real way of being able to diagnose effectively if a person is suffering from high blood pressure is by having it monitored on a regular basis.
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There are a number of ways this can be done either you visit your doctor or health professional and they will carry out the test or you can do it at home using a home blood pressure monitoring kit. However if you are looking to be provided with an accurate reading as well as ways of helping to treat the condition then the best thing you should do is arrange for regular readings to take place at your doctor’s surgery.
For those that do suffer symptoms with high blood pressure, or those where the blood pressure levels have reached a severe state then they may find that they suffer with the following symptoms:
1. Headaches (more than normal). This is because not enough oxygen is being able to gain access to your brain through the blood being pumped around your body. For many people this is because their arteries and veins have become constricted and so it makes it much more difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body.
2. Dizzy spells - Again caused by insufficient oxygen being supplied to the brain.
3. Shortness of Breath
4. Blurred Vision
5. Nosebleeds
Unfortunately, many people really do not know if they have a problem, and so they risk damaging arteries and potentially damage to the major organs in the body. In fact, it is believed that up to a third of all the people who have hypertension are not diagnosed and are unaware they are suffering with the condition.
It is therefore essential that those people over the age of 40, who suffer from diabetes or other serious conditions including heart problems or if there is a history of high blood pressure in their family are made completely aware of what high blood pressure symptoms are. In this way they will be able to react much more quickly and seek their doctor’s advice if they think at any stage that their blood pressure has risen above what is considered to be normal.
Also, everyone should have their blood pressure monitored on a regular basis, even those that are not considered as high risk and are not showing any high blood pressure symptons.

Blood pressure is a measure of the force that the blood applies to the walls of the arteries as it flows through them. It’s normal for blood pressure to increase when you exert yourself, or when you feel stressed or anxious. But if your blood pressure is consistently higher than normal at rest, this is high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

High blood pressure (hbp) or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the diastolic pressure.

The most commonly used diuretic to treat high blood pressure in the UK is called bendroflumethiazide (bendrofluazide) - but there are others. For example, chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, cyclopenthiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, and indapamide. Diuretics work by increasing the amount of salt and fluid that you pass out in your urine. This has some effect on reducing the fluid in the circulation which reduces blood pressure.

They may also have a ‘relaxing’ effect on the blood vessels which reduces the pressure within the blood vessels. Only a low dose of a diuretic is needed to treat high blood pressure. Therefore, you will not notice much diuretic effect (you will not pass much extra urine).

The preferred treatment of choice for those suffering high blood pressure is usually a change of lifestyle. For those who are overweight, smoke, lead highly stressful lives or seldom exercise, sometimes this is the only wake up call they need. Once they make the necessary lifestyle adjustments, they will often find their blood pressure symptom restored to a more normal range.

Slightly raised blood pressure may not need to be treated so aggressively, but regular monitoring is important.If you have very severe high blood pressure, you may need to go to hospital for treatment. But it’s much more likely that you will be cared for by your GP and/or a nurse.

A recent study showed that they can be accurate, but sometimes are not. It usually is not possible to tell whether a particular machine is working properly. The cuff should inflate and fit snugly around your arm.

Diabetes considerably increases the risk of cardiovascular disease if hypertension is also present, so the targets for blood pressure control in diabetes are tighter.

High blood pressure can occur in children or adults, but it’s more common among people over age 35. It’s particularly prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills.

It may run in families, but many people with a strong family history of high blood pressure never have it. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are more likely to have high blood pressure, too.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often characterized as the silent killer–and for good reason. Although it affects an estimated one in five North Americans, many people don’t experience any symptoms. As a result, less than one-quarter of sufferers actually receive treatment. Left untreated, however, it can severely damage the cardiovascular system, leading to death from stroke, heart attack or kidney failure. Most high blood pressure patients are candidates for medications, including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and diuretics. However, statistics show that of the 20 to 30 million individuals diagnosed with high blood pressure, less than half stay on their medication for more than one year. Moreover, 60 per cent of those who lower their medication do so because of side-effects. Given this information, the use of nutritional and botanical supplements, along with the adoption of a healthier lifestyle, can be of immense benefit in fighting this hidden killer. Lifestyle and Dietary Approaches

If you wish to either prevent or treat high blood pressure, changing how you eat, sleep, and respond to stress are very important considerations. In the eight-week DASH trial conducted by the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in 1997, 70 percent of volunteers who eliminated meat and sugar, decreased unhealthy fat intake, and increased fruit and vegetable consumption decreased blood pressure to below 140/90 mm/Hg compared to just 45 percent of those who only ate more fruits and vegetables. Individuals with high blood pressure should decrease sodium intake to approximately three grams per day and add at least four daily servings of foods rich in potassium (beans, spinach, melon, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, avocados). Decreasing sodium intake alone has reduced blood pressure by 8.4 mm/Hg systolic and 4.4 mm/Hg diastolic. Moreover, alcohol intake should be reduced to less than two drinks per day. Research has shown that a shift from five to two drinks daily can decrease blood pressure by 8 mm/Hg systolic and 4.4 mm/Hg diastolic. A structured exercise program is another important factor. In one study, an average weight reduction of 4.5 kg by individuals who were 10 to 65 per cent overweight led to a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure after just six months. In addition, stopping smoking is a must for anyone diagnosed with hypertension.

Stress Management and Sleep

Those with high blood pressure need to employ stress management and relaxation techniques. This concept was investigated by Dr. D. Shapiro and associates from the department of psychiatry and bio behavioural sciences at the University Of California Los Angeles School Of Medicine. Individuals with a mild to moderate increase in blood pressure were given blood pressure-lowering medications and then divided at random into two groups. One group performed simple stress management techniques, while the other did not. Remarkably, 55 percent of those who employed stress-reducing strategies were able to remain medication free, compared to only 30 percent in the control group, as found after a one-year follow-up examination. A good night’s sleep is also important. Researchers from the University of Pavia in Italy found that high blood pressure patients deprived of sleep had significant increases in blood pressures and heart rates, especially during the evening. CoQ10, Magnesium and Fish Oil

Several supplements have proven to be of great value in the fight against hypertension. One is coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), or ubiquinone. One study of 18 patients with high blood pressure concluded that 100 milligrams of CoQ10 daily for 10 weeks lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 10.6 and 7.7 mm/Hg respectively. In addition to CoQ10, 480 mg of magnesium oxide daily for two months decreased blood pressure on average by 2.5 mm/Hg systolic and 1.4 mm/Hg diastolic over 24 hours in individuals with mild to moderate hypertension. (Those employing magnesium therapy are cautioned that this may lead to episodes of diarrhea.) Fish oils rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are also helpful adjuncts in the control of blood pressure. Individuals with mild increases in blood pressure were given either two grams of EPA and 1.4 g of DHA from fish oil (approximately 12 1,000-mg capsules of an 18 percent EPA/12 percent DHA mixture) or a placebo every day for four months. After only eight weeks, blood pressure was reduced by 6 mm/Hg systolic and 5 mm/Hg diastolic. Individuals wishing to try this high-dose fish oil approach should also increase vitamin E intake to 800 IU per day. Garlic and Reishi Mushroom

For those with mild to moderate elevations in blood pressure, garlic and reishi mushroom may be of value. The use of standardized garlic (Allium sativum) supplements at a dose of up to 900 mg per day for 12 to 16 weeks decreases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with moderate elevations in blood pressure. In fact, one study concluded that garlic supplements decreased standing diastolic pressure from 101 to 90 mm/Hg and systolic pressure from 171 to 150 mm/Hg after 12 weeks. Unlike garlic, the use of reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum or Ling zhi in Chinese) in the treatment of hypertension is not well recognized. However, the conclusions of a recent trial suggest that it may be another helpful, natural, blood pressure-lowering agent. Fifty-five individuals on anti-hypertensive medications with moderate increases in blood pressure were given either 55 mg of concentrated reishi mushroom extract or a placebo, three times a day for one month. Unlike the 14 individuals in the placebo group, those taking the concentrated mushroom extract had a significant reduction in blood pressure. In conclusion, high blood pressure is a serious problem that affects one in four adults. It is important that individuals afflicted with this problem adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes quitting smoking, reducing stress, eating better, losing weight and increasing exercise. These changes, along with the judicious use of supplements and herbal therapies, can help combat this silent killer.

Alistrol Natural Supplement

Alistrol is a patented, proprietary blend of natural ingredients that have been used for centuries to help support healthy blood pressure. Use Alistrol everyday to help maintain healthy circulation and support cardio-vascular health. Time-tested for safety, the herbal extracts in Alistrol have no known side effects.

Studies confirm this unique blend of natural ingredients support healthy heart function. Helps maintain healthy arteries, helps support blood flow and central and peripheral vascular circulation. Furthermore, Alistrol helps maintain blood flow to the heart and supports healthy blood pressure in the pulmonary artery and all arteries in general.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is simply the pressure of blood against the walls of the main arteries. Two readings, systolic (when the heart is contracting) and diastolic (when the heart is relaxing), are measured by a device that records pressure changes in millimetres of mercury (mm/Hg). Various factors–age, stress, diet, exercise–will affect the readings. The following chart shows a continuum of blood pressure values including both healthy and unhealthy states.

Blood pressure

Systolic

Diastolic

Ideal

Less than 120 mm/Hg

Less than 80 mm/Hg

Mild hypertension

140 to 159 mm/Hg

90 to 99 mm/Hg

Moderate hypertension

160 to 179 mm/Hg

100 to 109 mm/Hg

Severe hypertension

More than 180 mm/Hg

More than 110 mm/Hg

High blood pressure could suffer you very much as it can lead you plenty of diseases such as heart attack, renal diseases and so on. To protect is the best choice of us. Anyway if you are having high blood pressure problem, do not be worry as there are many high blood pressure treatments.
Many people are diagnosed these days with high blood pressure problem, which is a direct reflection on an unhealthy lifestyle that we tend to lead. With companies pushing employees to do more and more, annual raises getting less and less, and the threat of unemployment if you push back, it is no wonder that high blood pressure problem is a common ailment that people complain about.
There are many blood pressure treatments; you should really consider natural remedies, as well as a lifestyle change, to more effectively combat this problem. Based on the effectiveness shown, even doctors and researchers are beginning to lean in this direction.
A balanced diet is the one choice of high blood treatment which if done correctly, will lower your blood pressure and ease the problem of high blood pressure. There are a variety of foods that is natural high blood treatment. Foods like fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids all play a role in dilating blood vessels, relaxing muscles, and overall allowing more efficient blood flow in your body.
Vegetables are also good for a high blood pressure treatment and vegetarians have strikingly lower blood pressure. Vegetables should preferably be taken raw. If they are cooked, it should be ensured that their natural juices are not burnt in the process of cooking. Vegetables like cucumber, carrot, tomato, onion, radish, cabbage and spinach are best taken in their raw form. The intake of salt should be restricted; in any case it should not be taken more than four grams or half a teaspoon a day. Baking powder, containing sodium carbonate, should also be avoided.
Garlic is regarded as one of the most effective high blood pressure treatment. The pressure and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasm of the small arteries. Garlic also slows the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, numbness, and shortness of breath and the formation of gas within the digestive tract. The average dosage should be two to three capsules a day to make a dent in the blood pressure.
The use of olive oil in diet may support high blood pressure treatment. Middle aged men with high blood pressure a few years ago concluded that the amount of monounsaturated fat in three tablespoons of olive oil a day could lower systolic pressure about nine points and diastolic pressure about six points. More remarkable, a study found that a mere two-thirds of a tablespoon of olive oil daily reduced blood pressure by about five systolic points and four diastolic points in men.
For high blood pressure and stress, you may also want to consider the health and medical benefits of aromatherapy, as an alternative way of high blood pressure treatment, which not only helps with your mental state to relax you, but has also been proven to help from a medical perspective.
So the high blood pressure treatments mostly include a mix of medication and a disciplined lifestyle. Here it must be noted that none of high blood pressure treatment will work if taken independently. Someone with high blood pressure treatment needs to follow the prescriptions punctually meanwhile adopting a health lifestyle marked by a controlled diet and regular workout or physical exercise.
Finally, one must also realize that an existing issue of high blood pressure could be aggravated by activities like smoking, drinking, and medicines containing steroids. Therefore, high blood pressure treatment is to take care to avoid such things as well from one’s daily activities.

If you are looking for a natural way of helping to control high blood pressure then a great place to start is by modifying your diet. A diet designed to reduce blood pressure should include plenty of fresh, fruits and vegetables as they contain essential minerals, nutrients and fiber, which can all help in a treatment plan to reduce high blood pressure. So what kinds of high blood pressure fruits and vegetables should a person be choosing to eat?
Generally a person should be eating fruits and vegetables which contain high amounts of fiber in them. This will help suppress the appetite and help the digestive process.
Fruits and vegetables to include in a diet to reduce high blood pressure include the following:
Asparagus
Carrots
Broccoli
Peas
Corn
Strawberries
Oranges
Apples
Pears
Bananas
Lentils
Chickpeas
But, most vegetables and fruits can be added into the diet, and they should replace the foods that need to be restricted from a high blood pressure diet, including processed foods, foods that contain high levels of sodium and food that are high in saturated fats.
The great thing about substituting these particular foods for those that are high in fat is not only do they make you feel fuller quicker, but they also provide you with good sources of nutrients and minerals, which are vital to keep your body healthy and boost the immune system.
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Also by eating more fruit and vegetables there is normally a natural reduction in the volume of calories consumed, and in many cases just by cutting back on the number of calories, thereby reducing weight, there is knock on reduction in the high blood pressure.
As well as increasing the amount of fiber you have in your diet you should also increase the amount of potassium as well. Fruit that is rich in potassium are bananas.
Why not place a few in a liquidizer with some freshly squeezed orange juice and some raspberries and you will have a really great tasting drink that is also helping to lower blood pressure, as it contains high amounts of fiber, potassium and all other beneficial nutrients.
To ensure that there is a sufficient mix of nutrients and variety in the diet, try and include three different colored vegetables on the plate for every meal. So for example you could have some grated carrot along with some lettuce and a couple of cherry tomato.
Also, if you do need to cook your vegetables or fruit it is best if they are steamed. This way they will not lose so many of their essential properties, which are vital to maintaining a healthy body.
A number of studies have been carried out show changing your diet can have the same beneficial impact on high blood pressure as taking medication. This does not mean that the medication prescribed by the doctor should not be taken - Of course it should. But it means that if a good diet is followed then the blood pressure can be regulated much faster, and the effects can last for longer.
A high blood pressure, fruits and vegetables diet, with the inclusion of lean low fat meats, can mean that not only is the blood pressure reduced, but also those that are overweight usually find they lose weight as well. Discuss any changes in diet before you make them with your doctor.

How Natural Supplement of High Blood Pressure Works?

Alistrol is a truly different blood-pressure-reducing supplement — a brand-new, all-natural approach to mitigating stubborn and dangerous high-blood-pressure conditions.

Alistrol has fine credentials. For instance, its formula was highlighted at the 2003 Inter-American Society for Hypertension Conference, sponsored by the American Heart Association. Its three major natural ingredients work synergistically with each other.

Alistrol works for people who have tried many other remedies without success. It has no known interactions with prescription high-blood-pressure medicines; you don’t have to risk stopping your other therapies in order to try out Alistrol.

Here’s what you’ll find inside Alistrol’s patented, natural, organic formula:

The Hawthorn berry is a health tonic. It is one of the most valuable and most effective natural berries that have magnificent health benefits. For centuries, hawthorn berry remains one of the most effective used botanical medicines for heart conditions particularly in Europe, Germany, Switzerland and now North America. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the use of Hawthorn supports overall health by:

To summarize, Hawthorn berry helps protect the arterial walls, can dilate (enlarge) coronary blood vessels (the vessels supplying the heart with vital oxygen, blood, and nutrients), and strengthens the heart’s pumping ability.

People who suffer from angina or hypertension (high blood pressure) may benefit from supplementing hawthorn berry to help alleviate their condition. Anyone who suffers from tachycardia (rapid heart beating) and cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) may also benefit from supplementing Alistrol to their daily regime.

Since the 19th century, hawthorn berries have been used to support the heart and to maintain cardiovascular functions. Hawthorn has a primary chemical constituent that includes vitamin C, flavonoids, (quercetin, quercetrin), glycosides, proanthocyanidins, anthocynaidins, saponins, tannins, and cratetegin. The genus name “Crataegus” comes from the Greek, “kratos”, which refers to the harness of the wood.

Alistrol’s ingredients are quite unique, reason being, the quality and ability for Alistrol to synergistically collaborate its ingredients is superior to any other hawthorn or product in the marketplace. We utilize high standards in our manufacturing of the ingredients. The stringent set of regulations encompasses every aspect of the manufacturing practice. Alistrol’s ingredients are produced in a GMP (Goods Manufacturing Practices) facility, which is the safest, and most controlled and inspected facilities by the health industry community. You’ll notice many companies marketing or selling this type of product will not have this crucial authorization.

The second ingredient in Alistrol is the Holly Leaf. The Holly Leaf is a small evergreen tree about 15m in height and is found in a wide range of soil types commonly useful evergreen shrub that can be grown as a specimen tree, clipped bushes or as a hedge. There are dozens of varieties, many with variegated leaves. Plants are either male or female. Both sexes are required for the female plants to produce their winterberries, which appear from late autumn to mid-winter. The Holly Leaf has only recently come to light for it’s health benefits especially as a relaxant and enhances blood circulation and supporting the arterial walls with a consistent blood and oxygen flow. This herb can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels and reduce high blood pressure with no known side effects, very effective.

Daikon cleanses the blood, promotes energy circulation and increases the metabolic rate. It contains diuretics, decongestants and, in terms of photochemical, the digestive enzymes diastase, amylase and esterase. This makes it a primary ingredient for natural herbal remedy to deal with the cause of high blood pressure.

In addition, regular use of Diakon in Alistrol helps prevent the common cold, flu and respiratory infections and Daikon treats hangovers, sore throats, colds and edema, and it helps cleanse the kidneys and decongest the lungs. Therefore, integrating Alistrol to your daily regime is a perfect combination in finding these herbs for high blood pressure.

Now remember natural herbal supplements like Alistrol, which lower high blood pressure naturally take time to showcase positive health benefits. Clinical studies have shown that taking the ingredients of Alistrol for 6-8 weeks showcase positive results and one may take a smaller dosage thereafter for heart health maintenance.

So, in short, the time-tested ingredients of Alistrol can…

Try Alistrol today and make this safe and most effective natural high blood pressure supplement part of your daily regime and live a life of happiness and longevity. The Power To Live Stronger! www.alistrol.com

When it comes to a person keeping their high blood pressure under control there are a number of different methods available. Some of the main steps a person can consider when it comes to high blood pressure control are covered in this article.
Firstly, following the treatment that their doctor prescribes for them is important. In many cases this means making changes to diet as well as quitting habits which increase the risk of high blood pressure.
It is estimated that as many as 50% of people who have been prescribed medication for high blood pressure do not follow the prescription as outlined.
The majority of cases of malignant hypertension (really high blood pressure) come about from people who misuse or do not follow prescriptions correctly. Malignant hypertension is very serious and requires immediate attention as it can be damaging to major organs and vital functions.
An excess amount of salt in the diet can make the condition worse. It was discovered that diets high in sodium/salt increase the risk of high blood pressure, as salt helps the body to retain water resulting in the heart having to work much harder than it should due to the increased level of fluid it has to pump around the body.
On average adults should only consume around about 2,400 mg of salt per day which averages out at about 1 teaspoon a day. Currently, it is estimated that most people in the US are consuming between 4,000 and 6,000 mg each day.
Lifestyle choices, including smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can impact blood pressure levels, and they should be reduced or be stopped altogether. Nicotine and the chemicals in cigarettes can cause serious damage to the arteries by clogging them with fat which results in yet more pressure being placed on your heart in order to push the blood through the arteries which have become constricted.
Alcohol contains high levels of refined sugars, which can unfortunately cause further complications and allow cholesterol to build up in the body.
If exercise could be bottled, it would be called a miracle drug. Even a small amount of regular exercise can lower blood pressure, and it can reduce appetite and help a person lose weight, another risk factor for high blood pressure.
If a person is overweight then the risk of elevated blood pressure increase. Generally, losing weight is a by-product of a blood pressure dietary treatment plan.
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If you want to take a natural approach to treating high blood pressure there are certain herbs and foods that have been shown in trials to be beneficial, including Garlic, Hawthorn and CoQ10. However, it is important to speak with your doctor to ensure there are no interactions with other medication you may be taking.
High blood pressure control comes from understanding the condition fully, and knowing what steps can be taken to lower blood pressure levels, and what has the potential of raising them, and then proceeding with common sense.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, one thing you probably dread is the use of strong medicine. Some even believe that this is their only option. There are, however, many types of alternative medicine for high blood pressure. Provided here are five types of alternative medicine techniques you can use to control your high blood pressure.

1. Lose Weight and Eat Healthy

One of the most effective types of alternative medicine for high blood pressure is to lose weight. A major cause of high blood pressure is obesity, so losing weight is a great way to lower your blood pressure. This isn’t the easiest thing in the world for a lot of people. It takes dedication and consistency, but it is your health and, overall, it is your life. Losing weight involves changing your diet and getting plenty of exercise and the best time to start is now!

2. Relieve Stress

Stress can cause a lot to go wrong with your body and high blood pressure is no exception. Another type of alternative medicine for high blood pressure is simply to learn how to relax. Learn some relaxation techniques such as:

> Meditation

> Yoga

> Massage

> Music

There are many more ways to relax and apart from lowering your blood pressure, it will also improve your quality of life.

3. Magnet Treatment

This can definitely be classified as an alternative medicine for high blood pressure. Not much is known behind why this works, but copper and iron bracelets can help reduce the effects of blood pressure. There are no side effects or any type of harm that can come of it, so it doesn’t hurt to try it out.

4. Chiropractic Treatment and Acupuncture

Another great alternative medicine for high blood pressure is visiting your chiropractor. Realigning the vertebrae in the spine can reestablish the body’s balance and help you function properly. Acupuncture can help release strain on your heart. Both treatments contribute to reducing stress, therefore dramatically reducing high blood pressure.

5. Herbs and Vitamins

I’m sure you’ve heard of using supplemental vitamins for health reasons and you may even take vitamins already. This is a great alternative medicine for high blood pressure. Not only can you take supplements, but you can also increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet. This will also contribute to eating healthier, which will help you lose weight. You are looking to increase three major elements in your diet

> Calcium

> Potassium

> Magnesium

All five types of alternative medicine for high blood pressure will give you options for treating your high blood pressure other than taking strong medicine. They may not be your cure, but they can work together to help improve your quality of life and lower your high blood pressure.

KJ King

http://www.FightingHighBloodPressure.com

© 2007

ACE inhibitors stop the production of a hormone called angiotensin II that makes the blood vessels narrow. As a result, the vessels expand, improving blood flow. Tension in the circulation is also lowered by the kidneys filtering more fluid from the blood vessels into urine. This also helps reduce blood pressure. If your blood pressure is not easily controlled on simple medication, your doctor will probably use a medicine of this type.

While most cases of high blood pressure arise from an unknown set of factors, in some cases a definite cause is clearly identified. In these cases, treatment will have two different goals. First, to control the high blood pressure. Second, to relieve, if possible, the underlying cause. Someone with high blood pressure because of an underlying hormone disorder, for example, would likely be controlled on blood pressure medications but would also be treated in an attempt to resolve the hormone imbalance at the root of the problem.

The most commonly used diuretic to treat high blood pressure in the UK is called bendroflumethiazide (bendrofluazide) - but there are others. For example, chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, cyclopenthiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, and indapamide. Diuretics work by increasing the amount of salt and fluid that you pass out in your urine. This has some effect on reducing the fluid in the circulation which reduces blood pressure. They may also have a ‘relaxing’ effect on the blood vessels which reduces the pressure within the blood vessels. Only a low dose of a diuretic is needed to treat high blood pressure. Therefore, you will not notice much diuretic effect (you will not pass much extra urine).

Even people who do not have hypertension know that diet plays a very important role in the cause or prevention of this health condition. And it is true. If your diet is high in fat and sodium, you have an increased risk of having high blood pressure. So you better avoid food that is high in salt, sugar and fat.

But before going on a diet, you should also put into consideration your age and weight. Not all types of diet programs can be applied to everyone. It is important that your diet should not only be healthy, but somehow it should also fit your tastes and lifestyle.

The preferred treatment of choice for those suffering high blood pressure is usually a change of lifestyle. For those who are overweight, smoke, lead highly stressful lives or seldom exercise, sometimes this is the only wake up call they need. Once they make the necessary lifestyle adjustments, they will often find their blood pressure symptom restored to a more normal range.

If you have high blood pressure, or have just been diagnosed with it, you may have concerns and questions about how it is going to be treated and how high blood pressure will affect you in your day-to-day life. You may also be worried about how high blood pressure will affect your future health.

Slightly raised blood pressure may not need to be treated so aggressively, but regular monitoring is important. If you have very severe high blood pressure, you may need to go to hospital for treatment. But it’s much more likely that you will be cared for by your GP and/or a nurse.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is elevated pressure of the blood in the arteries. Hypertension results from two major factors, which can be present independently or together:

• The heart pumps blood with excessive force

• The body’s smaller blood vessels (known as the arterioles) narrow, so that blood flow exerts more pressure against the vessels’ walls

High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. The arteries are the vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all of the tissues and organs of the body.

Symptoms

Migraine pain tends to intensify over the first 30 minutes to several hours, and may last from several hours to a day or longer. Afterward, the affected person is usually weary, and sensitive to sudden head movements.

Hypertension has aptly been called the “silent killer” because it usually produces no symptoms. Untreated hypertension increases slowly over the years. It is important for anyone with risk factors to have their blood pressure checked regularly and to make appropriate lifestyle changes. Such recommendations are especially important for individuals who have prehypertension or hypertension.

Migraine without aura may be preceded by elevations in mood or energy level for up to 24 hours before the attack. Other pre-migraine symptoms may include fatigue, depression, and excessive yawning.

Risk Factors

During the last decade, the number of Americans with high blood pressure has increased by 30 percent. Over 65 million American adults now have high blood pressure, and this condition affects close to 1 billion people worldwide. Less than half of these people are on medication, however, and only about half of this group has their blood pressure under good control with such drugs.

Age and Gender

Age is the major risk factor of hypertension. Blood pressure increases with age in both men and women, and in fact, the lifetime risk for hypertension is nearly 90%. Two-thirds of Americans over age 60 have hypertension. Older women (60 years and above) currently have the highest rates of hypertension, and mortality rates from hypertension are higher in women than in men.

Ethnicity

Compared to Caucasians, African Americans have 1.8 times the rate of fatal stroke, 1.5 times the risk for fatal heart disease, and 4.2 times the rates of end-stage kidney disease. In general, about 34% of African American men and women have hypertension; it may account for over 40% of all deaths in this group. The prevalence of high blood pressure among African Americans is among the highest in the world.

Causes

In 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown. In fact, you can have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. That’s why it’s the “silent killer” — it creeps up on you. Factors that may lead to high blood pressure in the remaining 5–10 percent of cases, which are known as secondary hypertension, include:

• Kidney abnormality

• A structural abnormality of the aorta (large blood vessel leaving the heart) existing since birth

• Narrowing of certain arteries

These problems can usually be corrected. For example, doctors can repair a narrowed artery that supplies blood to a kidney. Most of these problems can be ruled out by a careful history, a physical examination and a few tests.

Hypertension is referred to as essential (primary) when the doctor is unable to identify a specific cause. It is by far the most common type of high blood pressure. The causes of this type are unknown but are likely to be a complex combination of genetic, environmental, and other factors.