April 2003

Blood Pressure

   Blood pressure is determined by the detection of pressure exerted against the walls of a blood vessel. There are two components of a blood pressure reading. The first is the systolic or top number recorded in a blood pressure reading. This number represents the amount of pressure exerted against the vessel wall during maximum force. The systole is the normal rhythmic contraction of the heart. The systolic pressure is derived from the force used to drive out blood from heart chambers. The diastolic or lower number in a blood pressure reading represents the least force or pressure being exerted against vessel walls with cardiac function. The diastole is the normal rhythmic dilatation of the heart, during which the heart muscle relaxes for the chambers to refill with blood.

    The American heart association classifies high blood pressure (hypertension) as one in excess of 140/90.

   The most alarming high readings would be those which show both an excessive systolic and diastolic reading. Many times persons with chronic hypertension under treatment will normally have readings that exceed the 150/90 norm. The personal physician prescribes the type and amount of anti-hypertensive medication in order to keep each patient at his optimum therapeutic level. Some heart conditions do not render “normal” readings. Of greater concern is a high diastolic reading because this indicates that there is too much pressure even with relaxation of cardiac muscles. Any persistent high reading should be evaluated by a physician for treatment need.

WHAT AFFECTS BLOOD PRESSURE?

  • Body weight
  • Blood vessel obstruction as with high cholesterol
  • Emotional stress
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Exercise

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO NATURALLY LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE?

  1. CONTROL BODY WEIGHT-LOSE IF YOUR WEIGHT IS EXCESSIVE
  2. CONSUME LESS CHOLESTEROL
  3. CONSUME LESS SALT-USE A NON-IODIZED SALT SUCH AS SEA SALT

  4. CONTROL ANGER, WORRY AND EXTREME MOOD SWINGS
  5. LEARN TO RELAX
  6. BEGIN A REGULAR PROGRAM OF EXERCISE-AT LEAST 4 TIMES A WEEK
  7. STOP SMOKING
  8. STOP CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL
  9. EAT A DIET INCLUSIVE OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

COMPLICATIONS OF PROLONGED HYPERTENSION

  1. WEAKENED HEART MUSCLES RESULTING IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
  2. STROKE
  3. HEART ATTACK
  4. ANEURYSM-LOCAL ENLARGEMENT OF VESSEL WALL, CAN RUPTURE
  5. KIDNEY FAILURE

Health Tips Archives