Understanding High Blood Pressure

A stunning number of people in the U.S. cope with high blood pressure; over 74 million have it. The condition is currently the number one cause of strokes and a leading contributor to heart attacks. Also known as hypertension, most people don't even realize they have it until they visit their doctor for a normal checkup. Below, we'll explore how your arteries work, who is at risk of developing high blood pressure, and the difference between essential and secondary hypertension.




Your Arteries




Blood moves through your arteries on its way to various parts of your body. Under normal circumstances, the pressure within your arteries is fine. However, there are times when the pressure builds and the blood pushes against the arterial walls. When that happens, especially over prolonged periods, the health of the artery can be damaged. Eventually, the damage can lead to heart disease.




Who Is At Risk?




Some people are more susceptible to developing hypertension than others. The reasons can range from genetics to dietary habits. If someone in your family has the condition, or has heart disease, you should see your doctor. If you're severely overweight, an habitual heavy drinker or smoker, or consume foods with a high saturated fat content, you're at risk. Also, black people and those over the age of 55 are also at risk.




Essential Vs. Secondary Hypertension




The true cause of the condition is still unknown. Over 90% of cases are referred to as "essential hypertension." That basically implies that the root causes are familial, gender or race-related, or due to age. Other factors include diet and level of activity.




By contrast, "secondary hypertension" is a term reserved for those cases where a definite root cause has been identified. For example, kidney disease is one of the most common contributing factors to this variety. Also, researchers have found that some physical issues can cause the adrenal glands to secrete hormones which can exacerbate the condition.




How To Control It




Once you have high blood pressure, you'll always have it. The only path left to you is to learn to control it. Most doctors strongly recommend that you limit your salt intake. They also suggest that you modify your diet to include more vegetables, fruits, and foods with a high fiber content. Finally, get some form of exercise each day. Living a sedentary lifestyle can cause hypertension to worsen.




Most importantly, schedule regular checkups with your doctor. The warning signs that are related to the condition are silent. They can lead to life-threatening circumstances before you even realize there's a medical issue.

In Virginia finding the right doctor for atrial fibrillation or aortic aneurysm is crucial.

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how to lower high blood pressure: lower my blood pressure

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7 Tips On Controlling High Blood Pressure

If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure it may not seem like a big deal. After all, it's just a number on a scale. And hypertension (another word for high blood pressure) in and of itself certainly sounds harmless enough. But in reality, it's the potential problems that this condition can lead to that should have you concerned.




Hypertension can potentially lead to heart disease, stroke, dementia, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, even blindness. So controlling high blood pressure is well worth your efforts.




With that in mind, here are 7 quick tips on controlling high blood pressure:




1. Reduce Your Weight. You already knew this. Either your doctor told you or you knew it instinctively. The heavier you are, the greater your risk of high blood pressure. You don't have to lose 100 pounds overnight to see the benefits. Just cut out a couple hundred calories a day. That's all it takes. And while a diet high in fat doesn't directly affect blood pressure, saturated fats and cholesterol in foods do raise blood cholesterol, which will increase your risk for heart disease.




2. Reduce Your Stress. While recent research has begun to question whether there's a long-term correlation between stress and hypertension, there are enough indicators that reducing the stress in your life is probably worthwhile.




3. Kick Your Smoking Habit. Yep, smoking not only plays havoc with your lungs, it play havoc with your blood vessel walls and arteries. Even though smoking may not directly contribute to your high blood pressure, in the long run, quitting will eliminate another contributing factor.




4. Kick The Caffeine Habit. There's a strange paradox with caffeine consumption. On one hand, studies have indicated that regular caffeine consumption leads to higher blood pressure. On the other hand, some studies have also indicated that people can develop a tolerance for caffeine to the point where it no longer impacts their blood pressure. Generally, though, your physician will suggest you limit your caffeine.




5. Eat Those Potassium Foods. Potassium is a mineral that works in concert with sodium to help regulate blood pressure. Cantaloupe, bananas, watermelon, oranges, potatoes, spinach, and zucchini are all rich in potassium. The only precaution here is that if you're already taking medication for your high blood pressure, then you need to consult with your doctor before you turn to salt substitutes with high levels of potassium.




6. Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption. Excessive alcohol consumption is hard on your liver and kidneys and can raise your blood pressure. Studies have shown that restricting your alcohol intake can drop your blood pressure by as much 5 to 10 mm Hg, a significant reduction. Women are advised to keep their daily consumption to a 12-ounce beer or a 5-ounce glass of wine. Men can double these recommendations.




7. Increase Your Exercise. This is as much about keeping your heart healthy and keeping your weight down as it is about lowering your blood pressure. Check with your physician before your start on a regular exercise routine. And no, you don't have to sweat for an hour everyday to make it worthwhile. Even moderate activity benefits your heart. Thirty minutes of brisk walking, three or four times a week is plenty to help you drop weight and strengthen your heart.




Controlling high blood pressure doesn't have to mean you can never enjoy your life again. Just by taking baby steps, you can make dramatic improvements in your overall health, your heart health, and yes, even your blood pressure health.

To discover more about controlling high blood pressure, and about other great foods for controlling your high blood pressure, visit: Foods For High Blood Pressure.

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