| High blood pressure, or hypertension indicates a | | | | use, family history of high blood pressure, high salt |
| reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Nearly one | | | | intake, and aging. |
| out of every three American adults has high blood | | | | Some people will actually show high readings |
| pressure. Once it develops, it all too often lasts a | | | | every time they're in a doctor's office whereas, if |
| lifetime. | | | | done at home, or they are in a relaxed frame of |
| High blood pressure is often referred to as the | | | | mind, the results will be normal. Even routine |
| silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. It | | | | activities, such as attending a meeting, commuting |
| is, therefore, very important to have a regular | | | | to work, and exposure to cold can bump up your |
| medical check-up. When it is not treated as soon | | | | blood pressure into the high zone |
| as it's discovered, it can cause the heart to | | | | A sedentary lifestyle, stress, low potassium |
| enlarge, which in turn may lead to heart failure. | | | | intake, low calcium intake, and resistance to insulin |
| The heart works harder, your arteries take a | | | | are factors that may cause your blood pressure |
| beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart | | | | to rise. Constant headaches, visual disturbances, |
| attack, and/or kidney problems increase | | | | nausea, and vomiting can be an indication of |
| considerably. | | | | hypertension and should be checked carefully. |
| Your pressure is at its highest when the heart | | | | Usually you will not feel any warning signs or |
| beats, pumping the blood. When the heart is at | | | | symptoms, though. That's why getting your blood |
| rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. | | | | pressure checked regularly is of utmost |
| When the level stays high consistently for more | | | | importance to your health. In most cases, a |
| than three checkups, you are likely to have | | | | doctor may not be able to pinpoint the exact |
| hypertension. | | | | cause. |
| Many factors are involved in elevating your blood | | | | Lifestyle issues that are in your control to lower |
| pressure. It is, therefore, highly recommended not | | | | your risk of developing hypertension include |
| to use caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco products at | | | | obesity, inactivity, lack of regular exercise, alcohol |
| least thirty minutes before your medical. As well, | | | | consumption of three drinks a day or more, a |
| go to the bathroom and rest for three to five | | | | diet of salty or processed foods, and a lack of |
| minutes before the procedure. | | | | calcium, magnesium, and potassium. |
| Most doctors will check your blood pressure | | | | Risk factors you can't control include a family |
| several times on different days to ensure that, in | | | | history of high blood pressure, your race (being |
| fact you do have hypertension. Once you know | | | | African-American increases your risk), and aging. |
| you have the condition, you will need to check the | | | | A few simple adjustments in your habits can help |
| pressure regularly and keep in touch with your | | | | keep your blood pressure in the normal zone, or |
| family doctor. Talk to your doctor about what is | | | | even bring a slightly high reading back to normal. |
| considered high blood pressure for you. | | | | Eating less salt, losing a few pounds, drinking less, |
| What is high for the majority of people may or | | | | and reducing your intake of processed foods can |
| may not be so for you. As there are many | | | | make a difference in your overall health. Find out |
| causes that may show high readings, ranging | | | | all you can take control over. Here's to your |
| from nervousness, tension, obesity, heavy alcohol | | | | health! |