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