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High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the body’s arteries. It’s also called hypertension. This condition forces the blood to push against the artery walls with too much pressure. The heart has to work harder to pump blood.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, mild hypertension, in middle aged or younger adults is a blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm Hg or higher. It’s important to note that older people naturally have slightly higher blood pressure, and readings that are high for younger people may not always be so for those older, within limits of course.
In 2017, The American College of Cardiology and ten other health organizations updated their blood pressure health standards. Whereas the recommended threshold used to be 150/80 mm Hg for those ages 65 and older, the new guideline decreases the healthy range to 130/80.
Natural changes to the body contribute to increased blood pressure. The main culprit is the vascular system’s health, with the arteries narrowing and losing elasticity over time. The arteries become less tractable and increase the applied pressure as the heart beats and rests between pumps.
Untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems. In the event of thrombosis, or blood clots forming in the legs or other areas, a D-dimer blood test is recommended.
An important aspect of blood pressure spread between the high and low readings. The spread should be at least 40 points or more.
HIGH Blood Pressure Symptoms – Stressed, Sedentary, Bloated, Weak, Failing
Blood pressure higher than 180/120 mm Hg is considered a hypertensive emergency or crisis.
Seek emergency medical help for anyone with these blood pressure numbers.
It’s important to have your blood pressure checked at least every two years starting at age 18. Some people need more-frequent checks.
Healthy lifestyle habits —such as not smoking, exercising and eating well — can help prevent and treat high blood pressure. Some people need medicine to treat high blood pressure.
Essential Hypertension
In 95% of cases the causes are indeterminate, and are called “essential hypertension.”
Though essential hypertension remains somewhat mysterious, it has been linked to certain risk factors. High blood pressure tends to run in families and is more likely to affect men than women. Age and race also play a role. In the United States, blacks are twice as likely as whites to have high blood pressure, although the gap begins to narrow around age 44. After age 65, black women have the highest incidence of high blood pressure.
Essential hypertension is also greatly influenced by diet and lifestyle. The link between salt and high blood pressure is especially compelling. People living on the northern islands of Japan eat more salt per capita than anyone else in the world and have the highest incidence of essential hypertension.
Most people with high blood pressure are “salt sensitive,” meaning that anything more than the minimal bodily need for salt increases their blood pressure. Other factors that can raise the risk of essential hypertension include obesity, diabetes, stress, insufficient intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, lack of physical activity, and chronic alcohol consumption.
Secondary Hypertension
When a direct cause for high blood pressure can be identified, the condition is described as secondary hypertension. Among the known causes of secondary hypertension, kidney disease ranks highest. Hypertension can also be triggered by tumors or other abnormalities that cause the adrenal glands (small glands that sit atop the kidneys) to secrete excess amounts of the hormones that elevate blood pressure. Birth control pills — specifically those containing estrogen — and pregnancy can boost blood pressure, as can medications that constrict blood vessels.
Metabolic syndrome and obesity are primary considerations.
Modern drugs suppress hypertension but do not usually cure. Natural remedies take time and require diligent participation by the patient. Constant monitoring of blood pressure is required, as is full commitment to diet and medicines. Several days are needed for the program to work. Changes are generally observed daily. Once normal blood pressure is observed, continued therapy is required, perhaps for one or two months, with long-term dietary and lifestyle changes required.
The patient must be patient. Impact exercise is key.
Remember: The body only heals during deep sleep and rest. The patient must rest, and get impact exercise too.
