What Should You Know If You Have High Blood Pressure?

If you are battling high blood pressure there are some things you will want to
know. First thing you want to understand is what the numbers mean. Your blood
pressure will read with a top and bottom number. The top is your systolic
pressure and the bottom number is your diastolic pressure.

Normal blood pressure is 120/80 so if your blood pressure reads 130/90 you are
at risk for developing high blood pressure. This reading is called
prehypertension which is basically a stage before developing high blood
pressure.

By having your blood pressure checked and monitored often you can easily lower
it where it needs to be. The best way to do this is by maintaining or adopting
a healthier lifestyle. Have you always had normal blood pressure until recently?

If this is the case, consider what you have recently started doing different
that may have caused it to rise. Did you change your diet? Have you been
exercising less? Maybe you are on a medication; some medications can cause your
blood pressure to rise.

If you do have high blood pressure you can easily monitor it at home if you
choose. If you do this you still want to keep your regular doctor visits. You
can share your own results and you can both see what is and isn't working for
you.

If you are on other medications consult your doctor. Chances are one of these
could be raising your blood pressure and you want to take control as soon as
possible. If your blood pressure gets too high without proper treatment you are
at more risk of having a stroke or heart and kidney diseases.

If you have recently changed your diet you should talk to your doctor,
especially if your blood pressure has risen since then. Lots of salt and sodium
can cause high blood pressure and not enough fresh fruits and vegetables. If
this is the case, try to limit your salt intake and get more vegetables in your
diet.

Also physical inactivity can be a cause for high blood pressure. Have you
recently stopped doing regular every day physical activity? If so, consider
starting again. You might have stopped because of an inevitable reason; broken
bone, etc. If this is the case talk with your physician. Together you can find
a way to still get a little bit of physical activity in your daily routine.

You also want to cut off or limit your use of tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Many people do not realize these cause high blood pressure. There are many over
the counter medicines and even doctor prescribed medicines to help you quit
smoking. There are also many different resources to help you quit drinking.

If your doctor prescribes blood pressure medicine for you, you want to be sure
and remember to take it. Some people are bad at remembering to take medication.
There are many different ways you can help yourself remember.

You take the risk of a stroke or heart disease by not taking your blood
pressure medication. This should be reason enough to take your medicine, but
sometimes people just forget. While it sounds like reason enough, if you are
not used to taking daily medication it is rather easy to forget.

If you have certain questions or concerns talk with your doctor. They will
gladly answer any questions you have and do their best to get your blood
pressure at a normal rate again.

Blood Pressure Control = Health Control

Do you realize by taking control of your blood pressure you can also take
control of your health? Who doesn't want to have a healthy and long life?
Taking care of your body can help ensure you get to endure that long healthy
lifestyle you want.

You should be receiving regular blood pressure checks at your regular doctor
visits. If you want to check it more often than you go to the doctor, you can
purchase a home device that lets you monitor your blood pressure. There are
different kinds to choose from.

Two of those are the aneroid and digital monitor. There are ups and downs to
both monitors so you want to choose which one is best for you. The aneroid
monitor uses a pointer to let you read your blood pressure. The digital monitor
displays your reading on a screen which makes it easier to read.

The aneroid monitor is cheaper than the digital but requires more work from
you. Check them out and even discuss with your doctor which one might be better
for you. Once you purchase it, have your doctor show you how to effectively use
it.

Among taking your own blood pressure readings, you can double check your
lifestyle habits. Are you on a healthy diet? Eating healthy will help keep your
blood pressure low and normal. Cut back on salt and sodium if you can't get rid
of it altogether. Opt for seasonings instead.

Introduce more vegetables and fresh fruits into your diet. Once you become used
to eating certain foods, it will be easier to do it every day. Before you know
it you will be in the habit of eating healthy foods and won't think twice
before doing so.

If you use tobacco or drink excessive amounts of alcohol try to cut back or
refrain completely. These will raise your blood pressure putting you at more
risk for a stroke or heart disease.

If you cannot quit these on your own there are plenty of resources and
medications to help you. Talk with your doctor about the best way to go about
quitting.

Would you consider yourself at a healthy weight or overweight? Overweight
people are more prone to developing high blood pressure and if this is your
case, try to lose at least ten pounds. You should see results in your blood
pressure as well as the way you feel.

If you are not already regularly physically active, try to do at least thirty
minutes of physical activity or exercise every day. This will help lower your
blood pressure as well as make you feel a whole lot better.

If you find yourself lacking motivation to do some of these things, talk with a
friend or relative that could buddy up with you. Having someone to exercise with
or take on a challenge such as quitting smoking or drinking can help drastically.

Having high blood pressure puts your health at risk and that alone should be
motivation but to some it isn't. Do not be discouraged, there are many ways to
help lower your blood pressure.

If these lifestyle changes do not help, consider medication. There are many
different kinds of blood pressure medications and sometimes they need to be
combined with a healthy lifestyle to work more effectively.

If you have questions or concerns about your blood pressure talk with your
doctor. Let them know what you want and they can help find the way that is best
for you to control or maintain your blood pressure letting you control your
health as well.

Lowering Your Blood Pressure

Do you have high blood pressure? Maybe you want to prevent getting high blood
pressure, no matter what the case is, there are everyday things you can do.
What you eat, how much you exercise, even your habits can effect your blood
pressure.

If you see your doctor regularly you more than likely have your blood pressure
checked every time. This is a necessary procedure to monitor your pressure and
be sure you don't have high blood pressure. There are different reasons one has
high blood pressure and different things you can do to help lower it.

If you have high blood pressure it damages your blood vessels increasing your
risk for stroke or heart and kidney diseases. In other words, having high blood
pressure is very harmful to your health and you want to treat it right away.

Making lifestyle changes is the first way to go when you want to lower your
blood pressure. If doing these simple changes does not help and you have to use
medication, continue doing the changes along with the medication. The lifestyle
changes alone may just not be enough and added with medication could help
significantly.

If you use any tobacco of any kind, stop your use or decrease it significantly.
Nicotine makes your blood vessels constrict resulting in a faster heart beat.
This faster heart beat raises your blood pressure. You can easily find products
that help quit smoking or help quit the use of other tobacco products.

If you are overweight you are at a high risk of high blood pressure. Start a
diet program and start eating healthier. Exercising regularly is very
beneficial to lowering your blood pressure. Plan an exercise routine and track
your progress. This will show you what is working and what is not.

Eat plenty of fruit and veggies and try a low fat diet. Try to stay clear of
sodium, alcohol and caffeine or at least limit your intake. Sodium isn't
harmful to everyone's blood pressure but until you know for sure, it is better
to take precaution.

Alcohol can cause high blood pressure in some people as well. Try to only drink
one or two alcoholic beverages a day. If you know this is increasing your blood
pressure, try to quit altogether. Your health might be at risk.

Stress can sometimes affect your blood pressure. Stress is very common and
there are millions of ways to help reduce stress. Try some relaxing techniques
first and if none of these work talk to your doctor. They may have some better
suggestions.

If all else fails you may have to turn to medication. There are many types of
medicine to help you lower your blood pressure. You may end up taking this
medicine for the rest of your life but if it helps keep you healthy, it is
worth it.

If you are still unsure of how to handle your blood pressure talking with your
doctor is the best solution. Tell them of your concerns or ask them any
questions you might have. No question is stupid when it comes to your health.
You could even do some research online and find out many things about blood
pressure. You are not the only one curious about taking care of your health.
Take the necessary steps to live a long healthy life.

Benefits of Early Blood Pressure Monitoring

Did you know that your blood pressure increases as you age? By taking control
of your blood pressure at an early age you can have the benefit of a longer
healthy life. In this article you will find ways to monitor your blood pressure
and the benefits that come with it.

If you are unable to have regular check ups at your doctor's office, you can
purchase a blood pressure monitoring device. If you have a history of having
high blood pressure a monitor is a great way to keep an eye on it.

Since blood pressure increases with age it is best to start monitoring it as
early as possible. Many young people do not worry about things like this, but
if your family history involves high blood pressure, it is best to start now.

The first thing when monitoring your blood pressure is to know what makes it
increase. The following are just a few things that can cause it to increase.

Smoking and Alcohol

Tobacco use and alcohol can drastically increase your blood pressure. The best
way to prevent this is to sustain from using tobacco or drinking alcohol. If
you do not desire to do this, you can try limiting your use of tobacco and
alcohol consumption. If you have tried quitting either before there are many
available resources to help aid you in completely quitting.

Overweight

Being overweight will also drastically increase your blood pressure. If you can
try to lose at least ten pounds this will help significantly.

Physical Inactivity

Do you exercise regularly? If not, you might want to start doing so. Exercise
can help lower your blood pressure. Try doing at least thirty minutes of
physical activity every day. If you cannot set aside thirty minutes at one
time, try doing ten minutes at a time. As long as you get thirty minutes a day
you will see results.

Stress

Yes, stress can raise your blood pressure. If you find yourself stressed every
day, consider doing something to help you relax and de-stress. Meditation or a
similar relaxation technique will do wonders with dealing with stress.

Your Diet

If you have an unhealthy diet, this could be the cause of your blood pressure
increase. Try to limit your salt intake and introduce more fresh fruits and
vegetables in your diet. Read nutrition labels and try to eat less fat, etc.

Sleeping Disorders

Sleeping disorders can raise your blood pressure because your breathing is
interrupted while you're sleeping. You can fix this by talking with your doctor
about medication to help you sleep. There are many available medicines that have
proven to be effective in helping sleeping disorders.

Over-the-counter drugs, substances and supplements

Some over the counter medicines and other supplements can trigger high blood
pressure. Specifically antidepressants, cold medicines, oral contraceptives and
nasal decongestants. If you are worried about a certain medication you are
currently taking, consult your doctor. Ask any and all questions you may have
concerning your blood pressure.

By watching all this you can stay away from the risks of high blood pressure
including stroke and heart or kidney disease. It is never too late to start
taking care of your health.

High Blood Pressure 101

Knowing about your body can be very beneficial to your health as you age.
Knowing about your blood pressure can help prevent strokes, heart disease and
kidney disease. In this article you will find everything you should know about
your blood pressure.

Anyone can have high blood pressure. It doesn't matter your age, race,
ethnicity or gender. Many people suffer from high blood pressure and have a
higher risk of strokes and heart diseases than those with regular blood
pressure.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries.
Your blood pressure is always rising and falling throughout the day and if it
rises and stays that way over time, you have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is usually referred to as hypertension. When you have high
blood pressure it puts more pressure on the heart, making it work harder than
usual. This is why you end up at risk for strokes or heart disease.

What is the normal blood pressure level?

The normal blood pressure level is less than 120 over 80 or less. The first
number is your systolic pressure and the second number is your diastolic
pressure. Your numbers are read 120 over 80, etc. If your pressure is 140 over
90 or higher you have high blood pressure.

What is systolic blood pressure? This is the force of blood in your arteries
when your heart is beating.

What is diastolic blood pressure? This is the force of blood in your arteries
when your heart is relaxing.

What are the risk factors of high blood pressure?

The most common risks of high blood pressure are stroke and heart disease.
There are a few other risk factors that can be modified and some that cannot
be. The following are some risks:

* Tobacco * Physical Inactivity * Diabetes * Abnormal Cholesterol * Being
overweight

Who can get high blood pressure?

Unfortunately anyone can get high blood pressure but it is more common among
African Americans. Nearly one in three American adults has high blood pressure.
African Americans also have a much higher death rate from kidney disease and
stroke than white Americans. Even so, with treatment you can help lower your
blood pressure.

How can I lower my blood pressure?

Fortunately there are many different ways of helping to lower your blood
pressure. Exercise is a great way to lower it. Doing physical activity will
make your heart stronger over time. If you have a stronger heart it can pump
blood easier lessening your risks of stroke and kidney diseases. It is never
too late to start exercising!

If you are concerned about your blood pressure consult your physician. Ask any
and all questions you might have and find the best way for you to lower it. If
all regular ways fail, consider medication. Talk with your doctor about your
health and lifestyle so he can choose the best medicine for you. If you want to
live a healthy life, taking control of your blood pressure is very important.

Taking Control of Your Blood Pressure

Do you have problems controlling your blood pressure? Is it like a roller
coaster ride? You do not have to worry any more. In this article you will find
out how to take control of your blood pressure and have the healthy lifestyle
you want.

As you may know there are many things that can cause your blood pressure to
increase and many ways to decrease it and keep it that way. Your lifestyle will
play a major role in this and even your race, age and family history.

You cannot change your race or age or history but you can still gain control of
your blood pressure. African Americans are more prone to developing high blood
pressure as well as people over fifty-five. You definitely cannot make yourself
younger or change your color but that doesn't mean you cannot control your
pressure.

Having a healthy diet will have a major effect on your blood pressure. If you
like eating salty foods this might be hard for you, but well worth it. Having
high blood pressure can lead to heart and kidney disease as well as a stroke.

Try cutting back on any salt and sodium in your diet. Your doctor will probably
recommend a certain serving amount or intake amount of sodium for your diet.
Also try to eat more vegetables and fresh fruit. These will make you feel a lot
better along with decreasing your blood pressure.

Are you very active physical wise? Physical inactivity can play a huge role in
high blood pressure. If you do not exercise regularly try to get in the habit.
Thirty minutes a day is recommended but you can space the time out if needed.
Do ten minutes here and there and before you know it, you've done thirty
minutes of physical activity.

Do you smoke or drink? These will raise your blood pressure as well. Quitting
either of these habits can be tough, but there are many helpful resources out
there to help you. If you know you cannot quit right away, try limiting your
consumption and use. Set a certain amount to smoke and drink a day.

Slowly lower the amount and before you know it you will be ready to quit. Try
doing this along with medication or something that helps you quit. Doing small
things like not being around anyone that smokes or drinks can help immensely.
Also try replacing these habits with something else. If you get the urge to
smoke or drink start doing something else you enjoy.

Do you have a stressful job or just a stressful lifestyle in general? Stress
can increase your blood pressure. You want to find a way to de-stress and
relax. Is there a certain hobby that does this for you? You might also try some
relaxation techniques such as meditating, etc. Do this as often as you need to
to help keep the stress away.

If you are still concerned about your blood pressure talk with your doctor. By
telling them any concerns and asking any questions you might have, they can
better help you find the best way to control your blood pressure. Sometimes
medication works better than anything else.

How Does Exercise Help Your Blood Pressure?

Do you want to take control of your blood pressure? If so, exercise may be the
key for you to do just that. Many people may not realize exercise can help you
control your blood pressure. Fortunately, it is all rather simple.

As you probably know, you are more prone to high blood pressure as you age.
Unfortunately, we all age and this cannot be helped. But controlling your blood
pressure can be helped.

By exercising you can prevent risks of high blood pressure which can cause
stroke and kidney disease. If you already have high blood pressure, exercising
can help you get it under control.

As you exercise your heart gets stronger. When your heart is stronger it can
pump more blood more easily causing less pressure on your arteries. While
exercise may not work for everyone you can easily lower your blood pressure by
around ten millimeters.

Even if you do not have high blood pressure, you can take these precautions to
prevent from getting it. Along with controlling your blood pressure you can
lose weight or maintain your desired weight which also affects your blood
pressure.

Overweight people are prone to having high blood pressure and an increased risk
of stroke or kidney or heart diseases. If this is you, get moving and start
exercising! This doesn't mean you have to overdo yourself, take it slow at
first and work your way up. You will start feeling better as you continue a
regular routine.

It is suggested to do at least thirty minutes of exercise a day if possible.
Thirty minutes can be hard to do for some people, mainly because they can't
find the time. If this is the case, you can do short bursts of exercise. You
could exercise for ten minutes at a time throughout the day. At the end of the
day you've done thirty minutes.

Like with starting any exercise routine, you will want to talk with your doctor
first. There are certain things you will have to have your doctor's okay for. If
you are a man over forty or a woman over fifty it might be better to talk with
your doctor first.

Smoking increases blood pressure as well as makes it hard for some people to
exercise. Being overweight has an effect on everything and you definitely want
to consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Having a chronic health condition or high cholesterol and even high blood
pressure can put you at risk when exercising. Be sure to talk to your doctor
first. If you do not visit the doctor regularly, do so now. It is better to
know exactly what health you are in before doing any strenuous activity or even
exercising.

Always warm up before starting an exercise routine. Begin slowly so you can
slowly build the intensity. Be sure to continuously breathe throughout your
routine. Holding your breath can cause your blood pressure to increase and the
key of exercising to help control or lower your blood pressure.

If you experience any discomforts or pain while exercising notify your doctor
immediately. It is better to take full precaution even if it ends up being
something little. Once you start your exercise program, you want to track your
progress.

A great way to do this is if you can't see your doctor regularly; purchase a
home blood pressure monitoring device. You want to check your pressure before
you begin and when you are finished. You want to make sure it's working and how
much it's working.

By exercising you are lowering your chances of getting high blood pressure and
if you already have it, you are helping to control it. This means you are
lessening your risks of strokes or heart diseases. It is never too late to
start, no matter your age, gender, or ethnicity. Talk with your doctor today
about an exercise program that is right for you. Your body will thank you in
the end.

Blood Pressure Medications -- Remembering To Take Them

Are you currently taking medicine for your blood pressure? Do you take other
medication as well? Remembering to take any medicine can be a hassle to some
people especially if you have to take more than one at a time. Here are a few
things that might help you remember because it is very important you do not
forget to take your blood pressure medication.

Some people purchase little pill boxes that help you organize your pills. You
can purchase pill boxes that have one for every day of the week. You put all
the pills you need to take into each box for each day. You can purchase these
almost anywhere and they do come in handy for those that are forgetful.

If you take medicine regularly you might try keeping it on your bathroom sink.
When you finish getting ready or even just brushing your teeth, you can take
your medicine. Have your blood pressure medicine and any other medication that
you have to take right there. This is a great easy reminder.

Get into a routine. Taking your blood pressure pills at the same time every day
will eventually get you in the habit and you won't forget. If you have to take
your medicine with food you could always take them every day with your lunch.
Getting in the habit of this is a great way to never forget your blood pressure
pills again.

There are many people that put notes everywhere to remind them to do something.
Taking your blood pressure medicine is no different. Put up a note on your
fridge or on your computer at work. Every other day or every week change the
color of the note and place it in a different spot; on the phone, the mirror,
the fridge, wherever you will see it.

A really great way to remember to take your blood pressure medicine is to make
your own little personal chart. Try to use different color pens or pencils if
you have different medications to take. This is a very neat and organized way
to keep track and to help you remember.

If none of these would work for you, try having a friend or relative give you a
quick call during the day to remind you. While this might sound effective it may
not work as well for some. If you take your blood pressure medicine while you
are on the phone with them it can be very helpful. If they just call to tell
you and then you hang up, you might forget in that time.

If you have a computer and are savvy enough you could set up a reminder. You
can also find free services that will do this for you and send you a reminder
email. Have it tell you to take your blood pressure and have it repeat until
you have taken it and then delete it. Make it do this daily and you will
remember to take your blood pressure medicine.

You can easily come up with your own creative ways of remembering to take your
blood pressure medication. Try a few different ways and see what works best for
you. Once you get into a routine of taking it you shouldn't have a problem
remembering to take it.

Your Child's Blood Pressure

You may not realize that your child can develop high blood pressure. While it
may not always be the case, it isn't uncommon by any means. You can take
control of your child's blood pressure while they are young and help them live
a healthier life.

Obesity is the main cause for children to have high blood pressure. Researchers
say that obesity is increasing every year in children. This might be due to
video games and other activities that require no physical activity. You can
easily prevent this luckily.

Start by getting your child active. You can exercise with them everyday for
thirty minutes. Take a walk, ride your bikes, go swimming. Whatever physical
activity you choose will benefit you both.

By involving your child in physical activities at a young age, you are
increasing their chance of staying active as they get older. Limit their video
game time, etc. You don't want to banish all 'fun' things but they should know
that sports, etc, can be fun as well.

Also watching your child's diet and eating habits can be beneficial in
controlling their blood pressure as well as your own. By starting a diet for
the entire family, your child will not feel 'cornered' or 'picked-on'. The
entire family will be doing it so it will not be just for them.

When starting a new diet for controlling your blood pressure there are many
things you will want to do.

* Limit your sodium and salt intake. Substitute salt for other seasonings.

* Introduce more fresh fruits and vegetables. By early introduction of fruits
and vegetables in your child's diet, you can ensure they will continue to eat
these as they age.

* Monitor Fiber Intake -- For children one to three they should have 19 grams of
fiber a day. For children four to eight they should have 25 grams of fiber
daily. For female children nine to thirteen they should have 26 grams of fiber
and for males 31 grams. For females fourteen to eighteen they should have 29
grams and for males 38 grams of fiber.

* You as an adult also want to consume 14 grams of fiber per thousand calories
consumed. You can easily read the nutrition labels to make sure you are getting
the recommended amount.

You also want to watch the amount of fat intake. This of course will cause
obesity along with physical inactivity. Which both of these will raise blood
pressure. Try to have balanced healthy meals and send your child to school with
a balanced lunch. You can find things they will like that has the appropriate
nutrition.

Children should have the opportunity to be children and eat some junk food as
well. Choose a day or time that your child can eat something like this. After
all, this is probably the only time they'll be able to enjoy eating something
like that. Let them be a kid but also have a healthier lifestyle. You will both
be thankful and grateful further down the road.

Why Do We Develop High Blood Pressure?

You might wonder why you and everyone else develop high blood pressure. While
you might develop it you can easily lower or control it. The best way to
prevent developing it is to keep a close eye on it from the beginning.

Older adults may be more prone to developing high blood pressure but if you
start at a young age you can prevent it easier. There are a few things you want
to watch for that cause high blood pressure. This is why we develop high blood
pressure because we are not aware of what is causing it.

Weight plays a major role in developing high blood pressure. Overweight people
are more likely to develop high blood pressure but do not be discouraged.
Losing as little as ten pounds can help your blood pressure significantly.

Once you lose a measly ten pounds just imagine how much easier it will be to
lose even more. A great way to keep losing and maintain a healthy weight is by
a healthy diet. Your diet factors in to developing high blood pressure as well.

High amounts of salt and sodium intake can cause high blood pressure. Try to
limit your meals on salt and opt for other seasonings instead. There is a wide
variety of seasonings available so you are sure to find something you really
like.

Also try to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet. Eating more
of these will help your blood pressure not to mention you will feel healthier as
well.

Do you use tobacco or drink large amounts of alcohol? If so, this could be why
you have developed high blood pressure. Both of these can raise your blood
pressure so if possible try to quit or at least cut back on your use and
consumption. This will significantly help lower or maintain a normal level of
blood pressure.

African Americans are more prone to develop high blood pressure. It starts at
an early age and can be more severe. African Americans also have a higher death
rate from kidney disease and stroke than white Americans. Even so, you can still
treat high blood pressure effectively.

Do you exercise regularly? If not you might be at risk for developing high
blood pressure than those that do regular exercise. Luckily you can easily fix
this by doing physical activity for at least thirty minutes a day. You might
say, "I don't have thirty minutes a day to set aside." While you may not have
thirty minutes all at once to set aside, you could probably find it easier to
set aside ten minutes at a time.

If you find yourself stressed very easily over anything and everything you
could easily develop high blood pressure. Yes, stress is a factor of high blood
pressure. Stress is very common for many people but easily treatable. Is there
something you enjoy doing that relaxes you?

Consider picking up a hobby that you find relaxing and lets you de-stress. Do
this whenever you feel stressed to the max and do it often. Keeping your stress
level low will help keep your blood pressure low as well.

Last but not least, certain medications can cause you to develop high blood
pressure. Are you on medications? You might consider talking with your doctor
about their side effects and if they cause high blood pressure. Every time you
start a new medication you want to ask your doctor about this.

It is never too late to take better care of your health so consider starting
today. Keeping control of your blood pressure will help lower your risk of a
stroke or heart and kidney disease. Talk with your doctor about any concerns or
ask any questions you might have.

Tips for Controlling Your Blood Pressure

Do you have high blood pressure or at risk to develop high blood pressure? If
so do not be discouraged, there are ways of controlling and lowering your blood
pressure without medication. Simple lifestyle habits are the most common causes
for high blood pressure and easily helped.

Keep in mind that sometimes everything you try may not work. You might have to
have the help of medication along with your healthier lifestyle. Talk with your
doctor first. They will be able to assist you with the best option for your
lifestyle.

The first thing you can do is achieve a healthy weight if you aren't already.
Being overweight is a great risk for developing high blood pressure. You can
avoid this by watching your diet and reaching your healthy weight.

If you are unsure of what your healthy weight should be, you should talk to
your doctor. You can even find a site online that lets you calculate your BMI
(body mass index) and this will tell you what your healthy weight is.

Exercising should be a normal part of your lifestyle. Not everyone enjoys
exercising and even if you are one of those people, you can still add it to
your every day routine. Only thirty minutes a day of exercise will greatly
decrease your risk of high blood pressure.

If you cannot set aside thirty minutes at one time, do ten minutes at a time.
This is just as effective and you can get thirty minutes in your day quicker
and easier than you thought. You can walk or run or whatever you like.

Your diet plays a major role in your blood pressure levels as well. A high
intake of salt and sodium can greatly increase your risks. Try to limit
yourself on salt and sodium intake and have your doctor advise you on the
recommended amount according to your blood pressure levels.

Using herbs and spices in place of salt is a great way to reduce your salt
intake. When you go out to eat somewhere, suggest 'no salt' or ask if they add
salt so you know if you should or not. Many people consume tons more salt than
they really should and do not even know it.

Stress plays a big role in high blood pressure and unfortunately many people
suffer from stress. The best way to help your own is by finding a relaxation
technique that works best for you. Try meditating, or something that has always
relaxed you before. Let the stress of the day leave you and enjoy your stress
free time. Take as long as you want to do this.

While trying to change your lifestyle habits, try to keep a record as well.
Grab a notebook or journal and write down what you did and check your blood
pressure often. Note if it is making a difference or staying the same.

If lifestyle changes do not help as much as you would like, you might consider
talking with your doctor about taking medication. Sometimes lifestyle changes
alone aren't as effective unless used with medication. Talk with your doctor
about any concerns you might have and they can help decide what is best for you.

Finding the Right Blood Pressure Home Monitor

If you are checking your blood pressure from home you have the choice of
choosing your own monitor. You can use either an aneroid monitor or a digital
one. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

An aneroid monitor has a dial gauge and your blood pressure is read by a
pointer. You inflate the cuff by hand using a rubber bulb. With a digital
monitor you can choose a manual cuff or an automatic one. You can read your
blood pressure reading on a screen digitally as well. You want to choose the
one you are more comfortable using.

An aneroid monitor is very portable. The cuff that comes with this monitor also
has a stethoscope built into it. The aneroid blood pressure monitors range
cheaper in price compared to the digital ones. A down side to this monitor is
that it may be too hard for some people to hear as well as too hard to squeeze
the bulb.

Digital monitors are the more popular blood pressure monitoring devices because
they are automatic. Unlike the pointer on an aneroid device, the digital device
shows your numbers on a screen. This makes it a lot easier to read. You can
even purchase a digital monitor that comes with a paper print out feature. This
would make it easier to keep a record of your blood pressure readings.

The digital monitor has a gauge as well as a stethoscope. With the digital
monitor it has an error code which can be very beneficial and automatic
deflation of the cuff. With a digital monitor you have to use batteries and
depending on the model you may have to use your left arm. You can purchase a
digital monitor anywhere from thirty dollars to ninety and higher.

You want to choose a blood pressure monitoring device with a cuff that is the
right size for you. The right cuff size will ensure correct blood pressure
readings. Ask your doctor if you are unsure of what size you need. Be sure you
can easily read and operate the device.

If money plays a factor in your decision choose a device that fits your needs
as well as your budget. When it comes to your health you have to decide if you
can really put a price on it. While you do not want to spend an unreasonable
amount of money on something like this, you still might have to splurge a
little extra.

Look around and see what your options are. You might know someone that has a
home blood pressure monitor. If so, ask them what they might recommend. They
might recommend whatever device they are using now or tell you to steer clear
of it.

You want to choose one that is easy for you to use and read. Be sure you can
understand how to operate it as well. The less confusing it is to use, the more
beneficial it will be. Imagine how much better you are going to feel once you
gain control of your blood pressure. It will be much simpler by monitoring from
home as well as having regular check ups at your doctor visits. Lower blood
pressure lessens your risks of a stroke or heart and kidney disease. This alone
should make you feel much better.

Options for Dealing with High Blood Pressure

If you are battling high blood pressure do not be discouraged. Did you know
that as many as seventy two million people in the U.S. 20 and older have high
blood pressure? Twenty eight percent of these do not even know they have it.

Some people do not worry about their blood pressure until they get older. While
this might make sense to an extent, it is never too early to monitor your blood
pressure. If you have a family history of high blood pressure, you want to
start right away.

How many people wait until they are diagnosed with something before attempting
to prevent it or cure it? Too many. By taking control of your blood pressure
today you can prevent a stroke or developing heart or kidney disease later in
life.

When you are young you might be more active than when you get older. Try to
stay active and if you aren't, get active. All it takes is thirty minutes a day
of physical activity or exercise to control your blood pressure and better your
health.

Eat healthy foods. Try to stay away from salty and fatty foods. Salt increases
your blood pressure and fatty foods might cause weight gain, which causes high
blood pressure as well. Try to eat more vegetables and fresh fruits. You might
find you like more than you thought you would.

Stress can cause high blood pressure but there are so many ways to de-stress.
Do you have a favorite hobby that has no stress? If so, try to do this every
time you feel yourself overwhelmed or stressed out. You will be surprised at
the wonders it can do.

If you take medications talk with your doctor to make sure they aren't
affecting your blood pressure. Certain medications can raise your blood
pressure. Antidepressants, cold medicines, oral contraceptives, steroids, even
nasal decongestants might be affecting your blood pressure without your
knowledge.

If you are unsure of your family history, check it out. If you have a family
history of high blood pressure chances are you will end up with high blood
pressure as well. If you are aware of this early on, you can start monitoring
and controlling your blood pressure before it gets a chance to become high.

There are many different kinds of blood pressure medications if you are unable
to see results with regular lifestyle changes. Sometimes these medications are
needed along with a regular healthy diet and exercise to be more effective.

The best thing you can do is talk with your doctor. They can suggest something
that will help you control your blood pressure and even prescribe you some
medication. If you start medication be sure you tell them of any other medicine
you are taking as well.

You want to be in charge of your health and not wait until something happens to
take that control. When it comes to your health you can never be too late so
start as early as you can. You are never alone when it comes to dealing with
your blood pressure and other health issues.

Who Can Develop High Blood Pressure?

Are you battling high blood pressure? Do you feel like you are the only one?
You shouldn't feel that way because millions of Americans have high blood
pressure. Only a certain percentage of them actually know it.

When you see your doctor you have your blood pressure checked. Some people
think this is irrelevant because they say they will never have high blood
pressure. Probably one of the reasons so many people do not even know they have
it. They think for whatever reason it won't happen to them.

While it can be frustrating to monitor your blood pressure, there are things
you can do to help lower it or keep it under control. Exercise is a great way
to lower and control your blood pressure.

Close to one in three American adults have high blood pressure. While high
blood pressure is very common among Americans, African Americans tend to get it
while they are young and more often than white Americans.

Whatever your age or gender or ethnicity, you can easily prevent and control
your high blood pressure. There are simple ways like exercising and even simple
lifestyle changes to do this.

If you are over weight you are at a greater risk of high blood pressure. The
higher your blood pressure is the higher your risk of stroke or heart disease
is. Exercising can help you lose weight and also lower your blood pressure.

Eating healthy is also a great way to control blood pressure. Eating the right
fruits and vegetables and foods altogether is proven very beneficial. Using
less salt and sodium makes a huge difference and also drinking very minimal
alcohol.

Tobacco also increases blood pressure, so if you smoke or use any kind of
tobacco product, consider limiting yourself if not quitting altogether. You may
find it easier to slowly wean yourself from it.

Stresses plays a major factor in blood pressure and let's admit it, everyone
gets stressed at one time or another. If you find yourself dealing with a large
amount of stress, you should try some relaxation techniques. Consider
meditation, or whatever it is that relaxes you. Do this when needed and you
will see a significant improvement in the way you feel.

Did you know the cause of ninety to ninety-five percent of high blood pressure
is unknown? Luckily high blood pressure can be easily detected and controlled
with multiple options.

Another interesting statistic shows that people with less educational and even
income levels usually have higher blood pressure. Do you wonder why this? Maybe
a lot of that is stress!

It doesn't really matter who can develop high blood pressure, it's controlling
it that matters. If you are battling high blood pressure or just want to take
necessary precautions to help prevent from getting it, see your doctor. Ask any
and all questions and they can help you find a great effective way to lower or
control your blood pressure.

Remember to exercise and try to eat healthier. These overall will work wonders
and you can thank yourself in the end when your body does.

All about Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force of your blood against your
artery walls. When you have your blood pressure checked the reading has two
numbers; one on top and one on bottom.

The top number is your systolic pressure. This is the force of your blood in
your arteries when your heart beats. The bottom number is your diastolic
pressure. This is the force of your blood in your arteries when your heart
relaxes in-between beats.

Normal blood pressure would be a reading of 120/80 or lower. High blood
pressure would be a reading of 140/90 or higher. If you have high blood
pressure you are at a greater risk of a stroke or heart and kidney disease.

Many things can cause high blood pressure including physical inactivity,
tobacco and alcohol use, stress and your diet. These are only a few things.
Certain medical conditions and medications can also cause high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can cause your body to have certain effects. For instance
it can cause a stroke. The high pressure can cause a weakened blood vessel to
break causing it to bleed into the brain; thus leaving you with a stroke.

High blood pressure can also sometimes cause your blood vessels in your eyes to
bleed or burst. If this happens your vision will be blurred or impaired and
might even result in blindness. Another reason it is best to keep control on
your blood pressure.

Along with a stroke or kidney disease high blood pressure can also cause a
heart attack. Your arteries are what bring blood carrying oxygen to your heart
muscle. If your heart is not getting enough oxygen you will experience chest
pain. If the blood flow is blocked as well you will experience a heart attack.

Congestive Heart Failure is very common among people with high blood pressure.
This is a very serious condition where your heart cannot pump enough blood to
supply the needs of your body. It is never too late to start taking control of
your health starting with your blood pressure.

Anyone can develop high blood pressure, even children. It is more common for
African Americans to develop it. Many Americans will develop high blood
pressure as they age but that doesn't mean it is healthy.

Obesity plays a role in high blood pressure. If you are over weight you are at
a higher risk of having high blood pressure as well as a stroke or heart
disease. Try to lose at least ten pounds and this will help lower your blood
pressure significantly.

Eating a healthy diet is a great way to lower or control your blood pressure.
Limit your intake of salt and sodium and introduce more fresh fruits and
vegetables into your diet. Once you establish your healthy diet you will have
less worry of developing high blood pressure.

You should always have your blood pressure checked at your regular doctor
visits. If you have high blood pressure and are concerned you can easily
monitor from home. If you do this you want to have your doctor look at your
home monitoring device to help ensure it is effective and you are operating it
correctly.

Keep track of your blood pressure readings so you can see what is helping and
what isn't. Sometimes regular lifestyle changes alone won't help as much as
they would combined with blood pressure medication. Your doctor will be able to
tell you what the best option for your needs would be.

Understanding Your Blood Pressure Numbers

Are you concerned about your blood pressure? If so, you can easily start
monitoring it in your own time in your own home. You still want to have it
checked regularly by your doctor. The best way to monitor your blood pressure
is by understanding the numbers first.

There is a top and bottom number for your blood pressure reading. The top
number is your systolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the force of blood in
your arteries as your heart is beating.

The bottom number is your diastolic pressure. Diastolic pressure is the force
of blood in your arteries as your heart relaxes between each beat.

There are four different categories your blood pressure reading can fall under.
The first is a normal blood pressure reading. Normal blood pressure is when your
systolic pressure is below 120 and your diastolic pressure is below 80. This
would read 120/80. You can keep this blood pressure number by maintaining a
healthy lifestyle.

The second category is 'prehypertension.' This is where your systolic pressure
reads 120-139. Your diastolic pressure would be between 80 and 89. This would
read as 121/81 or 139/89. If you have prehypertension just maintain a healthy
lifestyle to keep your blood pressure from increasing.

The third category is called Stage 1 hypertension. This is where your systolic
pressure is between 140 and 159 and your diastolic pressure is between 90 and
99. If you have a reading like this try to adopt a healthier lifestyle. If you
cannot lower your blood pressure on your own talk with your doctor about
medication.

The fourth category is called Stage 2 hypertension. This is where your systolic
pressure is 160 or higher and your diastolic pressure is 100 or higher. If you
have this high of blood pressure consider adapting a healthier lifestyle and
talk with your doctor about taking medication to help lower it.

While you can easily watch your diet and weight and get plenty of exercise to
help maintain or lower your blood pressure, that may not be enough. Blood
pressure medication might be prescribed by your doctor and you might even have
to take two.

If this happens be sure you tell your doctor of any other medication you might
be taking. Some medications including antidepressants, cold medicines, nasal
decongestants and even oral contraceptives can raise your blood pressure.

Like usual, talk with your doctor about any concerns you might have and if you
have any questions about your blood pressure. There are many available ways to
treat high blood pressure and you want to be sure to find the right option best
suited for you.

By taking control of your blood pressure you can take control of your health
and have a longer healthier life. If you smoke, try to quit, try to limit your
alcohol consumption and eat lots of fruit and vegetables.

If you have a dog, take a walk with them everyday. Get yourself at least thirty
minutes of physical activity. You will be thankful you did when you realize how
much better you feel.

Children and Blood Pressure

Did you know that even babies can develop high blood pressure? Many might think
of this as uncommon but it isn't. When babies have high blood pressure it is
usually because they are premature or have kidney or heart problems. When an
older child has high blood pressure it is usually a result of their family
history.

As you might have noticed today, there is an increase in obesity in children.
This also increases their blood pressure putting them at health risks. A great
way to prevent this is to have your child's blood pressure checked often as
they grow older.

More ways to help are watching your child's diet and making sure they get
plenty of exercise. Some kids are not as active today what with the video games
and all. Try to get your child involved in regular activities from the start. It
will benefit their health as well as their self esteem later down the road.

Just like adults, you can easily help control your child's blood pressure.
Watch their diet. Be sure they are getting the right nutrition and limit their
salt intake. Get them eating vegetables and fresh fruits. While many children
do not like vegetables, there are many ways to overcome this. You can spice up
a recipe that involves vegetables.

Physical activity is the key to any healthy lifestyle. Getting your child
involved in physical activity when young will help ensure they stay active and
healthy as they age. Involve them in sports of their choosing and take walks
with them. You can both benefit from this.

If your family has a history of high blood pressure, be sure your child gets
routine check ups. This will help ensure they do not develop high blood
pressure and if they do, you can start controlling it. Remember stress can
raise blood pressure and while some kids shouldn't be stressed, they are.

Children deal with stress just like adults, just in different ways. Talk with
your child and stay active in their life and what goes on. You want them to
have a happy healthy life and you can help them achieve that goal.

If you are unable to control your child's blood pressure through their diet and
exercise, you might have to turn to medication. Talk with your doctor and let
them know what you have already tried. Sometimes this is not enough alone, but
with medication, can help control it.

Try to exercise with your child every day. Exercising alone sometimes is harder
for children and adults alike. You can get involved with your child this way and
it will benefit you both.

Talk with your teenager about smoking and drinking. These both cause high blood
pressure and once they know the risks they are less likely to try them. Do not
think your child is invisible from developing any health problems along with
high blood pressure.

Remember that blood pressure increases with age until you are around fifty. If
you get a head start on watching yours and your child's at an early age, you
will both benefit very well in the end.

Understanding Your Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the
walls of your arteries. Blood pressure consists of two number; a top and bottom
number. The top number is the systolic pressure. The bottom number is the
diastolic pressure.

Systolic blood pressure is the force of blood in your arteries as your heart
beats. If your systolic number is higher than one hundred and forty you have
high blood pressure. Even if your diastolic number is not high you can still
have 'isolated systolic hypertension.' This means only your systolic number is
high.

This is more common for older Americans. This pressure usually increases with
age whereas diastolic pressure decreases after fifty-five. You might not know
if you have isolated systolic hypertension so ask your doctor if you are
concerned.

Diastolic blood pressure is the force of blood in your arteries when your heart
relaxes between beats. For younger people this is a very important number. The
higher this pressure is the more you are at risk. This blood pressure lowers as
you get older and your systolic increases. Therefore diastolic is more important
in younger people and systolic in older.

Normal blood pressure is less than one hundred and twenty over less than
eighty. If your pressure is between the normal numbers and one hundred and
thirty-nine over eighty-nine, you have what is called prehypertension. This
puts you at risk to develop high blood pressure in the future but it easily
preventable.

Hypertension is a name for high blood pressure. Having high blood pressure puts
you at risk for heart disease or even strokes. High blood pressure makes your
heart work harder than it should and can lead to blindness, kidney disease and
even congestive heart failure.

According to statistics high blood pressure killed over fifty-four thousand
people in 2004. Statistics also show that twenty-eight percent of people have
high blood pressure and aren't even aware of it. Are you one of them?

You should be aware of the risks of high blood pressure so you can avoid them
as best as you can. High blood pressure is a risk for stroke and heart disease.
While some risks can be altered or fixed, some cannot. For instance if you use
tobacco or are overweight you are at risk for high blood pressure.

You can easily fix this by trying to quit using tobacco and watching your diet
to help lose weight. If you have trouble doing either of these on your own,
consult your physician. They may be able to prescribe you something or give you
useful information to help.

High blood pressure can affect certain parts of your body as well. You might
suffer from a stroke. This happens because the high blood pressure can break a
weak blood vessel leaving it to bleed into the brain. Also if you have a blood
clot blocking a narrow artery, you can also experience a stroke.

Sometimes impaired vision or blindness can occur from high blood pressure. It
might eventually cause your blood vessels in your eye to bleed or burst leaving
you with blurred or impaired vision.

Your arteries harden as you age, even more so for those in your heart, brain
and kidneys. These harder arteries are associated with high blood pressure.
When this happens your kidneys and heart have to work harder.

If you have any questions or concerns about your blood pressure ask your
doctor. They can answer any questions you might have and find a solution if you
do in fact have high blood pressure or might be prone to it. It's never too late
to take care of your body, including your blood pressure.

Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home

If you are concerned about your blood pressure you should consider monitoring
it from home. You still want to keep your regular doctor visits but this will
help ensure you are making the right lifestyle choices. There is nothing more
frustrating than changing your entire lifestyle for your
blood pressure only for it to show no change. While this can sometimes happen,
you might just need to add medication.

If you decide to monitor your blood pressure at home you want to keep a record.
By doing this you can see what is working and what isn't in lowering or
maintaining your blood pressure.

When monitoring your blood pressure you have choices of the equipment to use.
You can use an aneroid monitor that has a dial gauge and uses a pointer to
read. You can also use a digital monitor with the option of a manual or
automatic cuff. With a digital monitor your reading will flash on the screen.

Some people might suggest using a finger or wrist monitor but these have been
proven less effective. They are not as accurate, more movement sensitive and
more costly as well.

When choosing your monitor you want to choose one that has the right cuff size
for you. If you are unsure of what size to get, ask your doctor. If the cuff
size is wrong your reading will be wrong, therefore you receive no benefit in
the end.

If you want to be sure you are operating the blood pressure monitor right take
it to your doctor. They can show you how to use it correctly. Using it the
right way will ensure you get the right readings.

There are certain things you should to before checking your blood pressure. You
do not want to drink or use any caffeine, alcohol or any tobacco products thirty
minutes prior to checking. You want to be sure you use the restroom first as
well. Relax and don't talk for at least three to five minutes prior to taking a
reading.

Make sure you are completely comfortable. Do not cross your legs or arms and
keep your back straight. When you strap the cuff on, you want to be sure your
arm is at the same level of your heart. Rest it on a table or solid surface. Be
sure the cuff is snugly fit around your arm but still has room for a finger. The
bottom of the cuff should be an inch from the crease of your elbow.

Understand what your numbers mean before monitoring your blood pressure from
home. Normal blood pressure would be a reading of 120/80 or less. High blood
pressure would be 160/100 or higher. Anything in between these readings would
mean prehypertension and this means you are on the way to developing high blood
pressure.

You want to avoid this at all costs if possible and if you find your numbers
increasing consult your doctor. Together you can find an effective way of
helping you decrease your blood pressure. You might even have to consider blood
pressure medication.

What Can Raise Your Blood Pressure?

Are you concerned about what might increase your blood pressure? There are
quite a few things that can factor in to raising your blood pressure. Luckily
you can fix many of these with a few lifestyle changes.

If you do not watch your blood pressure frequently, you might not even be aware
that you have it. It can creep up on you or just increase over the years. It all
depends on many different factors.

If you are overweight you are at an increased risk of developing high blood
pressure. You might already know this and you might not. If this is the case
for you, consult your doctor and see what he might recommend for you. Losing at
least ten pounds can significantly lower your blood pressure.

An unhealthy diet or lack of physical activity or exercise can also put you at
risk for high blood pressure. Try to exercise at least thirty minutes a day
even if you have to space the time out. Eating less salt and more vegetables
and fruits can help lower your blood pressure as well. Try to incorporate this
into your present diet and you will see the results rather quickly.

Stress plays a huge factor in high blood pressure and unfortunately everyone is
stressed at some point in their lives. If you deal with a high amount of stress,
consider relaxation techniques. Do whatever you can that you know will calm you
down and help relieve stress.

Using tobacco and alcohol raise your blood pressure. If you use either of these
consider quitting. If you are unable to quit right away, limit your consumption
of alcohol and use of tobacco. There are many over the counter and prescription
products to help rid your self of these habits. Talk with your doctor of any
concerns you might have.

Medical conditions also factor into high blood pressure along with your
lifestyle. Kidney disease can result in high blood pressure as well as cause
it. Sleeping disorders that interrupt your breathing during sleep will also
raise your blood pressure. Talking with your doctor about your condition could
benefit your disorder along with your blood pressure.

Certain medications and drugs can also raise your blood pressure. Certain types
of anti-depressants will do this as well as certain cold medicines. Be aware of
oral contraceptives, nasal decongestants, anorexia drugs and steroids. These
can possibly raise your blood pressure as well so talk with your doctor before
taking any of them if you are concerned.

While you can control most of the factors that raise your blood pressure there
are some you cannot. For instance your race; African Americans are more prone
to high blood pressure, people over fifty-five are at a higher risk, and your
family history can play a role in your blood pressure as well. While you cannot
control these factors you can easily try to help decrease your risk. Watch your
diet, exercise, lifestyle habits, etc. Over time this may be very beneficial to
you.

High blood pressure can cause strokes and even heart and kidney diseases.
Leading a healthier life style can help you live longer and enjoy your time in
a healthy state. Talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may
have concerning your blood pressure. It is never too late to take control.

Preventing High Blood Pressure

If you are battling high blood pressure there are many ways to lower it and
prevent yourself from developing it again. The best way to start is without
medication if you can help it by making some lifestyle changes.

Do you smoke? If so, this can raise your blood pressure. Try to cut back if not
quit altogether. There are many aids that can help you quit smoking. Do you
drink quite a bit of alcohol? This will also raise your blood pressure so try
to cut back to a drink or two a day.

Do you consider yourself physically active on a daily basis? Getting at least
thirty minutes of exercise a day has been proven to lower and maintain a
healthy blood pressure level. Do ten minute intervals if you cannot set aside
thirty minutes all at one time.

Start a healthier diet. Did you know salt increases your blood pressure
dramatically? Limit your intake of salt or substitute it for other seasonings.
There are so many different seasonings available you should have no trouble
finding one you really like.

Add plenty of vegetables and fresh fruits into your diet. This will also help
lower and control your blood pressure. Try to stay away from fatty foods as
well.

If you are over weight this could have a major impact on your blood pressure.
Losing as little as ten pounds can significantly reduce your blood pressure.
Once you lose ten pounds you will see how easily you can lose more and you will
notice how much better and healthier you feel. Not to mention your blood
pressure levels will decrease.

Do you have a stressful job or life? Try to do away with as much stress as you
possibly can. If you cannot avoid all the causes of stress in your life find
something that helps you relax and de-stress. Meditation might work wonders for
you.

There are certain things you cannot avoid that have an effect on high blood
pressure. Your race: African Americans are at a higher risk. If you are older
than fifty-five you are at risk as well and unfortunately you cannot make
yourself younger.

If you have a family history with high blood pressure, you want to start early
prevention. Knowing about your family history will help in cases like this.
Even if you do not have high blood pressure now you have the risk of eventually
developing it, but that doesn't have to happen. Early prevention can keep your
blood pressure down.

Stay away from drugs and painkillers if possible as they can cause high blood
pressure. Some prescription medications can cause high blood pressure such as:
nasal decongestants, anorexia drugs, steroids, antidepressants, oral
contraceptives and cold medicines.

If you are taking any of these and are having problems with your blood pressure
levels, be sure your doctor is aware you are taking them.

Having high blood pressure can put you at a higher risk of stroke and heart and
kidney disease so preventing this can benefit your health immensely. Talk with
your doctor of any questions you might have or concerns. No question is silly
and it is never too early to start taking better care of your health starting
with your blood pressure.

When To Use Blood Pressure Medication

If you are concerned about your blood pressure there are different types of
medication you can take to help control or lower your pressure. You might try
some lifestyle changes first before opting for medicine. Remember that
sometimes medicine is the only way you might be able to lower it. Different
lifestyle changes do not always work on their own.

First you might consider your diet. Do you consider yourself a healthy eater?
Do you think you have a pretty healthy diet? Your diet could be affecting your
blood pressure. High amounts of salt and sodium intake can raise your blood
pressure. Try to limit your salt intake and eat more fresh fruits and
vegetables.

If you love salt, consider substituting it with a different seasoning. There
are so many different kinds of seasonings available you can easily find
something to your liking.

Are you physically active on a regular basis? Physical inactivity can play a
part in high blood pressure as well. If you can try to get at least thirty
minutes a day of physical exercise you can help lower or control your blood
pressure.

If you cannot set aside a full thirty minutes do ten or five minute intervals.
As long as you get thirty minutes total for the day you are helping your blood
pressure. This could mean taking a walk, doing an exercise video, riding a
bike, etc. Whatever physical activity you enjoy the most will benefit your
health and blood pressure.

Do you use tobacco or drink high amounts of alcohol? This can dangerously
increase your blood pressure. Try to limit your tobacco use or alcohol
consumption. If you can, quit them altogether. This is not always easy for some
but do not feel discouraged.

There are many products to help you quit both habits and just focus on knowing
you will feel healthier and you will be controlling your blood pressure too. If
you have high blood pressure you are at risk for a stroke or heart and kidney
disease. This alone should be motivation enough to get healthier.

While some of these lifestyle changes alone may not help you, it is always
worth giving it a shot. If all else fails talk to your doctor about starting a
blood pressure medication. Just remember to keep trying the lifestyle changes
along with taking your medication. Doing both can significantly help your blood
pressure.

There are many different types of blood pressure medications and sometimes two
will work better than one alone. If you do not like taking medicine this can be
rather hard to accept but know it will benefit your health in the end.

A few types of blood pressure medications are beta-blockers, diuretics,
vasodilators, alpha-blockers, alpha-beta-blockers and nervous system
inhibitors. These are only some of the many available blood pressure
medications.

Before taking any blood pressure medications or starting any new diet you want
to consult your doctor. They might be able to help you choose something that
will help your blood pressure without drastic changes or measures. Ask them any
questions or concerns you have. This is your health you are discussing and you
want to know everything.

If he suggests a medication ask him what it does, what the side effects are and
if it will interact with any other drugs you might be taking, prescription or
non-prescription. You can never be too careful and avoiding a stroke or heart
disease is very important if you can help it.

Diet and Food Affect Your Blood Pressure

Are you aware that what you eat can affect your blood pressure? Watching your
diet can be very beneficial to keeping your blood pressure normal. Even if you
have never had a problem with high blood pressure, taking necessary precautions
can be beneficial.

You could try a Vegetarian diet. In this diet you will get many of the
following:

* Calcium 
* Magnesium 
* Vitamin A & C 
* Potassium 
* Complex Carbohydrates 
* Polyunsaturated Fat 
* Fiber

All of these can have a great influence on your blood pressure.

Sugar can increase your blood pressure, especially the common table sugar
sucrose. Try to limit your intake of this. A diet high in fiber has been proven
effective in lowering blood pressure. Along with lowering your blood pressure
this diet will also help you reduce your cholesterol levels and even promote
weight loss.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is very important as well. Any diet that
includes consuming fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and is low in total
fat, cholesterol and saturated fat has proven to be effective in lowering blood
pressure.

Many people use more salt than they are aware of. Maybe because some of us are
just used to automatically salting our food unaware if it was salted when being
cooked. (If eating out) Reducing your salt intake will also help lower your
blood pressure.

A diet high in potassium and low in sodium reduces your blood pressure rise by
reducing the effect of adrenaline. If you reduce your sodium intake you must
also increase your potassium intake.

There are some vegetables and spices that help control your blood pressure.
Many of these are very common vegetables and spices so you may be helping your
blood pressure and not even know it.

Onions' essential oil is very beneficial. If you have two to three tablespoons
of this essential onion oil a day, it could help reduce your systolic levels.
Tomatoes are also a beneficiary to controlling blood pressure. They are high in
GABA, a compound that helps lower your blood pressure.

Broccoli contains several blood pressure reducing ingredients. Carrots also
have many compounds that do the same. Introducing these vegetables to your diet
will do wonders for your blood pressure. Even if you don't suffer from high
blood pressure, it's best to keep it at a safe level and take the extra
precautions to get there.

Garlic and celery are also great to add to your diet. Garlic is good for the
heart which you've probably been told before. Eating just one clove of garlic a
day has been proven to be beneficial.

Whatever diet you choose or whatever foods you try to limit, remember you are
doing it for your health. Many people learn to enjoy healthier foods as they
get older. If you have any questions or concerns about your blood pressure get
with your doctor. They will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you
might have. Taking care of your health is very important and will make you feel
much better.

Are You at Risk for High Blood Pressure?

Do you know what the risks are of high blood pressure? How do you know if you
are at risk? There are many different causes for high blood pressure. In this
article you will find out if you are at risk and how you can help prevent and
control your high blood pressure.

Your blood pressure is high if it is over 120/80, which is the normal level of
blood pressure. There are many everyday lifestyle habits that raise your
pressure that you might not be aware of. One of those is being overweight. If
you are overweight you are at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure.

Try to start a healthy diet or start exercising. Even losing a measly ten
pounds can help you drastically and keep your blood pressure normal. Physical
inactivity is also another lifestyle habit that causes many Americans to
develop high blood pressure.

If you are not very physically active, consider starting to be. You can easily
adapt exercise to your everyday routine; you just have to plan it out. Try to
do at least thirty minutes of exercise a day. This will help lower or control
your blood pressure.

Many people are not concerned with what they eat, yet they want to be healthy.
These two do not go together. If you want to stay healthy, you have to watch
what you eat. Having unhealthy eating habits can cause high blood pressure as
well. Try to eat less salt or sodium and more vegetables and fruits.

Using tobacco products is a great risk for developing high blood pressure.
Smoking is a very common habit among the world and many of these people might
have high blood pressure and not even know it. There are many ways to help rid
the habit of nicotine or use of any tobacco product.

Every one is stressed at some point during their lives. You might be stressed
every day or just once in awhile. Whatever the case may be, you can still
develop high blood pressure through stress. If you find yourself stressed more
often than not, consider some relaxation techniques. Meditation is a great way
to start. If this doesn't work, consider something different.

Drinking alcohol also causes high blood pressure. Do you drink quite a bit?
More than two drinks for a man and more than one for a woman can raise their
blood pressure. If you drink more than this, consider cutting back. Once again,
if you are addicted to drinking, or smoking, you can find many ways to help you
quit.

These are very common lifestyle habits that cause high blood pressure. If you
are at risk for high blood pressure or already have it, consider purchasing a
home blood pressure monitoring device. This can help ensure that whatever
habits you are changing or modifying are working.

Sometimes this change is not enough. You might have to use medication or
incorporate medication with your exercise routine, etc. The best way to know
this is to visit your doctor. Ask any and all questions you might be concerned
about. They will happy to assist you in helping you have a healthier and active
lifestyle.

All about Blood Pressure Medication

Have you tried changing your lifestyle to help your blood pressure only to find
it isn't helping very much? Sometimes lifestyle changes alone aren't as
effective as when combined with blood pressure medication.

There are many different kinds of blood pressure medications out there today.
Usually two different medications are used rather than one alone. Here are some
of the main blood pressure medications:

* Alpha-Blockers: This medicine reduces nerve impulses to your blood vessels
  allowing easier flowing of the blood making your blood pressure decrease.

* Alpha-Beta-Blockers: These work just like the alpha-blockers but also slow
  your heart beat. This means less blood pumps through your vessels making your
  blood pressure decrease.

* Nervous System Inhibitors: This medication relaxes your blood vessels by
  controlling the nerve impulses making your vessels wider and decreasing blood
  pressure.

* Beta-Blockers: These reduce your nerve impulses to your heart and blood
  vessels, making your heart beat decrease while dropping your blood pressure.

* Diuretics: These are also known as 'water pills,' a very common medication.
  These diuretics work in your kidney, flushing out all excess sodium along with
  water from your body.

* Vasodilators: These open your blood vessels directly by relaxing the muscle
  in your vessel walls which then causes your blood pressure to decrease.

* ACE Inhibitors: ACE stands for 'Angiotensin converting enzyme.' These
  inhibitors prevent a hormone called angiotensin II from forming, which will
  usually cause your blood vessels to narrow. They help the vessels relax which
  makes your blood pressure decrease.

* Angiotensin Antagonists: These block your blood vessels from angiotensin II.
  When blocked these vessels can widen letting your blood pressure decrease.

* Calcium Channel Blockers: These keep any calcium from entering your heart's
  muscle cells and your blood vessels causing your blood pressure to decrease.

An alternate to taking any medication if possible is watching a few lifestyle
habits. For instance a healthy diet can help control your blood pressure.
Substitute salt for other seasonings and add lots of fresh fruits and
vegetables to your diet.

Get at least thirty minutes of physical activity or exercise a day. That
doesn't mean you have to exercise thirty minutes all at once. Ten minutes here
and there is just as effective.

Try to keep your stress level at a minimum. High stress can increase your blood
pressure so find something that relaxes you and helps you de-stress. Do this
whenever you find yourself stressed out beyond your means.

Try to cut back on tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Quitting altogether is
more beneficial but isn't always easy. Remember there are many resources and
products available to help you quit either of these habits.

Sometimes these lifestyle changes will not work alone. Your doctor might
prescribe you a blood pressure medication if not two. Just talk with your
doctor to find out what would be better for you and your blood pressure. Ask
any and all questions and if you are taking other medications tell your doctor.
Certain medications including oral contraceptives and cold medicines can
increase your blood pressure.

Treatments for High Blood Pressure

There are many things that you can do to naturally lower your blood pressure,
and there are also many medications that you can take to make sure that your
blood pressure stays as low as possible for your body.

First of all, you need to be sure that you are always eating a diet that is low
in fat and cholesterol. This is your best defense against high blood pressure.
If you can incorporate healthy food into your life as something that you are
always doing, you are going to find that you are able to lower your blood
pressure at least a little bit simply by eating the right foods. This is
important to do, and it is important to start right now. Eating healthy food is
something that can help your body, but it is something that you have to keep up,
and something that you have to do for a long time. If you have been in the habit
of eating foods that are bad for you, you are going to find that it takes a long
time for a healthy diet to make a real difference. However, you shouldn't give
up, because it is something that will do wonders for you.

You should also be sure that you are getting plenty of exercise. This is
something that is important, but you have to make sure that it is the right
kind. Remember that the best kind of exercise for lowering your blood pressure
is something that gets your heart moving. You want to make sure that your heart
is very healthy, and that you are getting enough exercise.

However, it might be that even though you are eating right and getting enough
exercise, you still have to deal with high blood pressure. This might be
because you have abused your body for awhile and you need to have some time for
your body to heal. It might be that you have been eating a high fat diet for
many years, and you need to take the time to get your body back to where it
should be. Or it might be that you have a condition that makes you have high
blood pressure, even if you don't do anything wrong. In these cases, it might
become important to use blood pressure medication. This will help you to
regulate your blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about the different
medications, and what they can do for you when it comes to lowering your blood
pressure. There are also a variety of natural techniques, like acupuncture and
massage that can be used to lower your blood pressure. Look into all of these
options before finding one that is right for you.

Alcohol

As much as blood pressure is affected by various states of the body throughout
the day, as well as various diseases that are seen in many people, it can also
be affected by outside influences such as food and drinks. Specifically,
alcoholic drinks are a major factor that influences blood pressure in a person.
It is important that more people pay attention to the relationship between
alcohol and blood pressure because it is such an important relationship that
could very well determine whether or not you are a healthy or unhealthy
individual. Drinking alcohol could also increase the chance of other medical
issues which may then indirectly lead to an increase in blood pressure.

Regular drinkers are exceptionally prone to having high blood pressure, because
they harm their kidneys in such a way that more pressure is exerted on arteries
and such, since the kidneys are closely connected with blood pressure. Drinkers
should limit the amount they drink to one or two drinks every day or so. Women
should be expecially careful as to how much they drink because their tolerance
is normally lower than a man's. If blood pressure becomes a strong problem due
to drinking, doctors are very likely to administer some strong medicine to a
person.

Alcohol also causes some people to become overweight. At the very least, it is
a contributing factor to being overweight, due the number of calories alcohol
contains. That beer gut people get after downing a six pack a day is not only
making you look bad, chances are it's also raising your blood pressure to
dangerously high levels. After all, the more fat a person has on them, the more
pressure that fat is going to put on arteries, which will, in turn, raise the
pressure of the blood pressing against those arteries.

Because of the strong correlation between alcohol and high blood pressure, it
is plain to see that drinking less is going to drastically help keep a person's
blood pressure down. Besides the other obvious health risks that could be
avoided by drinking less, not having to worry about a high blood pressure could
be one of the best to consider. Physicians with patients who have a high blood
pressure should give out regulations and limits in regards to drinking in order
to better prepare people for the consequences they could encounter.

Blood Pressure and Drug Use

There is a lot of different talk about how thing that we do in life will affect
our body. Using drugs is one of these things. Using drugs is going to be
important depending on the amount and how often the drug use is going to occur.
One of the things that are going to be a good target by your drug abuse is your
blood pressure. You have to figure out that your blood pressure is something
that can be dangerously damaged by your drug use. It is going to be very
important that you know what this could mean in order to keep your body healthy.

If you have high blood pressure, you are going to be more at risk for many
different types health problems. Your body is not going to be healing well
after an injury and it will not repair itself after being sick. Actually high
blood pressure is something that can lead to a lot of trouble during your life
and to help this from happening there are some things that you should think
about doing.

The first thing is that you should get a lot of exercise for your body. You
need to be getting your heart pumping for a long period of time several times a
week. This is a good way to keep your heart in shape and make sure that you are
not going to develop high blood pressure. You will need to eat a good diet and
stay away from high fat and cholesterols and that you should be doing whatever
is healthier for your body when it comes to the food that you put in your mouth.

Any kind of drug will have a huge impact on your blood pressure. If you are
getting the right amount of exercise and eating well, you are still hurting
your body if you are using drugs. You should know that when you put anything
into your blood system it not only makes you feel good by getting you high, it
will also do damage to all of your inside organs and all of the other parts of
your body. Doing drugs will raise your blood pressure as well as do many other
terrible things to you and your body. You need to think about this and remember
that doing drugs is going to make your body sick and it will not get better. You
do not want to have a drug problem and increase your chances of dying too early
in life. This will happen if you continue to do drugs and not take care of your
body and keep your blood pressure under control.

Influences

Fluid systems in the body are notorious for the high level of complexity in
their physics. The circulatory system is no different, and it is because of
this that there are so many different factors that could affect a person's
blood pressure. The rate the heart pumps to the viscosity of the blood itself,
blood pressure has influences from multiple factors in the body. These factors
may, in turn, be influenced by outside factors such as diet, exercise, disease,
or drugs. This is because of this that blood pressure has an even greater number
of indirect influencers.

Let's start by discussing probably the most influential factor associated with
blood pressure: the rate of pumping, more commonly referred to as the heart
rate. The average heart rate for a healthy human being runs between 70 and 75
beats per minute. The higher the heart rate is, the higher the blood pressure.
Another physical factor related to blood pressure is the blood volume of the
body. The more blood there is in the body, the higher the rate of blood return
to the heart and the higher the blood pressure. There is a correlation between
salt intake and blood volume in many people, though the amount to which it
raises blood pressure varies.

Resistance and viscosity are two other major influencing factors in blood
pressure. Resistance here relates to the size of blood vessels as well as the
smoothness of these vessels. There are things in the body that affect the size
of blood vessels. Some make them thinner, which increases blood pressure, while
others do the opposite. Fatty acids are responsible for the smoothness of blood
vessels, because the more that is deposited on the walls, the less resistance
there is. Viscosity, on the other hand, is the thickness of the blood flowing
through the body. The thicker the blood is that's pumping through a body's
veins, the higher the blood pressure will be. Certain illnesses affect the
viscosity of blood, as well as the level of sugars in the blood.

While thus far high blood pressure has been the effect of these factors, there
are certainly ones that influence low blood pressure as well. Some causes of
low blood pressure include sepsis, hemorrhaging, certain toxins, and hormonal
abnormalities. On a lighter note, simply sitting and standing could lower blood
pressure as well, though the factors that influence low blood pressure are
usually more severe.

Low Blood Pressure

There are a lot of different effects that blood pressure can have on a body.
Most think about hypertension otherwise known as high blood pressure. However
having low blood pressure can cause problems as well. Hypotension can be
serious and it should be taken care of immediately. Having low blood pressure
can affect the bran and could as a result cause more problems that can not be
fixed or even fatal.

The most known reason for having hypotension is having decreased blood volume
that is known as hypovolemia. There are many reasons why this is a problem that
can occur in this way. Most of them have to do with problem with the nervous
system in the brain. There are other causes that will include some medicines
that can have hypovolemia as a side effect. Because low blood pressure has
these affects and is a result of problems with such an important part of the
body, it makes hypotension even more serious than having high blood pressure.

One type of problem related to hypotension that should be considered is
orthostatic hypotension. This is also known as postural hypotension and is one
of the more common forms of low blood pressure. It can occur because of a
change in the body's position. An example would be standing up from a sitting
or lying down position can briefly lower the blood flow in the body. Because of
this, you can become dizzy, and can be noticed on a regular basis by many.
Another more serious type of the syndrome can be brought on by medications of
the physical and the psychiatric topic.

There is another form of hypotension that is less common than orthostatic
hypotension. It is known as postprandial hypotension and will occur 30-75
minutes after you have eaten. Digestion of food can send a large dose of the
blood to the digestive system and due to this the autonomic nervous system must
compensate to increase the body's heart rate and find make more blood pump.
Orthostatic hypotension can affect the autonomic nervous system, making it even
weaker than it already is. It is also a sign of a failing autonomic nervous
system maybe because of age or something else completely.

Hypotension is just as severe as hypertension. Even though the two may sound
the same, their affects on the body are very different. However they are both
cause for concern and should be checked out immediately especially since having
low blood pressure could affect the brain and this is the most important part of
the body.

Low Fat Dairy

There are so many healthy heart decisions that you can make to lower your blood
pressure. You may be wandering what does your blood pressure do for you? The
answer is simple. Anyone that has higher blood pressures is going to be more
likely to have a lot of problems with their health. If you find a way to
decrease your blood pressure, you are going to be giving yourself the
opportunity to become healthier and a lot happier in your own life too.

What you eat is going to end up to be very important to your health and
lowering your blood pressure. If you can create a way to eat foods that are low
in fat like low fat dairy, you will be able to lower your blood pressure
dramatically.

This will be a result when you are eating foods that are high in fat just as
most dairy products are. The fat is going to build up in your arteries and if
this occurs, your arteries are going to be harder for the blood to get through.
For your blood to get through your arteries like it should be happening, your
heart is going to have to work harder. This will mean that your blood pressure
will rise. If this happens, you are going to have a better chance of having a
heart attack and stroke. You will also be more acceptable to getting more
disease that you might not have to worry about if you had lower blood pressure.

What you eat is very important to your health and getting your blood pressure
to be lower. Taking the time to eat low fat dairy is a good way that you can
really help yourself to be healthier. The lower fat dairy is easy to get
accustom to once you have tried it and see what it is like. You are going to be
doing something that is good for your body and for your whole like too. If you
are switching to a low fat dairy diet it and it is something that you can do
all the time, you are going to be giving yourself more life to live ahead of
you.

You should try and do the change for your body. It is going to make a huge
impact on your life and it will lower your blood pressure which will help lead
you down a better road to health.

Mean Arterial Pressure

The blood pressure is in our body is always changing and it is part of the
human physiology and biology. It is very rare for a person to have blood
pressure that is always the same no matter what. This is true. It is just not
going to happen for anyone. The reason behind this is that we do different
things like eat, sit and stand, breath differently, move around and do many
other things throughout a day.

Every time that we do something different, our blood pressure will change. It
is going to react to the different position that we are in. it is very
important that doctors and other professionals have the set rate for each
person that relates to blood pressure and what it should be. It is just
impossible for anyone to take his or her blood pressure all the time throughout
the day. This is where arterial pressure starts. What this is will be the
average value for a person's blood pressure and it will stand for the person's
health and blood pressure on a regular and normal day.

There are different reasons that mean that an arterial pressure is taken and
recorded for that person. Not all are related to health. The mean arterial
pressure is known as part of a couple biological processes that do not show any
type of health problem. When an arterial blood flow goes through the body it is
going somewhere that it has in mind. Usually the blood is pumped through the
arteries and left in the beds of capillaries that will run across the surface
of different organs and give them the nutritional substances that are needed to
operate right. This is perfusion pressure is thought to actually be the mean
arterial pressure.

For the mean arterial pressure to allow an organ to operate the way that it
should, it will have to be at around 60 mmHg. This is going to be enough to
take on an organ for the average size person as long as it is remains at this
spot. If the value would fall below the average, this will mean that there is
not enough blood pumping into the organ and this will cause the organ to become
alchemic. This will be result of tissue damage to the organ and it is a very
good idea that the mean arterial pressure be checked and calculated on a
regular basis. Different health officials will make it a good idea to check the
value of a person's arterial pressure when they take a person's blood pressure.
It is just one of the many calculations that have to be made in conjunction
with blood pressure and what is going to make the body run better and more
efficiently.

Pulse Pressure

There are many different forms of pressure that you should get checked as well
as your blood pressure to keep yourself in good health. If this is not taken
care of, some of the problems that could be happening may not be found in time
for them to be treated correctly. One type of pressure that could be checked is
your pulse pressure. This is going to be the change in blood pressure during a
single contraction of the heart. There is a way to find the pulse pressure of a
person easily. Pulse pressure can be taken into account when there is a problem
with your blood pressure. It is a good indicator to some different types of
heart problems.

Because you know how important a pulse pressure is, it is time to talk about
how to find out a person's pulse pressure measurements. Normally, the pulse
pressure is the systolic pressure minus the diastolic pressure. The following
items can calculate it: stroke volume divided by compliance. Stroke volume is
the volume of blood pumped out of a ventricle with each beat of the heart, as
compliance is the standard regulation of beats. The resting pulse pressure in
the average person is 40 mmHg and this could increase up to 100mmHg when a
healthy adult is exercising. The numbers out of this range will show a possible
health problem and you should talk to your doctor about it as soon as you can to
avoid any kind of complications.

It is very rare to get a pulse pressure reading of less than 40mmHg. The
chances are if you receive one that is really lower than the others, you have
just done the calculations wrong. If the pulse pressure is low usually, it
reflects a low stroke volume and this means that your heart is not pumping out
the right amount of blood that it is supposed to. This could be due to a very
serious problem like congestive heart disorder or shock.

If your pulse pressure is more than 40 mmHg, usually a reading between 60 and
80mmHg, there are few reasons that this may happen. This is an indicator of
stiffness of the arteries, a leak in the aortic valve, and an extra path for
the blood to go on from the arteries to the veins, hypothyroidism, or some kind
of combination of these. It is something that should be discussed with your
doctor if it is higher than average and of course, when you have lower pulse
pressure than usual too.

Race

There are many different things that can put you at a greater risk for high
blood pressure. If there is something in your life that makes it hard for your
heart to work the right way that it should, you are going to experience high
blood pressure, even if you are doing some things in the healthy way. However,
one of the things that has long been felt by many in the medical community to
be a factor in high blood pressure is your race. It has long been thought that
there are some genetic factors that make one race more apt to have high blood
pressure than another. While this might be true, there are certain things that
you should try and do for yourself no matter what race you are.

First of all, a big part of high blood pressure is the foods that we eat. If
you come from a racial background that richly celebrates every occasion with
meals that are high in fat and cholesterol, your entire family is going to see
that they might have problems with high blood pressure. This might be something
that is linked to race, because different races celebrate things in different
ways, and the traditional cooking is much different from place to place, as
well as from race to race. If you belong to a culture that has a tendency to
eat foods often that are high in fat, you might want to consider changing the
way that you cook on a day to day basis. If you still want to participate in
your family functions and eat the foods that everyone else is eating, it is
okay as long as this is only practiced in moderation. If you can cook for
yourself every single day and eat foods that are low in fat and cholesterol,
you are going to have a better chance of lowering your own high blood pressure.
You can also encourage your family to use low fat substitutes when they are
celebrating. Exercise plays a role as well.

Certain blood pressure conditions are prevalent with certain races. If you are
black or Hispanic, make sure you keep your blood pressure in check A number of
more serious health conditions can occur if high blood pressure is not
addressed, so if you are at risk, monitor it carefully, eat well, and exercise
often. By doing these things, you can prevent high blood pressure, no matter
what race you may be.

Sphygmomanometers

Blood pressure is a tricky thing. Although it can be easily read by just about
anyone, the process of finding ones blood pressure can be a little tricky. For
those people looking to get the most precise reading possible, an invasive
procedure must be put into play. This means a device must be inserted into a
person and the blood pressure must be read in that way. However, the most
common way to measure blood pressure is to use something called a
sphygmomanometer. This is normally referred to as a blood pressure cuff, since
that is exactly what it is: a pressurized cuff that is attached around a
person's forearm.

The cuff is usually placed around the upper left arm of a patient, at roughly
the same vertical height as the person's heart. The patient must be in an
upright position for the cuff to read the blood pressure correctly, because
only in this position does the blood flow through the body as it should. The
cuff is then inflated until enough pressure is placed on the brachial artery
there for a reading to occur. The systolic pressure is taken when the cuff
begin to decrease. The doctor places a stethoscope against the elbow and
listens to hear when the Korotkoff sounds begin. When they do, the systolic
pressure is taken. The cuff continues to deflate until the sounds are heard no
more. When this occurs, the doctor takes down the diatolic pressure.

Two types of blood pressure cuffs are in existence: digital and manual. Both of
these types have their ups and downs, though most people tend to use the digital
blood pressure cuffs when they are taking their blood pressure at home or in a
drug store. Digital cuffs are not only easier to use, they are also more
practical in a noisy environment, since you don't have to listen for the
Korotkoff sounds in order to get a blood pressure reading. These cuff types
actually measure the mean arterial pulse, and then derive both the systolic and
diatolic pressures from that. The only downside is that they cannot be used in
certain conditions pertaining to health problems some people encounter. Manual
sphygmomanometers are much more precise than digital ones, though they take
more skill to operate and therefore are normally used only by doctors. They
involve having to manually pump the cuff as well as listening for the Korotkoff
sounds, which some people find difficult to gauge.

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