Reduce — Page 2

Blood pressure is the measure of the pressure against the walls of the arteries. There are two forces that form blood pressure. One of the forces is created when the heart pumps blood into the arteries through the circulatory system. The other force is due to the arteries as they resist the flow of blood. Blood pressure is always stated in two numbers, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. The higher number is systolic pressure which represents the pressure while heart contracts to pump the blood to the body. The lower number is the diastolic pressure which represents the pressure when heart relaxes between the beats.

What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?

High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure or tension within the arteries. Arteries are the vessels that carry blood from heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. High blood pressure usually has no visible symptoms. There are lots of people whose blood pressures are high, but they do not realize it until it is too late. For this reason, high blood pressure is also called as the silent killer. Hypertension damages the blood vessels. This in turn risks heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. So it is very necessary for one to reduce blood pressure.

Methods to Reduce Blood Pressure

Various scientific studies have shown that following are some of the effective ways one could reduce blood pressure:

1. Weight loss if obese or overweight : It is very important for one to reduce weight if one is obese or overweight. Weight impacts the strain on the heart which disturbs the pumping of blood due to which the pressure increases.

2. Restriction on intake of sodium : The intake of sodium should be restricted or in limit as sodium increases the blood pressure. Sodium intake causes water retention in the body. It is advisable to check the labels of the food packets like potato chips, bread, cheese, etc before buying them. Sodium mustn’t be there in the ingredients. Limit intake of sodium to 1,500 to 2,400 milligrams per day.

3. Increase intake of potassium, magnesium and calcium : A proper intake of minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium helps proper functioning of heart, due to which blood circulation increases and chances of high blood pressure decreases.

4. Reduce or stop intake of alcohol : Avoid alcohol as much as possible. If you cannot avoid it completely, you must limit it to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.

5. Limit intake of caffeine : Excessive intake of caffeine creates acidity causing stress on heart. This stress may increase the blood pressure.

6. Regular physical exercise : Regular exercise not only increases the blood circulation but also helps in maintaining the weight. It helps the body to perform its functions normally.

7. Increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables and fiber rich food : Increase in consumption of fruits, vegetables and fiber rich foods increases the energy required for the body to perform activity.

8. Cut down high cholesterol and high fat foods : Cholesterol and fats build up blocks in the heart which reduces the circulation of blood from the heart.

9. Stop smoking and stop intake of tobacco : Cigarettes contains nicotine. Nicotine and tobacco causes blood vessels to constrict and your heart to beat faster, which raises your blood pressure.

10. Reduce stress in your life : Reduce the stress in your life as much as possible by relaxation technique, biofeedback or just by avoiding stressful situations and conditions.

Reduce Blood Pressure – Some Treatment Approaches

To treat patient with blood pressure, one should be check if the patient is diabetic or not.

Diabetes increases the chances of cardiovascular disease. So control of blood pressure in diabetes is tougher. The goals for treatment in blood pressure are:-

For diabetic patients:

Systolic pressure: less than 140mg

Diastolic pressure: less than 85mg

For non-diabetic patients:

Systolic pressure: less than 130mg

Diastolic pressure: less than 80mg

Medicinal methods that are used to treat patient with blood pressure are:

1. ACE inhibitors : ACE inhibitors stop the production of hormone called angiotensin. Angiotensin causes the narrowing of blood vessels. ACE inhibitors expand the blood vessels and improve the blood flow.

2. Beta blockers : Beta blockers block the effect of hormone adrenaline and help in conditioning the nervous system of the body. Due to this the heart relaxes and beats slowly and thus the blood pressure reduces.

3. Alpha blockers : It causes blood vessels to widen and relax. It is generally a good combination with beta blockers for effect on resistance of circulation.

4. Calcium channel blockers : It reduces the muscle tension in the arteries, expanding them and creating more room for blood circulation. It also relaxes the heart muscles, reducing the blood pressure.

5. Diuretics : It helps to get rid of salts and excessive fluids through kidney. Helping the blood vessels to relax and reducing strain on blood circulation.

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“Keeping just a few pounds off can significantly affect your risk of getting high blood pressure or diabetes,” says cardiovascular health expert Lawrence Appel at the John Hopkins School of Medicine. Most Americans don’t realize how simple modifications can tack on an extra ten years to their lives.

It was previously assumed that if you had heart attacks and congestive heart failure in your family, then you were doomed and if your genetic slate was clean, then you’d be fine. However, health experts are finding that long hours, high stress and sloppy lifestyle habits are contributing to a rise in patients suffering from hypertension.

Over at the Harvard School of Medicine, researchers have developed a dietary program known as “DASH,” an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet includes: 8 grain servings, 5 vegetable servings, 2-3 low fat dairy servings, 1-2 servings of meat, poultry or fish and 5 servings per week of nuts, seeds or beans.

Saturated fats and sugars should be limited and serving sizes generally run 1/2 cup cooked, 1 cup raw or 2 tbsp nuts and seeds. Exercise is crucial! Within just two weeks, the diet already began having an effect on Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s patients, with 70% returning to normal blood pressure levels. He says that increasing minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium had a strong impact, as did limiting fat and sodium. The diet triggers a diuretic effect, much like certain medications that work to “flush the system.”

In addition to the DASH Diet, certain “super foods” and supplements give high blood pressure sufferers high hopes for recovery. Several studies show the effectiveness of Q10, a coenzyme that reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as fish oil supplements that pack the body with the necessary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids it needs to perform better. Traditional Chinese medicine recommends garlic, chestnuts, turnips, honey, Chinese celery, hawthorn berries and mung beans to decrease high blood pressure.

Thirty minutes of moderate-intense exercise at least four days per week is the official 2003 American Heart Association standard for optimal heart health. For people who may not be able to meet strenuous standards, walking for three ten-minute intervals per day is recommended.

Additionally, yoga is a good low-impact exercise that decreases stress and may also help reverse high blood pressure. Many Americans find that treadmills and bicycles are their best allies when it comes to an enjoyable workout they can stick to.

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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Treatment – Reduce Your Blood Pressure

Tips To Help Reduce High Blood Pressure