High Blood Pressure

 High Blood Pressure Video

High Blood Pressure is the most common health problem that strikes adults. While everyone has blood pressure, higher than normal (or in some cases, lower than normal) blood pressure can be a health risk. Regular blood pressure is the force that is exerted on the blood vessels and heart by the flowing motion of the blood. It has two basic components – systolic pressure, which is the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart is actively pumping blood and diastolic pressure, which is the minimum pressure when the heart is resting between beats. While the normal blood pressure of an adult is considered to be 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury, anything above this is considered to be a clinical case of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is considered to be dangerous due to a variety of reasons. For one thing, a person with high blood pressure is considered to be at an increased risk for heart diseases, strokes and even heart failure. For another, those with high blood pressure are said to be more likely to end up with renal diseases and kidney failure. Studies reveal that more than 32% of adult Americans suffer from high blood pressure. While there may be no obvious symptoms of high blood pressure, indications like breathlessness, unexplained weakness, obesity, quick temper, slurring of speech, excessive sweating etc may prove the existence of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is also known as a silent killer because most of the symptoms can pass off for general ailments. Nobody is likely to attribute them to high blood pressure and most people discover that they are in fact suffering from high blood pressure at a much later stage. With age and an inactive lifestyle, the risk of developing high blood pressure only increases. Unhealthy lifestyle issues also figure prominently in the list of usual suspects that produce and sustain high blood pressure.

Controlling and preventing high blood pressure is quite simple. First and foremost, you need to get a check up by a physician in order to determine if you indeed have high blood pressure. Based on the results of the test, your physician will tell you what you need to do. However, some of the general requirements to keep high blood pressure in control include the following. If you are obese or tend towards obesity, you need to immediately start off on a program to lose weight. Physical activity is the best way to do this. Next, and very important, is that sufferers of high blood pressure need to reduce their salt intake. Alcohol too is among the banned or moderated foods/drinks for people with high blood pressure. Finally, smoking is another cause of high blood pressure and needs to be curtailed or stopped altogether. In addition to these, there are a number of high blood pressure drugs that may be used (only with a prescription!) to keep high blood pressure under control. Remember that high blood pressure is not a fatal illness. But failure to control it may lead to other fatal complications. So act now before it is too late!