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How to Lower Blood Pressure and Avoid Pushing Daisies

So you want to know how to lower blood pressure? Obviously you’ve heard about the dangers this condition poses to your health and you want to know how to lower the risk.

Hypertension is silent and deadly and it’s on the rise, its even casting a shadow over the young as well.

So what’s the reason for the big increase in suffers? The medical bodies point the finger at modern living such as.

  • Foods that are easily accessible like take-a-ways, quick microwave meals and others that are filled with over the top sodium and unhealthy fats.
  • Spending hours on end on the favourite pass time, worshiping the god known as TV, and lack of proper physical activity
  • Children on their games consoles from morning till night no wonder the silent killer is able to spread its dark shadow over so many.

If you really want to know how to lower blood pressure than listen up

Step one

Have your blood pressure checked by your doctor, if you haven’t had it checked do so now as hypertension in most cases there are no symptoms what so ever. The doctor might use the best stethoscope for blood pressure to take your readings.

Prior to me being diagnosed with the condition all those years back, it didn’t cross my mind that I suffered from it.

There were on some occasions where out of the blue I was hit with dizzy spells, which I dismissed, thinking I was just overworked.

Step two

if suffer from this health isue ask your doctor how high is it? Will you have to go on prescribed medication or will lifestyle changes be good enough to lower it?

Unfortunately for me lifestyle changes alone are not up to the job in keeping my problem under control.

I’m on a drug called Ramipril, one 10 mg pill a day, but my doctor is not happy with its performance. He says its not bringing my BP down to its target measurements.

If lifestyle changes is all it takes to lower it, then start reducing salt from your foods. Salt is one of the triggers to this problems; it causes your body to retain water, which in turn causes BP to go up.

If you find you’re having a hard time lowering your salt intake then try suing sea salt, you’ll find it’s a lot saltier and you wont need as much.

If you are over weight or not, talk to your doctor about suggestions on what physical activity you can do to help lower hypertension. My exercises are simple I cycle 5 days a week to work and back. I do 20 minutes each way and its not slow; I make sure I’m breathing heavy when I’m finished.

I weight train 2-3 times a week with my partner at home, nothing major, bench press, bicep curls, back and shoulder press. I do 4 sets of 30 reps stomach crunch, the plank for two minutes. Some stretching and then finish off with some Tai Chi breathing which is supposed to relax the blood vessels, which in turn helps the blood flow more freely.

Step five

Diet, again your doctor will be able to help, I wanted to know how to lower mine to acceptable levels. My doctor pointed me in the direction of 2 types, the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet. 

I took both ideas and came up with my own, which is mixed vegetables with very meal, chicken breasts, fish and egg whites and fruit.

I personally don’t have red meat, I cook with virgin olive oil and I take one tablespoon every day, (ARRRGH it tastes horrible). I have 50g dark chocolate every day, 3 mugs black tea a day no sugar (another ARRRGH because before I used to have white coffee with sugar).

My diet is nothing to shot about, but if I want to avoid the effects of the silent killer then sacrifices must be made. The sacrifices I’m making regarding pleasure foods are small compared to what damage this condition can do to me if I don’t focus on healthy habits.

Step six

If you’re a smoker and you suffer from this condition isn’t it about time you gave it up? I know what you’re thinking yeah sure its easy for a none smoker to say give up.

But if you have your sights set on how to bring your readings to safe levels then this is one of the big pleasures you have to give up.

Step seven

Alcohol is another pleasure in moderation is fine. But over zealous with the tipple and you’ll end up in the firing line of health related issues and one of them is raised blood pressure.

My alcohol intake is small, occasionally I might have a couple of cans of cheap larger, glass a wine or baileys when I go out or at Christmas.

Step eight

You have 2 options:

(1) You can follower all the advice your doctor has to give you and act upon it to keep this life threatening under control.

Or

(2) You can ignore all of it and live life the way you want. But if you take the second option and if you’re lucky you’ll be recovering in a hospital bed without any lasting damage caused by uncontrolled HBP.

But if you’re not, you’ll end up six foot under pushing daises and just a memory to your friends and family.

This health problem is called the “silent killer” for a reason don’t you forget that.

This article is for information purposes only, always consult your doctor regarding BP. Your health is your own responsibility and no one else’s.

Recommended Reading: Nurselly.com

White Coat Syndrome: Do You Know What it is?

White coat syndrome has nothing to do with being dragged of to the funny farm by people in white coats. Nope, it’s a term given to someone whose blood pressure rises every time they get near a hospital or doctor’s surgery.

When I was first diagnosed with having HBP all those years back my doctor put me on a 24-hour monitor twice once in 1999 and 2004 to make sure I wasn’t suffering from white coat hypertension.

The reason he did this was because of my jitteriness whenever I had to see him. He ruled it out, but kept an eye on my blood pressure.

At that time he didn’t put me on medication, as my blood pressure readings were borderline, plus I was exercising by riding my bike doing martial arts he didn’t think I needed it.

On medication since December 2010

I’ve only been on medication since December 2010 as I’ve been under a lot of stress brought on by redundancy in 2009, to add to matters I’m a lot older now. (About )

White coat HBP shows up in as much as 20% of patients, and it can be confusing. It is believed that this is a nervous problem. A visit to the doctor’s inspires fear that something terrible might be found out, medically.

This fear causes BP to rise, but it’s only going up temporarily to an abnormal level because you’re having a nervous reaction. Once this ingrained fear when seeing a doctor sets in there’s no way your BP is coming down.

But when you’re home and relaxed, you take your blood pressure with a home monitor, of course the readings show up lower. This can make it hard for your doctor to get an accurate reading of your true pressure even if they have the best stethoscope.

Here are some basic facts that you need to know about this condition so that you can figure out if you suffer from it or not:

  • If you keep going to your doctor regularly and keep getting a higher-than-home reading after your first few visits, you have the problem. You have been conditioned from your first visits to become upset about the visit.
  • It’s believed that the fact that your blood pressure temporarily goes up does not put you at super high risk for heart disease. But, the syndrome probably does put you at higher risk for developing heart disease than you would have without the fear of seeing your doctor.
  • Doctors know how to make accurate mental corrections for the syndrome. They will consider your home monitor the correct or closely correct reading.
  • If you don’t think your doctor has a good “bedside manner” you should change doctors. A more personable doctor could relax you and help reverse your conditioning, which will be better for your health and treatment.
  • Taking medicine for relaxation before visiting the doctor could interfere with your BP Medication or have negative side effects. Instead, you should find non-medical ways of relaxing more. Meditation or listening to relaxing music might help.

Sources Mentioned: https://www.nurselly.com/best-stethoscope-of-the-year/

High Diastolic Blood Pressure: What Does it Mean?

High diastolic blood pressure or diastolic hypertension just means a blood pressure measurement of 90 and above when the heart is in relaxing mode for just a quarter of a second.

There are two numbers to blood pressure readings one is the systolic blood pressure when the heart is on a banging beat pushing blood around the body and the second is the diastolic, which this article is about.

Since I discovered I had hypertension all those years back (about) I have been gathering information on the silent killer from all sources and most from my doctor, so I can keep one-step a head of its deadly effects. I have even taken a break from using some of the best budget 3D printers that I was accustomed to in my art hobby as most of my time is now spent on researching HBP.

When I got more acquainted with my condition I asked my doctor what he was listening to when he took my blood pressure? He said he was listening to 2 sounds the heart makes when beating and when relaxed. Being ignorant I said I thought I had High BP?

He said yes you have, but it is broken up into two numbers in my case both were high the systolic some where between 160/180 top number, and the diastolic bottom one between 90/100.

He said the device he uses is called a sphygmomanometer, which he inflates around the arm, to a degree it feels like the blood vessels are about to burst.

After required inflation he slowly releases air until he picks up the distinct sounds between systolic and diastolic. As I mentioned above it’s always high up the blood pressure chart for me.

Diastolic number can change a lot during the day because of:

  • Level of exercise
  • Posture
  • Nicotine use
  • Amount of stress you are exposed to

To avoid high diastolic blood pressure take a closer look at your diet, overall health, family history of HBP, heart diseases and lifestyle. Understanding all these factors can go a long way in bringing blood pressure down to normal readings.

Pre-programmed route of blood around the body

As the blood vessels travel from the heart they gradually decrease in size and branch off to the liver, kidneys and lungs and so on. In normal diastolic pressure there is enough pressure to send blood to all parts of the body, which works out just fine.

But for someone suffering from diastolic hypertension it’s a bad thing as the small vessels that supply blood to the vital organs are affected the most by such high pressure of blood.

Elevated diastolic pressure can cause hardening arteries and eventually become less elastic and scarred and are prone to break a lot easier and get blocked.

As a person gets older the arteries go through this gradual deterioration process, but if diastolic hypertension is thrown into the mix, the process speed up at a greater rate.

Maintaining normal blood pressure is vital for someone wanting to reduce the risk of blood vessel and organ damage, stroke or heart attack. Here are some of the high blood pressure numbers to look out for in diastolic mode.

  • Someone with a diastolic blood pressure of 81 to 89 has a health condition known as pre-hypertension.
  • About 2% of patients with elevated blood pressure don’t seek help to reduce blood pressure until the symptoms are severe.
  • At this stage the disease is called malignant hypertension, diastolic blood pressure at 140 and above at times.

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The main symptoms are:

  • Nausea
  • Light-headedness
  • Frequent headaches

When it gets to this stage it is important to see your doctor, so he can assess your blood pressure readings. This article is for information purposes only; always consult your doctor regarding blood pressure issues.

Side Note: Learn More About 3D Printing Technology

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Not a lot? That’s exactly it; there are no high blood pressure symptoms until the effects of it hit you by deteriorating your organs, causing stroke or heart failure.

Did you know it is possible to go about your day-to-day life and miss the signs and symptoms of this particular problem?

In my case I did notice some dizziness that caused me to black out for just a fraction of a second and I mean a fraction.

I didn’t think much of it and went about my business and put it down to being over worked and not getting enough sleep.

Hypertension has no preference, young and old alike can be affected. This is why it is so important to keep an eye on blood pressure, as there are no tell tale symptoms in most cases.

So what is blood pressure?

BP is the force put on your arteries as blood passes through them carrying life giving nutrients to all your vital organs. Each time you go to the doctor even for routine checkups they slide a cuff over the upper part of your arm, the doctor then inflates it giving your arm quite a squeeze.

This device is checking the pressure your blood is putting on your arteries, raised blood pressure numbers can indicate various problems including:

  • Kidney disease
  • Alcohol or tobacco use
  • Thyroid problems
  • Too much salt in the diet

The silent killer seldom rears its ugly head till its too late.

OK so there are no out of the blue signs to indicate someone suffers from HBP. Surly over time there must be some warning signs the silent killer is about to put some serious hurt on a person’s body?

Yes there are in some rare cases some have said they’ve had busts of headaches or dizziness now and again, but as a rule, it is only discovered after the damage has been done.

Some may be surprised to learn they have raised BP, and again only when it has done its worst. Of course, regular monitoring and check ups with your family doctor can catch it early so something can be done about it. I was lucky my company doctor caught mine in time many years a go.

Complications

So, what can happen if you leave this condition untreated for prolonged periods? You may begin to experience various complications associated with High BP. These can include but are not limited to:

  • Stroke
  • Heart attack
  • Kidney failure
  • Vision problems or blindness
  • Aneurysms

The heart, brain, kidneys and legs are the most vulnerable when arteries narrow or blood flow becomes restricted. As you can imagine this makes monitoring your BP a very important item on your to do list.

Conclusion

In 95% of cases, the exact underlying causes of HBP will not be discovered. However, there is enough known about the problem to point at lifestyle choices as the main contributor.

Lack of exercise, smoking, drinking and being overweight can all contribute to increase in blood pressure readings. Though hypertension can be treated with meicines, the better solution is to prevent it in the first place.

This article about high blood pressure symptoms is for information purposes only please consult your doctor before trying anything new regarding issues

Malignant High Blood Pressure: How Serious is It?

Malignant high blood pressure is a serious condition that happens to only about one percent of the population.

Doctors diagnose the disease as such when the lower (diastolic) pressure number, which usually reads at about 80 mmHg, rises rapidly to 130 mmHg.

If you find yourself with a diastolic number this high you should contact your doctor immediately because you will need emergency services as part of your treatment. The issue with blood pressure of this nature is that it’s serious but difficult disease to diagnose at times because the symptoms can mimic other conditions.

Symptoms of malignant high blood pressure include blurry vision, seizures and changes in your mental state. Report any feelings of anxiety or confusion because they can lead to a possible diagnosis of extreme hypertension. Other symptoms to watch out for include numbness, chest pain, sleepiness and weakness of your limbs.

Nausea and vomiting also indicate that you’re having a problem with this kind of blood pressure. Contact your doctor if any of these symptoms are present because swift medical attention reduces your chance of experiencing major complications.

The people at a higher risk of developing this condition

People who have a higher risk when it comes to this disease include those with Collagen vascular disorders, kidney problems and Toxemia of pregnancy. In some cases, younger patients are more at risk for developing malignant hypertension.

People of African-American decent have a higher likelihood of getting the disorder, as does anyone who has experienced kidney failure or renal artery stenosis.

Renal artery stenosis causes the narrowing of the arteries in your kidneys. Pregnant women who develop gestational hypertension sometimes fall victim to this blood pressure disease.

Patients who develop malignant hypertension will most certainly be sent to hospital sometimes to the intensive care unit. The goal of any doctor treating you is to lower your blood pressure to normal levels as soon as possible.

Nurses will hook patients up to an IV where they will receive medicines to treat and bring down their patient’s blood pressure. Fast treatment greatly increases your chance that the condition will cause little if any permanent damage. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek emergency treatment as soon as symptoms start to appear.

Tests to determine if someone has malignant hypertension

Tests that emergency room doctors do to reach a diagnosis of malignant hypertension include physical examinations, eye exam, blood tests, urine tests and a chest x-ray.

A physical exam checks for high blood pressure, swelling of the lower legs or feet, heart sounds and detects any fluid in the lungs.

Doctors look for any swelling related to the optic nerve, possible bleeding of the retina and the narrowing of blood vessels in the eye area.

Blood and urine tests tell a doctor if you experience any problems related to your kidneys as hypertension can cause damage to these areas.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to this disease is to seek immediate care by calling your doctor or emergency services because the longer you wait, more problems can occur as a result of it. This article is for information purposes only always consult your doctor regarding blood pressure issues.

Marijuana and High Blood Pressure (Like Oil and Water)

Marijuana and high blood pressure do not mix like the proverbial oil-and-water combo. Yet many individuals risk their good health for the infamous five-fingered leaf and the psychedelic highs that it provides for users.

This is not to say that marijuana does not have its merits – it is used as a legal prescription drug in many jurisdictions in the United States including treatment for nausea and vomiting, insomnia, lack of appetite and premenstrual syndrome – but it is best to steer clear of it for obvious reasons.

It should be noted that non-prescription use of marijuana is a punishable offense under federal law. What exactly is the relationship between the two? The findings in several scientific studies have been mixed.

On one hand, marijuana can increase BP levels almost immediately after inhalation, putting you at risk from the first trip. For this reason individuals are well advised to stay away from this psychedelic inducing drug since it can worsen your condition or kick start it.

On the other hand, there are also studies that point to one of the long-term effects of marijuana usage – hypotension, a condition characterized by abnormally low blood pressure levels.

Hypotension has its own share of symptoms like dizziness, which increases the risk for falls, and damage to the organs (i.e., heart, brain and lungs) because of insufficient supply of oxygen.

The bottom line: Don’t mess with this drug unless it is absolutely necessary and only when prescribed by your doctor. HBP levels in the short-term and low blood pressure readings in the long-term are undesirable; try to stick to a normal level of below 120/80 for a healthy mind and body.

The relationship between this drug and High BP can also be described in terms of the signs and symptoms of marijuana use.

  • Elevated heart and pulse rates by as much as 50% are experienced almost immediately after inhalation of the smoke from sensory stimulating drug.

___________________________
If you already suffer from the condition or you are at risk, your symptoms will be worsened with cannabis use. You are putting your life at stake for the sake of getting a few hours of psychedelic high, which is irrational when you come to think of it.
_________________________

  • Irregular sleep habits and sleep disorders like insomnia are the long-term effects of cannabis use. Keep in mind that one of the most important lifestyle habits in managing hypertension is to get sufficient rest and sleep, which will aid in stress management.

____________________________
When you use marijuana on a regular basis, you can say goodbye to restful sleep and normal blood pressure.
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  • Increased amounts of toxic carbon monoxide in the blood, which means lower amount of oxygen being fed into your heart, blood vessels and other internal organs. Your bloodshot eyes caused by changes in your blood vessels are trivial compared to this effect.

_____________________________

  • Chest pains, which are also a symptom of hypertension, have been credited to the use of marijuana. You are taking unnecessarily high risks when you consume the illicit substance.

Let’s not forget regular use of this drug use can lead to several other health complications. You can suffer from memory problems; difficulty in performing tasks requiring concentration; impaired speech; and mood swings, among others.

So what do you do to stop the negative cycle between marijuana and high blood pressure? Stop using it, pure and simple!