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The various degree of force on the artery walls as the blood circulates through the body is what is referred to by doctors as blood pressure. There are millions of Americans who have blood pressure that is too high or hypertension. High blood pressure damages the heart and blood vessels and can lead to a stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and other serious health problems. There is usually no identifiable cause for hypertension, which is why the majority of cases go unchecked in the early stages.
Blood pressure rises when the arterioles, the body’s smallest arteries, narrow requiring the heart to beat more forcefully in order to pump the blood through them. This in turn creates a higher blood volume which raises the blood pressure.
As humans get older it is normal for the blood pressure to rise slightly. But researchers do not fully understand what leads to hypertension, although there seem to be many factors involved. Hypertension tends to run in families, heredity is a possibility. People with diabetes, obesity and certain other disorders increase the risk of having hypertension. Stress is another culprit; it activates a surge in adrenal hormones, which leads to a temporary rise in blood pressure. A constant surge of adrenal hormones may lead into the development of hypertension. Many other contributors include smoking, excessive alcohol use, and a rough lifestyle. Early intervention with hypertension treatments can prolong life up to thirty years.
Researchers and scientist both agree that the diet plays an important role in both the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure. Studies show that about every one out of three people has a genetic tendency to retain sodium, which is the inability to retain salt. Restriction of salt beginning at an early age greatly reduces the risk of developing hypertension. Researchers have not decided how much salt is too much, but most agree that cutting back the intake of salt to about one teaspoon a day is very helpful in the prevention of hypertension.
Being just a few pounds overweight can promote hypertension. Beginning a healthy diet and exercising will allow you to lose those extra pounds and lower your blood pressure back to normal. Avoid crash diets, which do not work, and can actually activate a heart attack. A high fat diet not only leads to weight gain but may also increase the chance of high blood pressure. This means it is best to cut back on butter or margarine, switching from whole milk to skim milk, choosing lean meats instead of fatty meats are all ways to cut the fat intake.
Moderate alcohol consumption contributes to high blood pressure and also increases the chance of a stroke. Over the years researchers have stated that a glass of wine or other alcoholic drink daily seems to reduce the chance of a heart attack, but consuming more than this moderate amount seems to increase the risk of heart attack or stoke.
There are some foods that may protect against high blood pressure. Potassium is an electrolyte that helps maintain the body’s normal balance of salt and fluids, which helps maintain normal blood pressure. Different amounts of potassium are found in fruits and vegetables, lean meats, potatoes and whole grain foods. Do not take Potassium supplements without a doctor's prescription. Some studies have shown that calcium deficiency and hypertension are linked, you should include in your daily diet at least two to three servings of milk products. Some researchers even state that garlic may help lower blood pressure. But other studies show that the amount of garlic that you would have to intake can cause other problems, the simplest being bad breath and body odor.
A proper diet is essential in maintaining normal blood pressure but other changes should be made in your lifestyle as well. One of the most important issues is exercise, incorporating a daily aerobic exercise program as part of your daily exercise will lower blood pressure by keeping the heart in shape allowing the heart to work more efficiently. For some people a walking program works well, walking fifteen to twenty minutes for three to four times a week and then gradually working up to thirty to forty-five minutes at least every other day. Like always before beginning any exercise program check with your physician.
If you are a smoker it would be extremely beneficial for you to give it your best shot at quitting. The nicotine raises the blood pressure and has many other deadly effects. Quitting smoking could drop blood pressure by ten points or more. As always use caution with all medications, over-the-counter medications for cold, allergy, and diet pills can raise blood pressure. Stress definitely raises blood pressure on a temporary basis, but researchers are yet to determine if it has any long-term effect on hypertension. Experts do suggest using relaxing techniques such as meditation, yoga and other techniques to ease the stress that can cause the rise in blood pressure. Several studies have found that people with pets have lower blood pressure that people that do not own pets. These studies show that stroking animals produces a relaxing effect.
There are many drugs available for the treatment of hypertension, but many doctors recommend for mild to moderate hypertension, at least six months of lifestyle changes to see if the blood pressure returns to normal levels.
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