Introduction

High blood pressure or hypertension refers to high pressure (tension) in the arteries. It does not mean overly excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can increase blood pressure temporarily. Hypertension normally has no symptoms, but it can create serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. It causes the heart to work a lot harder and can harm the arteries, causing them to narrow a lot faster. It can also damage other parts of the body and is a major health problem in North America affecting 33% of Americans, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Hypertension

Hypertension, most commonly referred to as \”high blood pressure\”, HTN or HPN, is a medical problem in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated and is considered to be present when a patient\’s systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or more, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is routinely 90 mmHg or more. It can be designated as either primary or secondary and is one of the most common complex disorders, with genetic implications averaging 30 percent.

Hypertension can be a short term or lifelong disease, depending on the reason and is dangerous because it causes the heart to work harder than normal. Pre-hypertension is high blood tension between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the pre-hypertension range. Should your blood tension be in the pre-hypertension range, it is more probable that you will end up with hypertension unless you take action to stop it. If you have this form of hypertension, you may not necessarily require medicine.

Heart

Some person\’s may not know they have HBP until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. When it is not diagnosed and treated, it can cause the heart to increase in size, which may cause heart failure. With HBP, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are larger. If you don\’t have hypertension by age fifty five, you have a 90 percent chance of developing it at some time in your life, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Unattended, it will cause the heart to eventually overwork itself to the point at which serious damage can happen. About 1/2 of people having first-time heart attacks and 2/3 of people having first-time strokes suffer from HBP.

Did you know, laughing heartily 100 times each day gives the same cardio results as working out for twenty minutes?

Treatment

Treatment is focused on reducing water retention and reducing HBP to normal limits. When you first begin treatment, your doctor may ask you to come to the office regularly. Your doctor will go over the information with you and decide if your treatment program is working or if you need to alter it. Among the 61% who are under treatment, only 35% have their blood tension sufficiently under controlled. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Conclusion

Hypertension is called the silent killer because it usually produces no symptoms and is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease and stroke. HBP does not occur evenly throughout the population and occurs disproportionately more often in minority communities. High blood pressure rates are also rising among US children, alongside an epidemic of obesity. Hypertension in adults will usually be measured on at least 2 different MD visits before a diagnosis can be made. It can be treated with both lifestyle modifications, usually as the 1st step, and, if necessary, with medications. Diuretics work in the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body. Nearly one third American adults have high blood pressure. Once It begins, it normally lasts a lifetime. Fortunately, it can be easily diagnosed, and once you know you have it, you can work with your MD to control it.

You have a few options for lowering your cholesterol. Your doctor will no doubt go through them with you if your blood test indicates that you have high cholesterol. For instance, there are medications that your doctor may prescribe that are very effective in lowering cholesterol. However this is generally not the first option that will be suggested.

Many people are encouraged to take a more active approach to lowering their cholesterol. In the long run it is better for the body to naturally lower it’s cholesterol than rely on medicine to do the job. Taking a more active role in solving the problem requires improving your diet and getting the right amount of exercise. This is obviously a bit more work than slugging back a pill each day but it can also have other benefits to the body and general health that make it a worthwhile approach to follow.

Focus on obtaining information on cholesterol and the methods of naturally lowering cholesterol in your bloodstream. There are a number of good cookbooks available in bookstores which will provide details of foods that will help reduce cholesterol. Eating these types of foods is the natural way to bring down cholesterol and perhaps the most effective way to improve your health. These types of cookbooks will have many recipes of delicious foods that you will like and thus keep you on the track to better heart health.

You will be pleasantly surprised by the side effect of learning to prepare and enjoy heart healthy foods for naturally lowering cholesterol. You will no longer feel bloated or overstuffed from eating too much after a meal. Eating a healthy diet leaves you feeling healthy and satisfied after a meal. After you have changed your eating habits, you may occasionally be in a situation where you will eat some heavy, high cholesterol food. You will be surprised to find that you no longer like it!

Finding ways for naturally lowering cholesterol can be a family adventure. Even though you may find favorite foods on the “no-no” list, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go completely without them. Substitution is the key. Use light cream instead of heavy cream, skinless ground chicken instead of beef. All these little changes can make a big difference when you are preparing the foods your family loves.

Dieting is a wonderful method to use for naturally lowering cholesterol, but exercising just as important too. You don’t have to work out like a professional runner in a cross country race. Just include some basic exercise in your life everyday such as something easy like taking a stroll. Any kind of exercise can benefit you if you did not exercise before, but remember to check with your doctor first. Gradually build up the amount or intensity over time.

Once you start naturally lowering cholesterol, your appearance will improve and you’ll feel better if you incorporate a regimen of good exercise into your day to day life. Soon, you’ll be amazed at how you ever managed to cope without it and be champing at the bit to get that exercise fix. Exercise is fun and relaxing, and you should look for and choose a plan which includes activities that are appealing to you. Exercise can also reduce stress that is thought to contribute to many health problems.

Naturally lowering cholesterol involves taking control of your health on your own by ensuring that your body is provided with the best nourishment. It also means toning up your body to its full potential. Healthy diet and exercise benefits are not limited to just bringing down your cholesterol levels. You will also get an overall sense of well-being and you will feel less tired.