Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the wall of the arteries. it is recorded as two numbers, for example, 120/80. The first number(which is known as the systolic blood pressure) indicates the pressure in the arteries as the heart squeezes out blood during each beat. The second number( which is known as diastolic blood pressure) indicates the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat.
Blood doesn’t circulate in an even stream around the body; rather, it travels in a constant series of spurts. Therefore, the pressure peaks in the blood vessels just after a heart beat and ebbs until the next one
There are no fixed figures that represent a normal blood pressure range. However, it is usually agreed that somewhere between 110/70 and 125/80 is an average blood pressure for a grown person, though someone with a naturally low pressure may be somewhere closer to a range of 100/60.
A blood pressure of 140/90 is considered to be high, But usually, as a person gets older, that becomes the regualar range. However, a blood pressure higher than 180/110 is considered dangerous as it can cause serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes and among others.
Blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day and hence different when checked at different times of the day. When blood pressure stays elevated over time, its called high blood pressure, This condition, High Blood Pressure, causes the heart to work higher than usual, putting a person at risk of heart attack, heart failure, strokes and other health complications. There are no symptoms to identify high blood pressure, therefore many people are unaware that they have this life threatening condition.
A healthy lifestyle is important to help prevent high blood pressure and its associated risks.
Here are some tips
HOW TO PREVENT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
- Achieve and Maintain A Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. In fact, your blood pressure rises as your body weight increases. Too much fat and cholesterol can cause a condition known as atherosclerosis. It narrows the lumen of the arteries , thereby increasing the pressure the heart requires to push blood through. You can maintain healthy fat and cholesterol levels by eating healthy and exercising.
- Use Salt Moderately
High sail content attracts water from around your body cells into your blood to dilute it. The more the fluid in your blood, the harder it is for the heart to pump blood, and the higher the blood pressure. To reduce salt intake, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, choose low salt bread and cereals; avoid too much seasoning, processed foods, and fast foods, which are normally high in salt.
- Eat A Wide Variety Of Healthy Foods
Too much calories and fatty foods put extra strain on the heart. Healthy eating is about choosing mainly plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits and legumes( dried peas, dried beans and lentils); grain-based foods(preferably whole grain) such as bread, cereals, pasta, noodles, and rice; moderate amounts of lean meats, poultry, fish, and reduced-fat dairy products.
- Be Active Everyday
Regular exercise improves heart function and lower your pressure and blood cholesterol. At least fifteen minutes of exercise a day is recommended. You can do home exercises or sign up with a gym instructor to take you through daily routine of exercises.
- Avoid Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol taxes the liver and reduces the ability to detoxify blood, thus causing more oxidizing and damaging substances to remain circulation where they can harm the blood vessels. For a normal blood pressure, alcohol shouldbe avoided entirely.
Dangers of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure which is also usually and commonly known as Hypertension, is one of the problems that occur when a healthy blood pressure is not maintained. This condition occurs when there is pressure of blood against the artery walls.
There are some narrow blood vessels called arteries, through which blood flows throughout the body. In the case of high blood pressure, these vessels become more narrow than normal and hence blood has to exert extra pressure to travel through them. This increased pressure when continued for a long time can cause life threatening cases like heart attack, stroke and other complications
High Blood Pressure as a medical condition has no signs and symptoms, and can stay with a person long enough with knowing and with time, it can cause huge damage to the heart, brain and other vital organs like the kidney.
High blood pressure can only be detected through regular blood pressure readings and diagnosed by a medical practitioner.
High Blood Pressure has no cure, your health professional will only put you on some medication to manage the situation and might also advise you on some healthy lifestyle and foods to be eaten.
According to research, this condition is common to almost half the American adult population and therefore if you are with this condition, you are not alone.