Starting The Dash Diet
The DASH diet calls for a certain number of servings daily from various food groups. The number of servings you require may vary, depending on how many calories you need per day.
You can make gradual changes. For instance, start by limiting yourself to 2,400 milligrams of sodium per day . Then, once your body has adjusted to the diet, cut back to 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day . These amounts include all sodium eaten, including sodium in food products as well as in what you cook with or add at the table.
Dash Diet Tips
- Add a serving of vegetables at lunch and at dinner.
- Add a serving of fruit to your meals or as a snack. Canned and dried fruits are easy to use, but check that they don’t have added sugar.
- Use only half your typical serving of butter, margarine, or salad dressing, and use low-fat or fat-free condiments.
- Drink low-fat or skim dairy products any time you would normally use full-fat or cream.
- Limit meat to 6 ounces a day. Make some meals vegetarian.
- Add more vegetables and dry beans to your diet.
- Instead of snacking on chips or sweets, eat unsalted pretzels or nuts, raisins, low-fat and fat-free yogurt, frozen yogurt, unsalted plain popcorn with no butter, and raw vegetables.
- Read food labels to choose products that are lower in sodium.
How Do I Know If I Have High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure usually doesnt cause symptoms. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure taken. Know your numbers so you can make the changes that help prevent or limit damage.
Your blood pressure reading has two numbers. The top number is the systolic, which measures the pressure on the blood vessel walls when your heart beats. The bottom number is the diastolic, which measures the pressure on your blood vessels between beats when the heart is at rest.
For example, a reading of 110/70 is within normal range for blood pressure 126/72 is an elevated blood pressure a reading of 135/85 is stage 1 hypertension, and so on .
| Category | |
|---|---|
| Hypertensive Crisis | 180/120 mmHg or higher |
Symptoms Of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Early signs of idiopathic intracranial hypertension can include trouble with your vision, such as periodic episodes of blindness, blind spots, trouble with your peripheral vision, and double vision. Other common idiopathic intracranial hypertension symptoms include:
- Ringing in your ears, or tinnitus
- Headaches
- Pain in your shoulders or neck
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The Blood Pressure Chart
Once you know your numbers, you can use the blood pressure chart to see what they mean and if your blood pressure is in the healthy range. The chart is suitable for adults of any age, as the cut-off point for diagnosing high blood pressure doesnt change with age.
How to use the blood pressure chart
Simply find your top number on the left side of the chart and your bottom number on the bottom. Where the two lines meet is your blood pressure.
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Can Exercise Help Lower High Blood Pressure
Exercise and physical activity help lower blood pressure by helping you lose weight and keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition.
Weight loss achieved through diet and exercise helps control factors such as blood sugar, and other complications of obesity. Avoiding these complications helps lower blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure.
Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Cardiovascular activities including walking, jogging, biking, or swimming for 30 to 45 minutes per day can help lower blood pressure.
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What To Do If You Have Hypertension Stage Three
The first and most important treatment measure is monitoring. Your physician will likely instruct you to take your blood pressure in both arms multiple times per day to log your measurements following a stage three hypertension reading. These readings need to be consistent and accurate to evaluate your safety and the effectiveness of other treatment decisions.
While lifestyle changes are a proactive measure and/or treatment focus for the early stages of hypertension, particularly when cardiovascular disease isnt a risk factor, lifestyle changes alone will not be sufficient treatment for stage two and stage three hypertension. Medication will usually be necessary.
In a hypertensive emergency, you will likely be given multiple anti-hypertensive medications at the hospital to immediately lower your blood pressure. Otherwise, your doctor will likely order a series of tests to help identify the cause and damage of stage three hypertension, including an EKG, kidney function labs, chest X-rays, and so forth, and refer you to an ophthalmologist for a full exam of your eyes. Combined with a health history to factor in existing diseases, such as diabetes, your doctor will use the collected information to decide on a prescription medication type and dose. Potential medications include:
- Thiazide diuretics
- Beta blockers
- Vasodilators
Is A Blood Pressure Of 138/101 Good Or Bad
You may be wondering if a blood pressure of 138/101 is considered good or bad or if it’s too high, too low, or normal.
According to the American Heart Association, a blood pressure reading of 138/101 would be consideredstage 2 high blood pressure . Stage 2 high blood pressure is defined by a systolic reading between 140-179 or a diastolic reading between 90-119.
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Million Americans Have High Blood Pressure Under New Guidelines
Everyone, even people with normal blood pressure, should watch their diet and exercise to keep blood pressure from going up, the new guidelines stress. And smoking is a major blood pressure risk.
Blood pressure of 120/80 or above is considered elevated 130/80 to 139/89 is now considered Stage 1 hypertension and anything 140/90 or above will be considered stage 2 hypertension. If blood pressure reaches 180/120 or higher and either number in the blood pressure reading counts people will be classified as in hypertensive crisis with need for immediate treatment or hospitalization.
Previously, people were not considered to have high blood pressure until the top reading hit 140. Normal hasnt changed. We are still saying that it is great and it is normal to have a systolic blood pressure reading below 120 and a diastolic reading under 80, Whelton said.
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Rather than one in three U.S. adults having high blood pressure with the previous definition, the new guidelines will result in nearly half of the U.S. adult population having high blood pressure, or hypertension, the groups said in a joint statement.
Instead of recommending drug treatment right away, the organizations recommend that people with stage 1 hypertension try lifestyle changes first: exercising more, eating less salt, and eating more fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
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What Is Considered A Good Blood Pressure
Generally, anything under 120/80 is considered a good blood pressure. Average numbers between 120/80 and 139/89 are considered prehypertension.. If the average of your numbers is more than 140/90, you have high blood pressure. One reading of more than 140/90 doesnt necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure.
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Normal Vs Abnormal Blood Pressure
According to the AHA, a normal blood pressure reading for adults is a top number below 120 combined with a bottom number under 80 noted as 120/80 millimeters of mercury.
However, physicians start to get concerned when the top number heads north. “Blood pressure is considered ‘mildly elevated’ if it’s between 120 and 129 over less than 80,” says Willie E. Lawrence, Jr., MD, chief of cardiology with Midwest Heart & Vascular Specialists, in Kansas City, Missouri. “We define blood pressure greater than 130 over 80 or more as high blood pressure, or hypertension,” he says. “Once it’s above 130, that’s certainly considered high.”
Specifically, the AHA characterizes a blood pressure of 130 to 139 over 80 to 89 as “Stage 1” high blood pressure. Even more risky is “Stage 2,” which is when a reading is between 140 and 180 over 90 to 120.
“Now, where we get particularly concerned is when the top number is found to be greater than 180,” Dr. Lawrence says. “In truth, there are plenty of people who run around living their life with 180 and feel nothing. They may be asymptomatic. They may have no idea that anything is wrong. But unfortunately for them, in many cases, their first indication that something is very wrong ends up being a heart attack, a stroke or congestive heart failure.”
Read more:Reasons for High Systolic Blood Pressure
Is 138 84 A Good Blood Pressure
Normal blood pressureblood pressureblood pressure138
. Likewise, people ask, is 138 over 80 a good blood pressure reading?
100 Million Americans Have High Blood Pressure Under New Guidelines. And smoking is a major blood pressure risk. Blood pressure of 120/80 or above is considered elevated 130/80 to 139/89 is now considered Stage 1 hypertension and anything 140/90 or above will be considered stage 2 hypertension.
Likewise, is 138 considered high blood pressure? A normal systolic pressure is below 120. A reading of 120-129 is elevated. 130-139 is stage 1 high blood pressure . 140 or more is stage 2 hypertension.
Also to know is, is 138 85 A good blood pressure?
Any reading in the range 90/60 to 140/90 would be considered good in most people. However, a blood pressure level of 135 over 85 may be “normal“, but someone with this reading is twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as someone with a reading of 115 over 75 .
What is normal blood pressure by age?
The American College of Cardiology still recommends getting blood pressure below 140/90 in people up to 80 years old, and the American Heart Association says blood pressure should be under 140/90 until about age 75, at which point, Dr.
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What Are The Dangers Of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as the silent killer. This means it does not have any symptoms and can go untreated for a long time, which can lead to many major health risks. If left untreated, a blood pressure of 180/120 or higher results in an 80% chance of death within one year, with an average survival rate of ten months. Prolonged, untreated high blood pressure can also lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease.
Diagnosing High Or Low Blood Pressure
Only one of your numbers needs to be higher than it should be to be diagnosed with high blood pressure, and only one needs to be lower than it should be to be diagnosed with low blood pressure.
So if your top number is over 140 or the bottom number is over 90, you may be diagnosed with , regardless of the other number. If your top number is under 90 or your bottom number is under 60, you may be diagnosed with . Use the to see where your numbers sit.
If your top number is consistently higher than 140mmHg, but the bottom number is healthy – this is known as Isolated Systolic Hypertension. If the bottom number is consistently higher than 90mmHg but the top number is healthy – this is known as Isolated Diastolic Hypertension.
Making sure your readings arent a one-off
A single high reading doesnt necessarily mean you have high blood pressure, as many things can affect your blood pressure throughout the day, such as the temperature, when you last ate, and if youre feeling stressed.
Your doctor or nurse will probably want to measure your blood pressure a number of times over a few weeks to make sure the reading wasnt just a one off and that your blood pressure stays high over time.
Read about how , getting a , the you might have if you have a high blood pressure reading, and .
Read more
Find out why systolic blood pressure is the most important when it comes to keeping an eye on your numbers.
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What Is The Difference
The major difference between the old and new guidelines is the elimination of the category of pre-hypertension. However, findings from research studies show that complications can exist when blood pressure is as low as 130-139 over 80-89.
The new guidelines change the categories. Those same readings that would have been pre-hypertension are now categorized as stage I hypertension. Doing so means earlier treatment, which can help prevent future increases in blood pressure and more serious complications associated with hypertension.
Symptoms Of Pulmonary Hypertension
Early signs of pulmonary arterial hypertension can be related to the trouble you have getting blood to your lungs to get oxygenated. You might experience shortness of breath and a fast heartbeat while doing activities that are otherwise routine, such as climbing stairs. You might also have chest pain, a reduced appetite, and pain in your chest or upper right portion of your abdomen.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension symptoms can develop into light-headedness and fainting. Your lips and skin might have a bluish tinge because of the lack of adequate oxygenation of your blood.
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Is 108/86 Good Blood Pressure Or High Blood Pressure
For 108/86 to be good, both numbers must fit into the normal category above. Otherwise, it will fall into other categories of High Blood Pressure. Systolic reading of 108 is in the Normal range. Diastolic reading of 86 is in the Prehypertension range. Therefore, 108/86 is not good blood pressure .
What Diet Helps Control High Blood Pressure
- Eat foods that are lower in fat, salt and calories, such as skim or 1% milk, fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grain rice, and pasta.
- Use flavorings, spices and herbs to make foods tasty without using salt. The optimal recommendation for salt in your diet is to have less than 1500 milligrams of sodium a day. Don’t forget that most restaurant foods and many processed and frozen foods contain high levels of salt. Use herbs and spices that do not contain salt in recipes to flavor your food do not add salt at the table.
- Avoid or cut down on butter and margarine, regular salad dressings, fatty meats, whole milk dairy products, fried foods, processed foods or fast foods, and salted snacks.
- Ask your provider if you should increase potassium in your diet Discuss the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet with your provider. The DASH diet emphasizes adding fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet while reducing the amount of sodium. Since it is rich in fruits and vegetables, which are naturally lower in sodium than many other foods, the DASH diet makes it easier to eat less salt and sodium.
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Why Is Your Blood Pressure Important
Your blood pressure is important because if it is too high, it affects the blood flow to your organs. Over the years, this increases your chances of developing heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, eye disease, erectile dysfunction and other conditions.
Very occasionally, people with very high blood pressure are at serious risk of problems and need urgent treatment in hospital to reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Current Australian guidelines recommend that if you have persistent raised blood pressure over 160/100 mmHg, but are at low risk of having a stroke or heart attack, you should talk to your doctor or specialist about taking medication to lower your blood pressure.
For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.
If youre over 18, you should have your blood pressure checked by your doctor at least every 2 years, or more often if advised.
Stress And The Risk For Hypertension
Stress is a risk factor for high blood pressure. Medical doctor Susan Biali explains the facts
Source: Best Health magazine, November/December 2014
One in five Canadians has hypertension, or high blood pressure, and many are unaware of it, according to Hypertension Canada. The condition occurs when the blood in your arteries pushes harder against the artery walls than it should. Over time, this pressure damages the walls and causes scarring that promotes the creation of fatty plaques these can build up and block blood flow.
Despite the fact that high blood pressure is so commonits the leading cause of stroke and a major contributor to heart diseasemost people know little about it. According to the Canadian Hypertension Education Program, 44 percent of Canadians cant identify what a normal or high reading is.
Heres what you should know about hypertension.
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Aim Low And Avoid Pre
A 43-year-old friend was recently told by her doctor that her BP of 138/88 was nothing to worry about. I nearly had a stroke when she told me that! The difference between this number and the official high BP watermark of 140/90 is so tiny that this person, in my books, has hypertension. The Heart and Stroke Foundation categorizes normal blood pressure as a systolic pressure of 120 to 129, and diastolic pressure of 80 to 84. High-normal is 130 to 139 over 85 to 89, and hypertension is 140/90 and up. Some experts consider any BP between 120/80 and 140/90 to be pre-hypertension, and I agree. Ideally we should all stay below 120/80. Anyone in the pre-hypertension range needs to take action to reduce their risk and stress.