How Can I Tell If I Have High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms.; In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it.; Thats why its called the silent killer.; In 90-95 percent of cases, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown.
A single elevated blood pressure reading doesnt mean you have high blood pressure, but its a sign that further observation is required.; The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.
Blood Pressure Following Exercise
A number of investigators have examined the effects of chronic exercise training on resting blood pressure in hypertensive populations . It is generally accepted that the mechanisms underlying the sustained decrease in blood pressure of hypertensive individuals after training are a decrease in the resting heart rate and a decrease in circulating catecholamines. This decrease in circulating catecholamines is directly related to a decrease in sympathetic nerve activity.
Studies examining the acute effects of exercise on blood pressure have noted the transient pressure undershoot, described above, but have normally been terminated when blood pressure has re-attained normal values. However, more recent studies examining blood pressure responses in the prolonged post exercise period have documented that an acute bout of exercise may transiently decrease resting blood pressure in the minutes or hours following exercise. Although there are no defined criteria for the magnitude of the pressure decrement or duration of the response, this transient reduction in blood pressure has been termed post exercise hypotension . Post stimulatory hypotension refers to the same phenomenon when it is elicited by simulating exercise by electrically stimulating muscles in certain animal models.
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Maintain A Healthy Weight
If you’re overweight or obese, a combination of regular exercise and a healthy diet can help you lose weight. Aim to get your BMI below 25.
If you’re struggling to lose weight, your GP or practice nurse can help you come up with a weight loss plan and recommend services in your area.
Read more about losing weight;and how your GP can help.
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Monitoring And Controlling Blood Pressure
Baroreceptors are specialized cells located within arteries that act as blood pressure sensors. Those in the large arteries of the neck and chest are particularly important. When baroreceptors detect a change in blood pressure, they trigger the body to react to maintain a steady blood pressure. Nerves carry signals from these sensors and the brain to
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The heart, which is signaled to change the rate and force of heartbeats . This change is one of the first, and it corrects low blood pressure quickly.
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The arterioles, which are signaled to constrict or dilate .
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The veins, which are signaled to constrict or dilate .
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The kidneys, which are signaled to change the amount of fluid excreted and to change the amount of hormones that they produce . This change takes a long time to produce results and thus is the slowest mechanism for how the body controls blood pressure.
Nonetheless, the ways that the body can monitor and control blood pressure have limitations. For example, if a person loses a lot of blood quickly, the body cannot compensate quickly enough, blood pressure falls, and organs may begin to malfunction .
In addition, as people age, the body responds to changes in blood pressure more slowly.
Medication For High Blood Pressure
Lifestyle changes often arent enough on their own. Your doctor may prescribe one or more medications to lower your blood pressure. I often have patients who ask me,;Why cant I just take one pill for my high blood pressure?;Some people safely can, but many cant.
Heres the rule of thumb about blood pressure medication:
- About half of all patients with high blood pressure will need two medications to control it
- About one-third will need three medications
- About one-fourth will need four medications
Think of your arteries as plumbing pipes and the medications as tools to support those pipes. If your body has narrowed your arteries to protect you from high blood pressure, its like water is flowing inside pipes that are too small. You could reduce the pressure by making the pipe bigger which we do, by using drugs called vasodilators. Vasodilators widen your blood vessels, allowing more blood to pump through them.
But often, the kidneys get used to the higher blood pressure and they save up fluid until there is enough to fill the pipe again raising the blood pressure back to the high level. If thats the case, well use a different medication to attack high blood pressure from that angle.
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Ways To Prevent Hypertensive Heart Diseases
As stated, there are many other complications that can occur as a direct result of high blood pressure. The most important thing that you can do now is make changes to your everyday life that will help prevent or improve the progression of high blood pressure. This includes monitoring your weight, reducing salt in your diet, exercising, keeping blood pressure is the normal range and seeing your doctor routinely to monitor your blood pressure.
Thickening And Enlargement Of The Heart
High blood pressure makes it difficult for your heart to pump blood. Like other muscles in your body, regular hard work causes your heart muscles to thicken and grow. This alters the way the heart functions. These changes usually happen in the main pumping chamber of the heart, the left ventricle. The condition is known as left ventricular hypertrophy .
CHD can cause LVH and vice versa. When you have CHD, your heart must work harder. If LVH enlarges your heart, it can compress the coronary arteries.
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What Does It Mean To Have High Blood Pressure
High;blood pressure;is when;your blood pressure is;permanently;higher than normal.;High blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for heart disease, especially heart attacks and strokes.;
Its possible to have high blood pressure without knowing, so its important to keep an eye on it by getting your heart health checked regularly by a health professional.;;
If you do have high blood pressure,;you can help manage it with some simple changes to your lifestyle,;such as eating a heart healthy diet and exercising more. Your doctor might also;recommend some medications to keep it under control.;
Whats The Best Blood Pressure Number For Me
While a range of blood pressure numbers are considered normal, each persons health is unique.
We know as cardiologists that a variety of factors can contribute to a variance in blood pressure numbers. What may be considered normal or in a good range for one person may be high or elevated for another, said Joseph A. Lash, M.D., cardiologist with Norton Heart Specialists and medical director for Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. One thing is for certain: We want to see everyones blood pressure below 140/90.; Anything over this figure, regardless of the reason, needs to be evaluated by a physician.
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What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure And Kidney Disease
Most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms. In rare cases, high blood pressure can cause headaches.
Early CKD also may not have symptoms. As kidney disease gets worse, some people may have swelling, called edema. Edema happens when the kidneys cannot get rid of extra fluid and salt. Edema can occur in the legs, feet, ankles, orless oftenin the hands or face.
Symptoms of advanced kidney disease can include
- loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
- drowsiness, feeling tired, or sleep problems
- headaches or trouble concentrating
- chest pain or shortness of breath
What To Expect At The Doctors
Your doctor may use a variety of diagnostic tools to help diagnose your condition, including:
- Electrocardiogram. Also referred to as an ECG or EKG, this diagnostic tool uses small electrodes to record the electrical activity of your heart. Your doctor can use the information collected to determine if heart abnormalities are contributing to your condition.
- Imaging tests. Imaging can be used to assess if there are any structural abnormalities in your heart that may be contributing to your condition. Possible imaging tests can include echocardiogram, CT scan, and MRI scan.
- Laboratory tests. Your doctor may order blood tests to determine if your condition is caused by something such as an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid disease.
Once a diagnosis is made, your doctor will work with you to develop a plan to treat and manage your condition.
Depending on the findings from the diagnostic tests, your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist. A cardiologist specializes in treating and preventing diseases of the heart and circulatory system.
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Whos At Risk For High Blood Pressure
As we age, our risk for high blood pressure increases. More than 76 percent of men age 75 and older have it, and;nearly 80 percent of women have high blood pressure by the time they reach age 75. It has been said that hypertension is a disease that everyone will get if they live long enough!
In addition to age, factors that can increase your risk for hypertension include:
- Using tobacco
What Lifestyle Changes Can I Make To Lower My Blood Pressure
Your provider may want you to make more lifestyle changes if you are having trouble controlling your blood pressure. This may feel difficult over time, especially if you think you are making good changes but your pressure is still high. It might help to focus on one new change at a time. For example, try to add 1 more day of exercise, or exercise for an extra 10 minutes on 2 days. Small changes can make a big difference. Your healthcare provider can also refer you to specialists such as a dietitian who can help you make small changes. Your family members may be included in helping you learn to create lifestyle changes, such as the following:
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Will High Blood Pressure Effect My Chances Of Getting Pregnant
Women who improve their heart health before pregnancy can reduce their medical risks later. This proactive approach can lower the likelihood of pregnancy complications. If youre considering becoming pregnant, talk to your health care team about healthy changes you can make to help both you and your baby be healthier.
Doctors and researchers have found a link between birth control pills and an increase in blood pressure among some women. They say that it is more likely to occur in women who are overweight, have kidney disease or have a family history of high blood pressure.
Learn more about pregnancy and maternal health, including information on being healthy before, during and after a pregnancy.
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.
How Is Hypertensive Heart Disease Treated
In order to treat hypertensive heart disease, your doctor has to treat the high blood pressure that is causing it. They will treat it with a variety of drugs, including diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, and vasodilators.
In addition, your doctor may advise you to make changes to your lifestyle, including:
- Diet: If heart failure is present, you should lower your daily intake of sodium to 1,500 mg or 2 g or less per day, eat foods high in fiber and potassium, limit total daily calories to lose weight if necessary, and limit intake of foods that contain refined sugar, trans fats, and cholesterol.
- Monitoring your weight: This involves daily recording of weight, increasing your activity level , resting between activities more often, and planning your activities.
- Avoiding tobacco products and alcohol
- Regular medical checkups: During follow-up visits, your doctor will make sure you are staying healthy and that your heart disease is not getting worse.
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Your Brain On High Blood Pressure
Your brain is not equipped to handle high blood pressure, so your body tries to protect the brain by shielding it. Your blood vessels will constrict, or narrow, to prevent the brain from the increased pressure the rest of your body is dealing with. This a dangerous situation for the brain on a long-term basis.
Thats one of the challenges we face in treating high blood pressure: the bodys attempt to adapt. The body tries to adjust as your blood pressure increases over time, but its only somewhat effective at doing so.
High blood pressure constantly damages your arteries, which arent designed to withstand pressure above the 120/80 range for long periods of time. Under higher pressure, theyre continually forced to try to heal from the damage. This constant damage/healing cycle can promote;atherosclerosis, a buildup of substances in your arteries that can reduce or block blood flow and lead to stroke or heart attack.
What Can I Do To Manage Chronic Hypertension
- Check your blood pressure at home. Avoid smoking, caffeine, and exercise at least 30 minutes before checking your blood pressure. Sit and rest for 5 minutes before you take your blood pressure. Extend your arm and support it on a flat surface. Your arm should be at the same level as your heart. Follow the directions that came with your blood pressure monitor. Check your blood pressure 2 times, 1 minute apart, before you take your medicine in the morning. Also check your blood pressure before your evening meal. Keep a record of your readings and bring it to your follow-up visits. Ask your healthcare provider what your blood pressure should be.
- Manage any other health conditions you have. Health conditions such as diabetes can increase your risk for hypertension. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and take all your medicines as directed. Talk to your healthcare provider about any new health conditions you have recently developed.
- Ask about all medicines. Certain medicines can increase your blood pressure. Examples include oral birth control pills, decongestants, herbal supplements, and NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen. Your healthcare provider can tell you which medicines are safe for you to take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
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Low Blood Pressure & High Heart Rate Symptoms Causes & Treatment
The human heart is the most active organ in your body. Apart from it, all the other vital parts of your body get some time to rest and regain their strength, while the heart is always working and pumping blood to all the parts of your body. Even when you are sleeping, your heart is working to ensure blood supply to your body.
Blood pressure and heart rates are directly related. When you are suffering from low blood pressure, heart muscles have to work more to send blood to your body and thus the heart rate increases. The measure of blood pressure is alarming when it gets below 90 millimeters of mercury and 60 millimeters of mercury . Heart rate denotes the number of times your heart beats in one minute. For a normal healthy adult, safe range of heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats in one minute. Any variations from this normal range can be dangerous for your health as it can also become a reason behind heart attack.
In this article, we will analyze the major reasons behind low blood pressure and high heart rate. Further, we will also suggest some treatments for this problem.
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Does Eating Raise Your Blood Pressure
Some people wonder if eating raises your blood pressure. The act of chewing induces the body to secrete certain hormones. As a result, blood rushes to the digestive system. The digestion system consists of the stomach, small intestines, and large intestines. All of those organs have to get more blood, which ultimately will increase your blood pressure. So yes, eating will raise your blood pressure temporarily.
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Understanding How Blood Pressure Works
Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the artery walls. It is measured in millimeters of mercury by a gauge attached to a blood pressure cuff.
An optimal blood pressure reading is below 120/80 mmHg. That means that each time the heart contracts, blood is ejected with a force of 120 mmHg. When the heart relaxes in order to refill, this force drops to 80 mmHg.
If your blood pressure is chronically higher than 120/80 mmHg, it means the resistance is greater, and your heart has to work harder to push blood through your body. At this point, your doctor may recommend you try certain lifestyle changes to bring it down. These can include losing weight, exercising and cutting down on salt consumption.
If your blood pressure reaches 130/80 mmHg, you are said to have hypertension. Your risk of a cardiovascular event begins to increase exponentially. It may be necessary for you to take one or more medications to bring your pressure down.
Even if you have no symptoms, you should take these medications faithfully.
Hypertension And Coronary Heart Disease
Hypertension is the most prevalent treatable cardiovascular disease affecting approximately one in four adults or 140 million USA residents. It affects men and women in all socioeconomic groups equally. If untreated, hypertension is a major cause of stroke, coronary heart disease and renal failure as well as other conditions. Easily diagnosed, and in most instances readily controlled, hypertension is often unsuspected or inadequately treated.
The causes of high blood pressure are a bit of a mystery. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, as many as 25% of adult Americans suffer from high blood pressure. Results of the Croatian national survey performed in 1997 in a sample of 5840 persons of both sexes, aged 18-65, showed about 28% adults to be hypertensive , with a significantly greater prevalence recorded in men than in women .
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