Research Is Revealing More About Sars
While kidney damage in COVID-19 is still not well understood, more data will reveal how this occurs. Sperati, who also conducts research on kidney disease, says the Johns Hopkins Division of Nephrology is exploring exactly how SARS-CoV-2 and the bodys response to it is affecting kidney health.
He says that patients with COVID-19-related kidney damage should follow up with their doctors to ensure kidney function is returning to normal. Lasting kidney damage might require dialysis or other therapies even after recovery from COVID-19.
Mostly, Sperati stresses the importance of adhering to guidelines around physical distancing and hand-washing, the basics of prevention. For everyone, especially people with underlying chronic disease, avoiding infection with COVID-19 for as long as you can is crucial, he says.
Right now, we dont have a treatment or vaccine for this disease. The longer a person can go without getting infected, the better chance they have of benefiting from a future therapy.
Coronavirus
How To Lower Blood Pressure: Exercise
Exercise is another lifestyle factor that can lower blood pressure. It’s recommended that adults get about 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise. This can include cardiovascular exercises such as walking, bicycling, gardening, or other aerobic exercise. Muscle-strengthening activities are recommended at least twice a week and stretching makes you more flexible and helps prevent injuries. Check with your doctor if you are currently inactive and want to start exercising. Make exercise fun by doing activities you enjoy or find an exercise buddy to join you!
Number 5 Vegetable Oils
Prolonged consumption of vegetable oils trigger chemicals that cause inflammation in your body. This can lead to hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and other chronic diseases.
Vegetable oils such as soybean, cottonseed, corn, safflower, grapeseed, and canola oil, are mostly composed of processed polyunsaturated fats.
During refining, these oils oxidize easily when exposed to heat or light and become rancid.
They have a lot of inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids, and very few anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, which is bad for you.
A 2019 study in OpenHeart showed that omega-6s increase blood pressure through their high amounts of linoleic acid.
In another 2011 study, rats who were fed palm and soybean oils experienced a noticeable increase in blood pressure.
If you buy processed foods, packaged baked goods, fast food, fried foods, frozen foods, and margarine, it is almost certain that vegetable oils were used to prepare these foods.
Or worse, it may use partially hydrogenated oil or vegetable shortening, also known as trans fats.
Trans fatty acids are notorious for their double whammy effect: they increase the levels of bad cholesterol and lower levels of the good cholesterol. They also increase inflammatory response and cause leaky gut.
To replace vegetable oils, cook with unrefined oils like macadamia oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil.
Next, this mineral gets most of the blame for high blood pressure.
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Blood Pressure Is Linked To Other Medical Issues
High blood pressure can be the first indication of a serious underlying condition. When a patient comes in with high blood pressure, doctors will check their urine and kidney function do an electrocardiogram to check the size of the heart and look for lung changes.
Stress on the blood vessels makes people with hypertension more prone to heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and aneurysms. Correspondingly, chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, sleep apnea and high cholesterol increase the risk for developing high blood pressure.
In some women, pregnancy can contribute to high blood pressure, leading to preeclampsia. Postpartum blood pressure typically goes back to normal levels within six weeks. However, some women who have high blood pressure during more than one pregnancy may be more likely to develop high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases as they age.
Some of these medical issues can also cause spikes in high blood pressure .
What Causes Hypertension In Children
There are two types of hypertension in children.
Primary hypertension is becoming increasingly common in children, but its still more likely to affect teens and adults. Its often due to lifestyle factors or genetics. Older and heavier children are
- thiazide diuretics
These drugs are considered safe for children.
Experts share that there is no consensus on the exact drug to start with when treating high blood pressure in children. Instead, doctors choose on a case-by-case basis. Your childs pediatrician will usually start with the lowest dose possible and increase it every 2 to 4 weeks as necessary.
Treatment for secondary hypertension may need other evaluations and treatment by specialists.
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What’s The Impact Of Having High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases such as:
- coronary heart disease – where the main arteries that supply your heart become clogged up with plaques
- strokes – a serious condition where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted
- heart attacks – a serious condition where the blood supply to part of your heart is blocked
Diabetes and kidney disease are also linked to high blood pressure complications.
What Should Your Blood Pressure Be
Ideally, we should all have a blood pressure reading between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
Most people in the UK have blood pressures higher than the ideal, but below the usual cut-off for diagnosing high blood pressure somewhere between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg. If youre in this range, you could develop high blood pressure in the future. Taking steps to will keep your risk of health problems down.
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High Blood Pressure Treatment
The best way to lower blood pressure begins with changes you can make to your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe medicine to lower your blood pressure. These are called antihypertensive medicines.
The goal of treatment is to reduce your blood pressure to normal levels. Your doctor may prescribe medicine thats easy to take and has few, if any, side effects. This treatment is highly successful. If your blood pressure can only be controlled with medicine, youll need to take the medicine for the rest of your life. It is common to need more than one medicine to help control your blood pressure. Dont stop taking the medicine without talking with your doctor. Otherwise, you may increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hypertension
Hypertension is generally a silent condition. Many people wont experience any symptoms. It may take years or even decades for the condition to reach levels severe enough that symptoms become obvious. Even then, these symptoms may be attributed to other issues.
of severe hypertension can include:
- flushing
According to the American Heart Association , contrary to popular thought, severe hypertension doesnt typically cause nosebleeds or headaches except when someone is in hypertensive crisis.
The best way to know if you have hypertension is to get regular blood pressure readings. Most doctors offices take a blood pressure reading at every appointment.
If you only have a yearly physical, talk with your doctor about your risks for hypertension and other readings you may need to help you watch your blood pressure.
For example, if you have a family history of heart disease or have risk factors for developing the condition, your doctor may recommend that you have your blood pressure checked twice a year. This helps you and your doctor stay on top of any possible issues before they become problematic.
There are two types of hypertension. Each type has a different cause.
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Whats The Impact Of Having High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases such as:
- coronary heart disease where the main arteries that supply your heart become clogged up with plaques
- strokes a serious condition where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted
- heart attacks a serious condition where the blood supply to part of your heart is blocked
Diabetes and kidney disease are also linked to high blood pressure complications.
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High Blood Pressure Chart
- congenital conditions, such as Cushings syndrome, acromegaly, or pheochromocytoma
Sometimes, there is no apparent cause. In this case, a doctor will diagnose primary hypertension.
Consuming a high fat diet, carrying excess weight, drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking tobacco, and the use of some medications also increase the risk.
Treatment will depend on several factors, including:
- how high the blood pressure is
- the risk of cardiovascular disease or a stroke
The doctor will recommend different treatments as blood pressure increases. For slightly high blood pressure, they may suggest making lifestyle changes and monitoring the blood pressure.
If blood pressure is high, they will recommend medication. The options may change over time, according to how severe the hypertension is and whether complications arise, such as kidney disease. Some people may need a combination of several different medications.
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Who Is At Risk For Developing High Blood Pressure
Primary hypertension is the most common cause of high blood pressure in adolescents and adults, but is less common in children. Many children with high blood pressure also have adult relatives with hypertension, indicating there may be a hereditary aspect to the disease. There is a higher incidence of high blood pressure in African-American children after the age of 12 and into adulthood. Increased rates of obesity have increased the risk of developing high blood pressure in children.
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Youre Not Getting Enough Exercise
Sitting too much or leading a sedentary lifestyle can mess with just about every aspect of your health, and your cardiovascular health is no exception. Being sedentary leads to elevated blood pressure, both indirectly and directly, says Dr. Beniaminovitz. Sedentary people tend to be overweight or obese, and, as mentioned above, weight is one of the main driving causes of high blood pressure.
Additionally, getting regular aerobic activity helps you maintain a healthy blood pressure by making blood vessels more compliant and less sensitive to hormonal influences, he explainsso a lack of such activity may accelerate arterial hardening, forcing the heart and blood vessels to work that much harder.
BP fix: Get your heart pumpin .
A research analysis of nearly 400 studies suggests that regular exercise could be as effective as commonly prescribed blood pressure drugs. In the pantheon of physical activity, aerobic exercising is the best for blood pressure, says Dr. Beniaminovitz. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week such as biking, brisk walking, swimming, a barre class, or even higher-speed varieties of yoga like vinyasa.
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Living With High Blood Pressure
Controlling your high blood pressure is a lifelong commitment. You will always need to monitor your weight, make healthy food choices, exercise, learn to cope with stress, avoid smoking, and limit your alcohol intake. If you need medicine to control your high blood pressure, you will likely need it all your life.
Additionally, you will need to get used to regular blood pressure checks. Your doctor may want you to come to the office regularly. Or you may be asked to check your blood pressure at home and keep track of your numbers for your doctor. Some pharmacies and retail clinics have blood pressure machines on site. You can buy your own, automated arm blood pressure cuff for use at home. Your doctor may want you to check your blood pressure several times a day. Another option is to use an ambulatory blood pressure monitor.
When To Call Your Doctor
The risks of both high and low blood pressure make monitoring your blood pressure at home essential to your overall health and well-being. Both Dr. Wong and Dr. Desai recommend calling your healthcare provider if your self-monitored blood pressure readings are greater than 180/120 mmHgeven if you have no other symptoms.
You should call 911 if these blood pressure readings are associated with symptoms of organ damage, such as headache, vision changes, weakness, numbness, chest pain or shortness of breath, says Dr. Wong.
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Managing Pain And Blood Pressure Without Medication
The following lifestyle changes may manage pain and blood pressure:
- Eat a healthy diet:Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and vegetable oils. Reduce sodium, sugar, saturated, and trans fats in your diet.
- Limit or avoid alcohol:Even just one or two drinks a day can increase blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol you can safely consume.
- Get daily exercise and physical activity:Regular daily exercise and physical activity can lower and control blood pressure levels. Ask your doctor what types of activities are right for you.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy weight may regulate blood pressure. Losing even just 3%5% of body weight can decrease blood pressure in people who are overweight or obese.
- Quit smoking: Smoking constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure.
- Manage stress: Manage mental and physical stress with meditation, exercise, and self-care.
- Get enough sleep: Get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night. Improve sleep habits by having a calming bedtime ritual, keeping a cool dark bedroom, and going to bed and getting up at regular times.
- Acupuncture:Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine practice in which tiny needles are strategically placed throughout your body. It may improve blood pressure. A small study found 15 sessions of acupuncture over the period of one month significantly improved blood pressure in people with hypertension.
How Can I Prevent My Child From Having Hypertension
You cant always prevent hypertension. Some cases are the result of underlying health issues or medication use. If your child has risk factors for health conditions that cause hypertension, be sure to speak with your doctor about monitoring your childs blood pressure to catch issues sooner rather than later.
In cases where high blood pressure is due to obesity, diet, or inactivity, the following lifestyle measures may help:
- Eat a balanced diet. The
age 3 . This can happen during their annual physical exam. Some doctors may take your childs blood pressure reading at each visit.
You may also speak with your pediatrician about checking your childs blood pressure more frequently if needed. You may want this if your child has an underlying health condition, is on certain medications, or has other risk factors.
If taking your childs blood pressure , its important to use the correct sized cuff. A poor-fitting cuff may skew the results.
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You Shouldn’t Ignore White Coat Hypertension
Some people experience white coat hypertension, when blood pressure is elevated in the doctor’s office but not in other settings. These patients need to monitor their blood pressure at home or wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitor that takes your blood pressure every 30 minutes for 24 hours.
While white coat hypertension was formerly considered simple nervousness, recent research suggests otherwise.
A study published in the journal Hypertension found that people with white coat hypertension are at a significantly greater risk for developing sustained high blood pressure than people who have normal blood pressure. One possible explanation is that people with white coat hypertension have a harder time managing stress and anxiety.
Home Remedies And Treatment
It has been shown that meditation and other relaxation techniques can help lower blood pressure. Yoga, tai chi, and breathing exercises can also help reduce blood pressure. It’s best when these are combined with changes in diet and exercise. Tell your doctor if you are taking any herbal remedies, since some of these preparations can actually raise blood pressure or interact with your blood pressure medications. The following are supplements that may lower blood pressure:
- Coenzyme Q10
- Amino acids
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Early Warning Sign: Elevated Blood Pressure
An elevated blood pressure reading means that your blood pressure falls just above the normal level, corresponding to a systolic pressure between 120 and 129 or a diastolic pressure of 80 or less. The new guidelines eliminate the previous category of prehypertension. About one-fourth of Americans have elevated levels and they have two times the risk of heart disease compared with those who have lower blood pressures. Lifestyle changes can help many people with prehypertension lower their blood pressure.
Causes
Factors that increase your blood pressure can cause elevated levels. Medications such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers, and some prescription drugs may cause a temporary rise in blood pressure. The buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries can also lead to prehypertension. Other conditions that may lead to prehypertension include the following:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Thyroid disease
Symptoms
There are usually no symptoms with elevated blood pressure. The only way to keep track of your blood pressure is to visit your doctor regularly and have your blood pressure checked.
Treatment
- Losing weight if overweight or obese
- Eating a healthy, low-salt diet
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
You Have Another Health Conditionor You Take One Of These Meds
If you do have high blood pressure, your doctor will likely take into consideration the range of other diseases and disorders that, when poorly managed, cause your blood pressure to become elevated. These include thyroid problems, renovascular disease, Cushings syndrome, and a number of others. The key to all these conditions is the correct diagnosis, says Dr. Beniaminovitz. When the proper diagnosis is made, working with your doctor to reverse and or treat these conditions often cures high blood pressure.
Additionally, a number of common medications can increase blood pressure such as antidepressants, decongestants, St. Johns Wort, oral contraceptives, NSAIDs, and prednisone.
BP fix: Document symptoms that seem unusual.
If your doc says your BP is high, bring up any strange symptoms that could indicate an underlying cause , and always provide them with a list of your current medications and supplements.
If your meds are the issue, ideally they would be discontinued or changed to ones that have no or less effect on blood pressure, says Dr. Beniaminovitz. If a change in medication is not possible, often your doctor will prescribe optimal lifestyle and blood pressure medication to combat the effects.
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