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What Is A Good Blood Pressure

Salt Intake And High Blood Pressure

What is Good Blood Pressure? | Gina Eubank

Reducing the amount of salt you eat;can also help to manage or even avoid high blood pressure. To help reduce your salt intake:;

  • Ensure your diet consists of wholefoods including vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, lean meat and poultry, fish and seafood, legumes, unsalted nuts and seeds.
  • Avoid packaged and processed foods that are high in salt. You cant see the salt in these foods, so you dont know how much salt you are having. Get into the habit of checking food labels.
  • Choose low-salt food where possible. If you cant find low-salt products, those with moderate amounts of salt are ok too. Another simple alternative is to look for labels with low salt, salt reduced or no added salt.
  • Avoid adding salt to cooking or at the table flavour meals with herbs and spices instead.

What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure

The only way you can know for sure if you have high blood pressure is by having a nurse or doctor measure it. Monitoring your blood pressure at home also helps keep your blood pressure in check. Most often, high blood pressure is “silent,” meaning it has no other signs to warn you, according to the CDC.

Reliability Of Blood Pressure Readings

If your reading places you in an unexpected group, note that blood pressure measurements can be affected by temporary factors. These include:

  • Recent exercise
  • Coffee drinking
  • Smoking
  • Heightened emotional state
  • Time of day

Because there are so many variables involved, you’ll need to have your blood pressure measured by a doctor several times before you’re officially diagnosed with high blood pressure. This blood pressure chart is not a substitute for a physician’s visit.

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Reduce And Manage Stress

The body releases chemicals and hormones that can narrow the blood vessels temporarily when we are under stress. Stress also gets our heart beating faster. Long-term stress is thought to increase the risk of getting heart problems, such as stroke and heart attacks. Taking time to relax and practice stress-reducing exercises can be very helpful.

Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure Chart and 5 keys to healthy Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is known as the silent killer because it typically has no symptoms. In fact, most people dont even realize they have hypertension until their blood pressure is monitored.

Symptoms dont develop until the numbers get very high and organs get damaged, often irreversibly, says Dr. Desai.

If you have severe hypertension, you might notice the below symptoms, some of which were reported by patients in a study in the British Journal of General PracticeGoodhart A. Hypertension from the patients perspective. British Journal of General Practice. 2016;66:570. :

  • Headaches
  • Rapid heart rate

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Cardiology : What Does Blood Pressure Really Mean

We have all had our blood pressure taken at a regular doctor visit; however most of us dont truly understand why those numbers are so important. Having high blood pressure is a big health concern, but what does it all really mean?

What is blood pressure?

In the most basic terms, when your heart beats, it pumps blood throughout your body, supplying it with the oxygen and energy it needs. As your blood moves, it pushes against the sides of your blood vessels. The strength of this pushing is what is known as blood pressure.

When you have your blood pressure reading it consists of two numbers, presented as one number over the other, like a fraction. The first or top number is your systolic blood pressure. This is the amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart muscle. The second or bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure. This is the lowest level your blood pressure reaches as your heart relaxes between beats. ;The numeric difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure is called your pulse pressure. For example, the pulse pressure reading for a person whose blood pressure is 120/80, would be 40. Along with blood pressure, pulse pressure can also provide insight into your heart health. In some cases a low pulse pressure may indicate poor heart function, while a higher pulse pressure may reflect leaky heart valves, often as a result of age-related losses in aortic elasticity.

What is a healthy blood pressure?

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Tip #: Moderate Salt Intake

You’ll find conflicting information about the relationship between salt intake and blood pressure. There is a consensus that excessive salt intake can cause blood pressure to increase. However, recent research gives us reason to believe that extremely low salt intake can also lead to serious health problems.Check labels of the foods you eat to see how much salt they contain so you can fit them into your daily allowance. Evidence suggests that a salt intake of between 3 and 5 grams per day is the ideal amount for most people.

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What Is A Normal Blood Pressure Reading

Do you know what your blood pressure reading should be?

Blood pressure is the force at which your heart pumps blood around the body and is recorded with 2 numbers.; The higher of the numbers is an indication of when the heart is pumping the lower number is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.;Its widely publicised that high and low;blood pressure can induce health problems, but what about healthy blood pressure?;

Taking Your Pulse Versus Checking Your Blood Pressure

What is a normal blood pressure reading?

While both are indications of health, blood pressure and heart rate are two separate measurements. Learn more about the difference between blood pressure and heart rate.

Systolic is less than 120 and my diastolic is less than 80

Great job! Your blood pressure is normal. To keep your readings in this range, stick with heart-healthy habits like following a balanced diet;and getting regular exercise.

Systolic is 120 129 and my diastolic is less than 80

The good news is that you dont have high blood pressure. However, your numbers fall within the Elevated category, making you more likely to develop high blood pressure unless you take action to control it. Ready to make some small changes that have big impacts? Healthy lifestyle;choices are a great place to start.

Systolic is 130 139 or my diastolic is 80 89

You are in the first stage of hypertension, but there are actions you can take to get your blood pressure under control. Your doctor will speak to you about small changes that can make a big difference and other BP Raisers. In addition, monitoring blood pressure outside of the doctors office is important for BP control.

Systolic is 140 or higher or my diastolic is 90 or higher

Systolic is higher than 180 and/or my diastolic is higher than 120

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.

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Checking Blood Pressure At Home

Keeping track of blood pressure at home is important for many people, especially if you have high blood pressure. This helps you and your doctor find out if your treatment is working.

Your doctor may also suggest that you check your pressure at home if they think you may have “white coat hypertension.” It’s a real condition. The stress of being in a doctor’s office raises your blood pressure, but when you’re home, it’s normal.

Ask your doctor to recommend an easy-to-use home blood pressure monitor. Make sure the cuff fits properly. If your arm is too big for the cuff, the reading may be higher than your blood pressure really is. Ask your doctor for a larger cuff or make sure you buy a home monitor with a cuff that fits you.

You also can use a wrist blood pressure monitor, but they often aren’t as accurate. Follow the directions that come with the device to make sure you are using it correctly.

No matter which type of blood pressure monitor you have, it’s a good idea to take it to your doctor’s office. You can compare its reading to the numbers your doctor gets. Avoid caffeine, cigarettes, and exercise for at least 30 minutes before the test.

When you take your blood pressure at home, sit up straight in a chair and put both feet on the floor. Ask your doctor or nurse to show you the right way to position your arm so you get accurate readings.

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Additional reporting to this story by Danielle Zoellner

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Regulation Of Blood Pressure

The endogenous, homeostatic regulation of arterial pressure is not completely understood, but the following mechanisms of regulating arterial pressure have been well-characterized:

These different mechanisms are not necessarily independent of each other, as indicated by the link between the RAS and aldosterone release. When blood pressure falls many physiological cascades commence in order to return the blood pressure to a more appropriate level.

  • The blood pressure fall is detected by a decrease in blood flow and thus a decrease in glomerular filtration rate .
  • Decrease in GFR is sensed as a decrease in Na+ levels by the macula densa.
  • The macula densa causes an increase in Na+ reabsorption, which causes water to follow in via osmosis and leads to an ultimate increase in plasma volume. Further, the macula densa releases adenosine which causes constriction of the afferent arterioles.
  • At the same time, the juxtaglomerular cells sense the decrease in blood pressure and release renin.
  • Renin converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I .
  • Angiotensin I flows in the bloodstream until it reaches the capillaries of the lungs where angiotensin converting enzyme acts on it to convert it into angiotensin II.
  • Angiotensin II is a vasoconstrictor that will increase blood flow to the heart and subsequently the preload, ultimately increasing the cardiac output.
  • Normal Blood Pressure For Men

    Are Canned Beets Good for High Blood Pressure

    Men are recommended to have an average normal blood pressure of 120/80; however, as;we have noted, there are varying factors to consider when determining what works for each person. What is normal for a man in his 30s is not deemed a normal reading for a man in his 60s.

    The following are the average blood pressures and the corresponding lows and highs for men from ages 15 to 64 years.

    Age

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    How Older Adults Can Maintain A Healthy Blood Pressure

    Maintaining a healthy blood pressure doesnt have to be complicated. Simple lifestyle changes can help:

    • Exercise. National guidelines recommend adults of all ages engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. If mobility or health conditions are a problem, older adults should try to be as physically active as possible.
    • Lose weight. If your loved one is overweight, every 2 pounds lost can help reduce blood pressure by 1 mm Hg.
    • Eat a heart-healthy diet low in salt. The DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy foods. It was designed specifically to help lower blood pressure. Try to limit sodium to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day.
    • Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol can raise your blood pressure. If your loved one chooses to drink alcoholic drinks, limit it to no more than one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
    • Dont smoke. Tobacco damages your artery walls. If your loved one smokes, ask their doctor how to help them quit.
    • Manage stress. Try simple relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation.

    In some cases, diet and lifestyle changes are not enough to lower blood pressure. Your loved one may be having a difficult time achieving significant changes in their lifestyle, or their hypertension may be too severe to treat with diet and exercise alone.

    When To Check Blood Pressure

    • If your blood pressure is normal , get it checked every year, or more often as your doctor suggests.
    • If your blood pressure is elevated — a systolic blood pressure between 120 and 129 or diastolic blood pressure of less than 80 — your doctor will probably want to check it every 3-6 months. They will probably recommend lifestyle changes like more exercise and a better diet.
    • If you have stage 1 hypertension — 130-139 over 89-90 — the doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and see you again in 3-6 months. Or they could tell you to make the changes and give you medication, then recheck your condition in a month. It depends on what other health conditions or risk factors you have.
    • If you have stage 2 hypertension — 140/90 or higher — youâll likely get medication. You’ll also need to make lifestyle changes and see the doctor again in a month.

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    What Are The Symptoms Of High Diastolic Blood Pressure

    High blood pressure is generally considered a silent disease as it is notorious for not producing many, if any, appreciable symptoms. This is the reason why most medical professionals consider having high blood pressure an asymptomatic disease, having no symptoms.

    However, secondary causes of high blood pressure may present with additional presentable symptoms in addition to increases in blood pressure. Hypothyroidism, for example, is characterized by an underactive thyroid gland leading to a decrease in the production of thyroid hormone, and can present with weight gain, intolerance to cold, and feelings of tiredness, in addition to elevations in diastolic blood pressure.

    Primary hypertension cases do not have any presenting symptom but instead can lead to long-term health consequences if not treated early in the course of the disease. This is why taking blood pressure measurement on a regular basis is vitally important, as it is the only reliable method for identifying the condition.

    It is also important to mention to having blood pressure reach very dangerous levels can lead to the presentation of symptoms that should prompt immediate medical intervention. These symptoms include:

    • Renin Inhibitors

    Where Can I Learn How To Take My Blood Pressure Myself

    What is normal blood pressure?

    In Germany and other countries, people with high blood pressure can attend patient education courses that teach a number of things, including how to measure your blood pressure. As part of specialized disease management programs for people who have narrow coronary arteries , statutory health insurers offer additional healthcare services. These include patient education about high blood pressure. Some doctors practices don’t offer these courses, though.

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    Investing In A Blood Pressure Machine For Your Home

    If you or family members face high blood pressure, or other heart issues, it would be a wise choice to invest in a home blood pressure machine. They are fairly economical and will help you monitor your blood pressure from the convenience of your home on a regular basis.

    Personally, I keep mine on my nightstand and I check my blood pressure at least three times a week. I try to check it at the same time of day and with the same arm. Your blood pressure readings will and can vary at different times of the day. If you were going to log your blood pressure readings I would recommend writing down the time of day and repeating that schedule on a regular basis.

    Suggestion: Avoid investing in a wrist monitor. A variety of organizations state a wrist monitor is not as accurate as an arm cuff monitor.

    Which Number Is Most Important

    Both. Having a high number in either systolic or diastolic pressure can lead to a diagnosis of hypertension . However, systolic pressure tends to get more attention because high systolic blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50, and it can indicate major cardiac events.

    Also note: Heart rate and blood pressure are not the same, and they can indicate different issues. The American Heart Association reports that blood pressure measures the force that blood moves through blood vessels, and heart rate measures the amount of times your heart beats per minute. Having a healthy heart rate does not necessarily mean your blood pressure is in a healthy range. Both measurements are important, but one does not replace the other.

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    Increasing Diet Quality For Women

    Most Americans get too much sodium and not enough potassium, and that can be a blood pressure-raising combination. Shifting the balance can help lower blood pressure by a few points. These choices can help you change the balance to get more potassium and less sodium.

    Good foods for women watching thei blood pressure:

    • Consume more beans, vegetables, fruit, fish, and yogurt.
    • Watch processed and prepared foods, such as canned foods, snack foods, processed meats, and frozen foods.
    • Limit prepared foods, such as fast food and deli salads.
    • Cut out salty foods, such as salty sauces and dressings, cheese, and pickles.
    • Vitamin C: in vegetables and fruit.
    • Vitamin D: in fortified milk and fatty fish.
    • Fiber: in vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, and fruit.
    • Calcium: in dairy products, dairy substitutes, and leafy greens.

    Sodium and potassium may be the nutrients you hear about most often for blood pressure, but other nutrients can also help keep your numbers in check.

    As you think about boosting good nutrients, you can also think about limiting the bad ones.

    Try eating:

    • Swap olive oil, avocados, and nut butters for butter, shortening, and lard.
    • Take fruit instead of baked goods or ice cream for a sweet treat.
    • Look for whole grain versions instead of opting for refined cereal and white bread, pasta, and rice.

    It is higher than the average diet in vegetables, fruit, and dairy products. It is lower than the average diet in added sugars, refined starches, and red meat.

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