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Why Is My Bottom Number On Blood Pressure High

How Is High Blood Pressure Treated

High Blood pressure: Why we shouldnt worry about the number

Changing your lifestyle can help ease high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, be sure to talk with your doctor about taking these steps:

  • Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods. Get plenty of potassium. Cut your intake of saturated fat and total fat.
  • Cut the salt in your diet. Try to keep your salt intake to 1,500 milligrams a day. There’s already a lot of salt in many foods. Watch the salt content in processed foods, such as canned soups or frozen dinners.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. If youre overweight, losing even five pounds can lower your blood pressure.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Limit your alcohol. That means one drink a day for women and people older than 65, and two a day for men.
  • Manage stress. Practice healthy coping skills, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing. Try to get plenty of sleep.
  • Monitor your blood pressure at home.

Medications For High Blood Pressure

There are a variety of medications that can help manage high blood pressure. Again, medication is typically recommended when lifestyle changes dont produce results, and in more serious blood pressure cases like stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension. Medications for high blood pressure include:

  • Alpha, beta and alpha-beta blockersStop epinephrine and similar hormones from affecting the cardiovascular system, allowing the muscles of the heart and arteries to stay relaxed.
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorsStop the body from producing angiotensin, a hormone that narrows blood vessels.
  • Angiotensin receptor blockers Stop angiotensin from affecting blood vessels.
  • Calcium channel blockersHelp keep arteries relaxed by preventing calcium from entering heart and artery cells.
  • Central agonistsHelp control heart rate and blood flow by blocking signals between the brain and the nervous system.
  • DiureticsReduce excess sodium and water in the body.
  • Renin inhibitorsSlow the bodys production of the enzyme renin, which can play a role in high blood pressure.
  • VasodilatorsPrevent artery and vein muscles from narrowing.

Measuring Your Blood Pressure At Home

You can also diagnose yourself with hypertension by measuring your blood pressure at home. If readings are high over two visits at the doctors office, and if your blood pressure is higher than 135/85 mmHg when properly measured at home, then the diagnosis of hypertension can be made. This requires you to measure your blood pressure twice a day, in the morning and evening, for one week. Pay no attention to the measurements from the first day. Measuring blood pressure at home requires accurate equipment and proper measuring techniques. Measure the blood pressure of others in your house their blood pressure may also be high.

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How Blood Pressure Is Measured

It is best to measure blood pressure when you are relaxed and sitting. Blood pressure is usually measured by wrapping an inflatable pressure cuff around your upper arm.

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, such as 120/80. The larger number indicates the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps out blood during each beat. This is called the systolic blood pressure.

The lower number indicates the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat. This is called the diastolic blood pressure. Both are measured in units called millimetres of mercury .

Stroke And Brain Problems

25 best Symptoms, Causes and Prevention of Hypertension images on ...

High blood pressure can cause the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain to burst or be blocked, causing a stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen. Stroke can cause serious disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also kill you.

Having high blood pressure, especially in midlife, is linked to having poorer cognitive function and dementia later in life. Learn more about the link between high blood pressure and dementia from the National Institutes of Healths Mind Your Risks®external icon campaign.

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Drink Alcohol In Moderation

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will increase your blood pressure and raise the cholesterol levels in your blood.

Sticking to the recommended amounts of alcohol consumption is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.

The recommended daily limits of alcohol consumption are:

  • 3 to 4 units of alcohol for men
  • 2 to 3 units of alcohol for women.

A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure or spirits.

More about drinking alcohol reponsibly

When Should You Call Your Doctor

One high or low blood pressure reading by itself may not mean you need to call for help. If you take your blood pressure and it is out of the normal range, wait a few minutes and take it again. If it’s still high or low, use the following guidance.

anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You passed out .

or seek immediate medical care if:

  • Your blood pressure is much higher than normal .
  • You think high blood pressure is causing symptoms such as:
  • Severe headache.
  • You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
  • Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

    • Your blood pressure measures higher than your doctor recommends at least 2 times. That means the top number is higher or the bottom number is higher, or both.
    • You think you may be having side effects from your blood pressure medicine.

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    What Do The Numbers Indicate When Writing Blood Pressure

    The top figure represents the amount of pressure in your arteries during heart muscle contraction. This is referred to as systolic pressure. Most blood pressures are made up of two figures, with the first being higher than the second.

    When you write “blood pressure” these figures should be written in scientific notation: 120/80 mm Hg. Scientific notation is a way of expressing large or small numbers by using a special type of notation called “scientific.” It makes arithmetic operations on the numbers easy. For example, if you want to know what number comes next in the sequence, you can use scientific notation to easily find this out: Next number in sequence is 10 times previous number, so the next number is 100 × 99 = 9900.

    Scientific notation uses three parts: a number within parentheses, m for milli- then a decimal point and finally the number itself.

    For example, 1000m is the same as 1 thousand. It shows that you have one thousand units. Milli- means one million, so 1mm hg is one hundredth of a meter per centimeter square of mercury. You may see other ways to express these numbers, such as K and psi, but they’re not as common as milli-.

    Preventing High Blood Pressure

    Best Ways To Lower Your High Blood Pressure

    To keep your blood pressure in the normal range, your daily habits are key. These things help:

    Donât smoke. Among the many health problems that smoking causes, it raises your blood pressure.

    Make physical activity a habit. Most experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five or more times a week. Or you could do a harder activity for a shorter period of time per session.

    Eat right. Read food labels to see how much sodium is in a serving. Check with your doctor to find out what your daily limit should be. Include a lot of vegetables and fruits, along with whatever else you choose to put on your plate.

    Stick to a healthy weight. Extra pounds raise your blood pressure. If youâre not sure what a healthy weight would be for you, ask your doctor.

    Get enough sleep. For most adults, thatâs 7-8 hours of sleep per night, on a regular basis.

    If you drink alcohol, limit it to no more than one drink a day if youâre a woman and up to two drinks a day if youâre a man.

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    Lowering High Diastolic Blood Pressure

    Regardless of the cause, IDH should not be ignored. In many individuals, the systolic pressure will also become elevated over time. In the Framingham Heart Study, 83 percent of those with IDH developed mixed hypertension over the next 10 years.

    Even if it doesn’t progress, IDH itself increases the likelihood of serious cardiovascular complications. A study published in the March 2014 issue of the Journal of Hypertension noted that adults with IDH had double the risk of cardiovascular complications, including heart attacks, strokes or heart-related death, compared to normal-pressure adults.

    from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recommend treating all individuals with a diastolic pressure of 80 mmHg or greater, regardless of whether the person has IDH or mixed hypertension.

    Strategies to lower blood pressure may include weight loss, dietary changes, exercise and medication. Reducing other risk factors for cardiovascular disease by controlling blood sugar and cholesterol levels is also important.

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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.

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    What Is High Blood Pressure Anyway

    Letâs first begin with how the heart functions. With each beat, the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body in an ongoing, life-sustaining cycle. The forceor pressureof that contraction is what keeps your blood flowing through your arteries and veins.

    There are two types of pressure that get generated:

  • Systolic, which is the pressure when your heart beats

  • Diastolic, which is your blood pressure between beats

  • A healthy blood-pressure reading is written out like this: 120/80 mmHg , with the systolic number on top and the diastolic number below. Spoken out loud, youll hear: 120 over 80. Its only when your numbers spike higher than 129 and tick upward of 80 , that youre venturing into hypertensiona.k.a. high blood pressure territory.

    Your blood pressure goes up when youre active. It goes down when you chill out. Its highest in the morning when you wake up and lowest when you sleep. These types of fluctuations occur normally. However, when its continually above normal, you have a problem.

    Why? Because HBP can do A LOT of damage. It strains and stiffens your blood vessels, which can make your heart work harder than it shouldand that can lead to a range of heart disorders, some of them quite serious.

    What Can Cause A Short

    Is 174 High Blood Sugar

    It’s normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. Things like exercise, stress, and sleeping can affect your blood pressure. Some medicines can cause a spike in blood pressure, including certain asthma medicines and cold remedies.

    A low blood pressure reading can be caused by many things, including some medicines, a severe allergic reaction, or an infection. Another cause is dehydration, which is when your body loses too much fluid.

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    What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure

    Most people who have high blood pressure do not have symptoms. This is why its sometimes called the silent killer. It is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

    Some people experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath with high blood pressure. However, those symptoms can mimic many other things . Usually, these symptoms occur once blood pressure has reached a dangerously high level over a period of time.

    Get Regular Blood Pressure Checks

    If your blood pressure is in the healthy range and you have no other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and no personal or family history of high blood pressure, it is still important to have a check at least every two years. Your doctor can also check your blood pressure during routine visits.

    If your blood pressure is highnormal , or if you have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as a personal or family history of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack, it is best to have it checked more frequently such as every 6 to 12 months or as directed by your doctor. Ask your doctor for advice.

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    What Medications Are Used To Treat High Blood Pressure

    Four classes of high blood pressure medications are considered first line when starting treatment. Sometimes other medications are coupled with these first-line drugs to better control your high blood pressure. First-line, pressure-lowering medications are:

    • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors block the production of the angiotensin II hormone, which the body naturally uses to control blood pressure. When angiotensin II is blocked, your blood vessels dont narrow. Examples: lisinopril , enalapril or captopril.
    • Angiotensin II receptor blockers block this same hormone from binding with receptors in the blood vessels. ARBs work the same way as ACE inhibitors to keep blood vessels from narrowing. Examples: metoprolol , valsartan or losartan.
    • Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of your heart and blood vessels, allowing these vessels to relax. Examples: amlodipine , nifedipine , diltiazem .
    • Diuretics flush excess sodium from your body, reducing the amount of fluid in your blood. Diuretics are often used with other high blood pressure medicines, sometimes in one combined pill. Examples: indapamide, hydrochlorothiazide or chlorothiazide.

    Blood Pressure Checks During Pregnancy

    Which Blood Pressure Reading is More Important, Systolic or Diastolic?

    If you are pregnant, you should have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, even if it is not high.

    Watching your blood pressure while you are pregnant reduces your risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension. This can lead to a serious condition called pre-eclampsia where there is a problem with the placenta .

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    What Can Cause Blood Pressure To Go Up Or Down

    It’s normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. Things like exercise, stress, and sleeping can affect your blood pressure. Some medicines can cause your blood pressure to go up. These medicines include certain asthma medicines and cold remedies.

    A low blood pressure reading can be caused by many things, including some medicines, a severe allergic reaction, or an infection. Another cause is dehydration, which is when your body loses too much fluid.

    What Is The Lower Level Of Blood Pressure Called

    Diastolic blood pressure When your heart is at rest between beats, the bottom number in a blood pressure reading corresponds to the amount of pressure in your arteries. It’s usually listed first, followed by the systolic pressure, the top number in the reading.

    The diastolic pressure is made up of two numbers: the first number is measured when the artery is relaxed and undisturbed the second number is measured after a few beats when the muscle surrounding the artery contracts and expands. This makes sure that enough blood gets pumped into the artery for measurement. The term “diastolic” comes from the fact that the number is recorded when no other blood vessels are disturbed.

    Systolic blood pressure The top number in a blood pressure reading is known as the systolic pressure. It tells you how hard your heart is beating when it registers a number on the blood pressure cuff. Your doctor may want to know both numbers because some diseases can cause one number but not the other. For example, diabetes can lead to high blood sugar levels which affect the systolic pressure but not the diastolic pressure.

    Taking your blood pressure accurately A good way to check your blood pressure is with a blood pressure monitor. These devices sound an alarm if the number they read is higher or lower than normal for you.

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    Primary High Blood Pressure

    While the specific cause of primary high blood pressure remains unknown, there is compelling evidence to suggest that a number of risk factors increase your chances of developing the condition.

    These risk factors include:

    • age – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
    • a family history of high blood pressure – the condition seems to run in families
    • being of Afro-Caribbean or South Asian origin
    • high amount of salt in your diet
    • lack of exercise
    • excessive alcohol consumption

    A number of health conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease, have also been linked to an increase risk of developing primary high blood pressure.

    Foods Can Have High Salt Content And Not Even Taste Salty

    Pin on Healthy Life

    Foods that have high sodium content may not always taste salty. Salt can be hidden in foods such as salad dressings, soups, pasta sauces, cheeses, breads, and condiments. We all know potato chips are salty, but you may not know a bran muffin could contain more salt than the chips! This is why it’s important to read labels and check for sodium levels, and choose foods lower in salt.

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    Heart Attack And Heart Disease

    High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease. In addition, decreased blood flow to the heart can cause:

    • Chest pain, also called angina.
    • Heart attack, which happens when the blood supply to your heart is blocked and heart muscle begins to die without enough oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
    • Heart failure, a condition that means your heart cant pump enough blood and oxygen to your other organs.

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