High blood pressure and how to live a heart-healthier life. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers–the systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). The pressure of blood against the artery walls when your heart beats is called systolic pressure. The pressure between beats when your heart relaxes is called diastolic pressure. Many people get high blood pressure as they get older.
In fact, over half of all Americans age 60 and older have high blood pressure. However, getting high blood pressure is not a normal part of aging. Two forms of high blood pressure have been described–essential (or primary) hypertension and secondary hypertension. Essential hypertension is a far more common condition and accounts for 95% of hypertension. The cause of essential hypertension is multifactorial, that is, there are several factors whose combined effects produce hypertension. Essential hypertension affects approximately 75 million Americans. Diseases of the kidneys can cause secondary hypertension. This type of secondary hypertension is called renal hypertension because it is caused by a problem in the kidneys.
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called “pre-hypertension. High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. High blood pressure is effected age 55. Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your chance (or risk) for getting heart disease and/or kidney disease, and for having a stroke. It is especially dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. It is estimated that one in every four American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. High blood pressure is particularly common among blacks, often developing at an earlier age than it does in whites. Serious complications, such as stroke and heart attack, also are more common in blacks. People who are inactive tend to have higher heart rates. The higher your heart rate, the harder your heart must work with each contraction — and the stronger the force on your arteries. Lack of physical activity also increases the risk of being overweight.
High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary but dramatic increase in blood pressure. Sometimes pregnancy contributes to high blood pressure. Certain chronic conditions also may increase your risk of high blood pressure, including high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease and sleep apnea. The treatment goal is blood pressure below 140/90 and lower for people with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease. Mild high blood pressure can be treated with lifestyle changes. Losing weight, regular exercise, a low-fat and low salt diet, quitting smoking and reducing the amount of alcohol consumed will often be enough to get blood pressure down to normal levels. Calcium-channel blockers, which relax arterial blood vessels making them less narrow. Beta-blockers, which make the heart beat more slowly and less strongly. They work by blocking the action of nerves supplying the heart that release a chemical called noradrenaline.
Home Remedy for High Blood Pressure Tips
1.Take 100 gm melon seeds and 100 gm poppy seeds (khus-khus) and powder them. Store the powder in a clean container and consume 1 tsp with water morning and evening.
2.A real effective home remedy for high blood pressure is to take 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp ginger juice and 1 tsp cumin powder and mix them well. Have this mixture at least two times in a day.
3.As a part of high bp home remedy treatment, it’s good to try out the idea of consuming coriander or fenugreek leaves mixed in 1 cup of water.
4.A clove of garlic is highly recommended for high blood pressure. Chew one clove of garlic first thing every morning and wash it down with water. The garlic can also be coarsely pound and swallowed with water.
5.Make a juice of 25-30 curry leaves with 1 cup of water. Strain and drink first thing in the morning. Limejuice can be added for taste.
6.In the same manner coriander or fenugreek leaves can be tried they won’t harm in any way and at the same time one can find out what is best suited to their system.
7.Mix 1 tsp honey with 1 tsp ginger juice and 1 tsp cumin powder. Have twice a day.
8.Keep clean potable water in a copper urn overnight. Drink a glass early morning.
9.Take four leaves of Basil and two leaves of Neem (Margosa) and grind them with four spoons of water. Take this ground mixture empty stomach with a glass of water.
10.Eat empty stomach one Papita (Papaya) everyday for one month. Do not take anything after this for at least two hours.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for homemade recipes and eye stye. She also writes articles on women health care.
