High Blood Pressure: Should I Expect Symptoms?

High blood pressure is one of America’s silent killers. People tend to have it for years before it is officially diagnosed. The only way to know for sure if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured at the doctor’s office – otherwise, it will not show any symptoms. Through the use of a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, your physician can inform you as to whether or not your blood pressure is high.

Since it has no symptoms, it is not easy to diagnose. Malignant hypertension – the late phase of the condition – may bring the patient blurred vision, headaches, and damage of end organs. Those suffering from high blood pressure should avoid stressful situations, which have been known to worsen the condition. Occasionally, high blood pressure can be confused with anxiety, mental tension, and stress. Chronic anxiety does not cause high blood pressure, although it may irritate it in people in whom the condition is already present.

While we do not know why high blood pressure occurs, we do know of some factors that contribute to it and can thus heighten the risk of strokes and heart attacks. These include eating too much salt, obesity, lack of exercise, stress, and excessive use of alcohol and other illicit substances. Then there are some hereditary aspects that cannot be controlled. For example, individuals of African descent are more likely to develop high blood pressure. They also get it at a younger age, and often in more severe forms.

In recent years, the condition of “prehypertension” has been defined by the medical establishment as blood pressure between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg. Normal blood pressure rates at below 120/80 mm Hg. The most ideal blood pressure rating is around 115/75 mm Hg. Those patients afflicted with kidney disease or diabetes should try to keep their blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg.

Researchers have established that blood pressure is affected by one’s diet. Vegetarians tend to have very low blood pressures. When one moves from a dietary plan that is low blood pressure associated to one that is affiliated with higher blood pressures, gradually one will adapt the higher blood pressure associated with that particular diet.

The main ingredient for the lower of blood pressure through diet seems to be a reduction in salt intake. If one is suffering from high blood pressure, they might do themselves a lot of good discussing the issue of salt with their physician. Statistically, it has been established that Americans consume more salt than any other nation. Excessive amounts of salt tends to cause conditions like hypertension.

In general, the American Heart Association has recommended that salt intake not exceed six grams a day. The average American diet consists of ten milligrams a day. When one goes on a whole food diet, such as the Red Yeast Rice Diet, then it can be very easy to cut down on salt intake. The fact is, processed foods often contain high amounts of sodium. Cutting down on junk food is also a good way of eliminating salt from one’s diet.

Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com

Visit us or share your opinions at the worlds best homepage or free content resource

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated