High Blood Pressure

When the force of the blood gushing against the walls of the blood vessels (the tiny tubes that carry blood throughout your body) is higher than normal because the blood vessels have either become less able to stretch or have gotten smaller; then the patient is suffering from High Blood Pressure or Hypertension. Hypertension is classified into two main types, primary or essential hypertension and secondary or systemic hypertension. Essential hypertension (hypertension with no known cause) is not fully understood but accounts for about 85% of all hypertension cases in people over 45 years of age. Secondary or Systematic Hypertension occurs in less then 5% of the people. However, it has a definite cause and carelessness in treatment might have disastrous results for the hypertensive patient. This form of hypertension is a potential cause of stroke, hemorrhage and multiple systematic failures.

High blood pressure can develop over many years with no noticeable symptoms. That is why regular blood pressure checks are so very important. However, when high blood pressure is severe, certain symptoms do surface:

• Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
• Keep the stress level down or learn to manage stress through meditation, relaxation, exercise etc.
• Stop Smoking. Smoking is directly linked with the development of coronary artery disease.
• Avoid excessive salt intake.
• Eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, and food high in fiber--- and less fat.
• Reduce stress on and off the job.
• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 24 ounces of beer or one glass of wine per day.
• Exercise regularly and keep your weight within normal limits.
• If your physician prescribes medication to lower your blood pressure, be sure to follow his or her directions exactly.
  
  

Hypertension occurs when arterioles, small blood vessels that branch off from the arteries, become constricted making it difficult for blood to pass through them. As a result, blood pressure rises causing the heart to work harder. If blood pressure at rest stays at 140/90 or more, it means that the individual is suffering from hypertension.

Causes for essential or primary hypertension:

• The incidence of high blood pressure is lower in vegetarians, so eat plenty of oat bran, pectin fruits (such as bananas, apples and melons), vegetables like celery broccoli, cabbage, green leafy vegetables, peas, prunes, beets, carrots and spinach. 
• Coldwater fish and lean white meats are also recommended.
• Use olive and flaxseed oil.
• Garlic is very effective in lowering high blood pressure. It decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood. Garlic may be eaten fresh, in cooked foods, or taken in capsule form. Onion can also be as effective as garlic.
• Salt promotes retention of fluids and increases blood pressure. Reduce the intake of salt in your daily diet.
• Don’t drink soft water; avoid smoked or aged cheeses and meats, chocolates, animal fats, gravies, broths and processed food.
• Avoid caffeine as it can temporarily elevate blood pressure.
• Avoid using Nutra-Sweet, which contains phenylalanine.
• Reduce the intake of white-sugar. It can increase sodium retention and can stimulate adrenaline production, which can cause blood vessel constriction
  
  
  

• Monitor blood pressure daily and maintain a chart. Evaluate drug therapy.
• Try to lose weight by following a weight reduction and exercise plan. Low-impact aerobics, such as walking, are beneficial while weight lifting or isometric exercises are very harmful as they can rise blood pressure.
• Stop smoking. Smoking leads to coronary artery disease, which can cause high blood pressure. Giving up smoking decreases the risk of blood pressure by half.
• Try to relax and fight stress. Breathing techniques, yoga, exercise, music etc. can be helpful to inhibit tension.
• A fish aquarium or a pet can help to relax and reduce stress, consequently lowering blood pressure.
  

• People who are usually typified by perfectionism, ambition, high levels of motivation and standards of achievement are thought to be more susceptible to stress-related high blood pressure.
• People who are always in a rush have a tendency to look at their watches often, have trouble sleeping and don’t find times to relax are prone to have high blood pressure.
• Regular exercise, music therapy, breathing techniques, yoga, etc. can help in the reduction of tension.
• Although some physicians think that high blood pressure can be a physiological condition rather than a psychological problem but it is established that stress and tension, rise blood cholesterol which results in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.