You may be suffering from a potentially fatal disease and not even know
it. High blood pressure or hypertension is also known as the 'silent killer.'
It affects 60 million adults in the United States alone.
An elevated blood pressure means the heart and arteries are working under
a strain that, in time, can result in a number of devastating problems
such as strokes or heart, kidney and eye disease.
The only way to determine if you suffer from high blood pressure is to
test for it. Patients with hypertension often don't show any symptoms of
the disease and, therefore, don't think they have any reason to take preventive
Hypertension is implicated in three of every four strokes and heart attacks.
If you have high blood pressure, take steps to treat it now so that years
of neglect don't catch up with you later.
The disease is easily treatable with medication or, in many cases, with
simple lifestyle changes. Here are some changes you can make to lower your
on salt. While salt is not necessarily to blame for high blood pressure,
consuming less of it helps a significant number of hypertension patients.
Watch especially for the salt lurking in fast food or canned goods. The
American Heart Association advises a maximum of 3,000 milligrams (1-11/2
teaspoons) a day, while the National Research Council suggests no more
than 3,300 milligrams. For salt-sensitive hypertensives, healthcare professionals
recommend an even more reduced salt intake of fewer than 1,150 milligrams
calcium. Daily doses of calcium supplements or calcium-rich foods are integral
to preventing you from becoming salt-sensitive.
A brisk daily walk or a light workout every other day can be enough to
lower blood pressure.
Take off excess pounds to reduce the burden on your overworked heart and
Take time to consciously relax several times a day. Find ways to better
cope with sources of stress in your life.
fish. Some research has shown that eating deep-water fish, such as mackerel
and tuna, two or three times a week can help control blood pressure.
drink water that has been through a softener. It might contain high levels
A lack of potassium in the diet has been shown to contribute to hypertension.
In addition to bananas, foods high in potassium include cantaloupe, orange
juice and baked potatoes.
parents or siblings have high blood pressure, watch for symptoms more carefully.
The condition runs in families.
provided by First Draft.