Systolic in high blood pressure refers to the force created when the heart pushes the blood forward into the arteries while in the process of blood circulation. Related to this is the “diastolic” or the lower pressure for filling up of blood in the heart’s left ventricle chamber for distribution in the next wave of blood circulation.
Blood pressure is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) as 120 systolic and 80 diastolic or 120/80 mmHg, being the average normal blood pressure of adults. Hence, when our doctor tells us that our blood pressure reading is 120/80, rest assured that our blood pressure levels are within the normal limits. More than 120/80 can be considered having high systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
In order to have a better idea on what is the ideal level of blood pressure, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute released the following guidelines for blood pressure levels related to adults:
Normal Blood Pressure – 120/80 mmHG and below.
Why do you need to avoid eating sodium?
Sodium builds up in your body and begins to clog your arteries. By reducing the sodium you intake to a bare minimum you are no longer adding to the problem, instead you are taking away from the problem. Over time the existing buildup of sodium in your artery walls will begin to be removed from your body.
Is exercising really as important as my doctor claims?
Absolutely. By exercising you are essentially reducing the stress on your heart and arteries. The reduction gradually increases and the blood is able to freely and easily flow from the heart with little to no stress. Start exercising gradually, take your time and be consistent. Set goals that are realistic and achievable.
Should I be worried about side effects from my medication?
Generally speaking, you do not have to be overly concerned about the side effects associated with the medications used for treating high blood pressure. However, you should not dismiss them if you begin to experience them. Contact your doctor to determine if your symptoms should concern you or not.
Overweight and obesity is common especially in the U.S. and the medical community has expressed concern that today, 61% of the American population is obese. Being large and overweight is not a guarantee of good health. On the contrary, such individuals have been diagnosed to possess nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances.
Overweight may be due to poor eating habits or certain disorders but medical researchers arrived at a conclusion that whatever causes obesity, can also cause hypertension. Conditions such as having insulin resistance and increased sodium retention all lead to hypertension.
Although sodium retention in some obese individuals is associated to some form of genetic abnormality, studies have shown that a great majority of those with high levels of sodium retention have poor dietary habits and lifestyle.
How does sodium retention in overweight people lead to hypertension?
As we grow older, our physical activity is lessened thereby rendering us to become overweight. If there will be too much fat, the heart, joints, and other organs are under stress resulting to high blood pressure.
Understanding what causes low blood pressure is important knowledge that all adults should have. There are several different causes for low blood pressure and throughout this article we will get into more detail with the top seven causes. Understanding the causes is your first step in uncovering the truth and determining your level of risk for low blood pressure.
There are several causes for a person’s blood pressure to fall below normal. Among these causes are pregnancy, heart related conditions, hormone imbalances and many other health conditions.
The many causes for low blood pressure can be minor with an easy solution with minimal symptoms that cause the individual discomfort and others are more severe with very problematic symptoms. Here are the top 7 causes for blood pressure to drop.
Hypertension is a medical condition that affects millions of Americans. If untreated or treated improperly, it can lead to other medical diseases that can be fatal. In most cases, according to the American Heart Association, there are no identifiable causes for its development. However, there are many known secondary causes for hypertension and if treated properly it will control or even cure high blood pressure.
Otherwise known as inessential hypertension, secondary high blood pressure develops as a result of various underlying medical conditions. Secondary causes of hypertension attacks instantly and it accounts for approximately 5-10% of all cases of primary hypertension.
Medical healthcare providers simply treat secondary hypertension by controlling or disabling the underlying disease (pathology). These patients may still require antihypertensive drugs for initial stabilization.
Led by an Indian-origin researcher, a group of cardiovascular researchers of the Ohio State University Medical Center discovered a link between air pollution and how it has an impact on hypertension or high blood pressure.
Sanjay Rajagopalan, the section director of vascular medicine of Ohio State Medical Center and the co-author of the study states, “We now have even more compelling evidence of the strong relationship between air pollution and cardiovascular disease.”
In order to establish a conclusion to the study, rats were exposed to levels of airborne pollutants that humans breathe everyday. The experiment denoted that the levels were considerably below levels that are found in developing countries such as China, India, and in some parts of the United States.
According to a recent study, the loss of antioxidants in the endothelial cells contributes to the loss of vasodilator effects. The cells function as a lining for the blood vessels in the lungs; thereby, ultimately, contributing to the development of pulmonary hypertension.
Facilitated by Serpil Erzurum of the Cleveland Clinic, the study evaluated the antioxidant activities in patients that suffered from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). IPAH is a fatal disease that is characterized by a progressive increase in pulmonary artery pressure and vascular resistance.
Details of Erzurum’s study indicated that the inactivation of the oxidants located inside the cell is the direct result of the cell’s defense against oxidants. The researchers also discovered from this study that the entire process may contribute to low levels of nitric acid. The nitric oxide is identified in IPAH and it is a fundamental component in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.
Conclusively, Dr. Erzurum declares that this study has significant potential to effectively and extensively benefit patients with IPAH. Dr. Erzurum states, “Antioxidant augmentation in patients might be used to increase nitric oxide vasodilator effects, reduce pulmonary artery pressures and potentially improve clinical outcomes.”
These findings can be found in the Clinical and Translational Science.
Arterial hypertension or pulmonary arterial hypertension is a cardiovascular disease that produces elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. Pulmonary hypertension is extremely complex and is characterized as having multiple potential causes. The people who have been diagnosed and do not receive the appropriate treatment are at risk of right- sided heart failure.
This type of hypertension is the disastrous result of a disorder associated with the pulmonary blood vessels. Specifically, the cardiovascular disease is partially based on an obstruction to the blood flow that must travel through the pulmonary vessels. The obstruction may be associated with chronic left ventricle dysfunction.
More so, disorders that are known to be associated with hypoxemia often cause arterial hypertension. There are actually two types of pulmonary hypertension- primary pulmonary hypertension and secondary pulmonary hypertension.
It is important that patients who are diagnosed with hypertension and are taking anti- hypertensive medications understand the negative effect that other medications may have on the body. Specifically, certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications may compromise the productivity of the high blood pressure drugs.
As noted by the American Heart Association, the decongestant and high blood pressure has presented an alarming hosts of complications in that the OTC drug cause hypertensive treatment disruption.
Every hypertensive patient places themselves at greater risk when they select certain over-the-counter medications to treat common illnesses such as a cold, flu viruses or sinus. In particular, it has been discovered that the OTC decongestants have the tendency to raise blood pressure and even disrupt the effectiveness of its treatment.
Unfortunately, the development of high blood pressure amongst Americans is extremely common. At least 1 of 3 Americans suffer with the disease and, more so, an astonishing number of others are unaware that they have it.
The American Heart Association recommends that every one has their blood pressure checked regularly in order to control the progression of the disease by way of treatment and lifestyle changes. Conversely, with the increasing severity of high blood pressure, refractory hypertension has become extremely prevalent.
The number one objective for medical healthcare providers is to lower a hypertensive patients blood pressure levels. This is generally accomplished by prescribing antihypertensive drugs and offering lifestyle change recommendations. Yet, in the case of refractory hypertension, this has not proven effective.