What Steven Cousley Does

Understanding High Blood Pressure Readings

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure you probably already know the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring but do you know what those numbers actually mean?

The device most commonly used as a blood pressure tester is known as a “sphygmomanometer”. These machines have been in use in doctors surgeries since the 1880′s. Early forms of the machine made use of a mercury barometer and were read in terms of how far the mercury rose in a column. Modern devices still use the same scale which is why the readings are given in terms of millimetres of mercury or mmHg.

Most forms of sphygmomanometer make use of an inflatable cuff that is wrapped around the arm. The cuff is inflated until the pressure is high enough to stop the flow of blood in the main artery of the arm. The pressure in the cuff is then slowly released until the sounds of blood rushing through the artery is detected, either by use of a stethoscope or electronic means in the case of a digital monitor. The pressure at which sounds are first heard is the systolic pressure and indicates the pressure in the artery while the heart is beating.

The pressure in the cuff is continued to release until no more sounds are heard. This is the point at which the blood is able to flow freely in the artery and is known as the diastolic pressure. The diastolic pressure indicates the pressure in ther artery beween heart beats when the heart is relaxed. The two pressure readings are recorded in the form systolic/diastolic, eg, 120/80, which is read as “one twenty over eighty”

Blood pressure readings vary throughout the day depending on activity and stress level and can be affected by many other factors as well, such as caffeine or tobacco intake. It’s best to actually measure blood pressure at a time when you are relaxed. Wait until at least 30 minutes after strenuous activity or consumption of caffeine. Try to sit in a relaxed position for 10-15 minutes before the pressure is measured.

Your resting blood pressure is a good indicator of the health of your circulatory system. If your readings are repeatedly at a high level it means extra stress is being placed on your heart and blood vessels. this condition puts you at high risk of serious damage to major organs. Your blood vessels may harden, a condition known as artheriosclerosis. Your blood vessels narrow and there is a greater risk of clotting. This can also lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart failure, stroke or kidney failure.

Generally speaking, blood pressure readings below 120/80 are considered to be normal. Between 120/80 and 140/90 is known as a high normal or pre-hypertension (pre-high blood pressure) range. Above 140/90 is a state of high blood pressure and above 180/110 is considered to be extremely high.

Your doctor would need to measure your pressure a few times over subsequent visits before confirming a diagnosis of high blood pressure readings. They will then suggest a course of treatment which will most likely include a healthier lifestyle and in more severe cases medication may also be required.

Medications for Reducing High Blood Pressure

In most sufferers of “hypertension” or “high blood pressure” the first course of treatment involves lifestyle changes. A healthier diet and exercise, weight loss, reducing alcohol consumption and stopping smoking are all part of a regimen to prevent or control blood pressure problems. However if lifestyle changes prove to be ineffective or there are other serious health conditions then medication may be needed as well.

A course of medication may involve just one type or medicine or several. Your doctor will decide on the best treatment plan for you and over time will monitor the dosages to keep you on track towards your target blood pressure. The following are some of the main types of medication used for blood pressure control.

Alpha-Blockers: This medication alters the nerve impulses to your blood vessels allowing an easier flow of blood which results in a reduction in blood pressure

Beta-Blockers: Reduce nerve impulses to your heart and blood vessels. They reduce your heart rate as well decreasing your blood pressure.

Alpha-Beta-Blockers: Work as a combination of alpha and beta blockers. They control nerve impulses to your blood vessels and heart resulting in a relaxing of the blood vessels and a reduced heart rate.

Nervous System Inhibitors: Work in a different manner to alpha blockers but also control nerve impulses to relax and widen the arteries.

Diuretics: Are also known as ‘water pills,’are used in the treatment of many diseases. In the case of high blood pressure they are used to help the kidneys flush out excess sodium from the body. Excess sodium is a factor in around 33% of hypertension patients.

Vasodilators: Work to open your blood vessels directly by relaxing the muscles in your artery walls
which then causes your blood pressure to decrease.

ACE Inhibitors: ACE is an abreviation for ‘Angiotensin Converting Enzyme.’ These inhibitors prevent the production of a hormone called angiotensin II which causes your blood vessels to narrow. Decreased levels of angiotensin II allows your blood vessels to more easily relax.

Angiotensin Antagonists: Work by preventing your arteries from responding to angiotensin. As a result the blood vessels become more relaxed.

Calcium Channel Blockers: Prevent calcium from entering your heart muscle and blood vessels which can be a contributor in some cases of high blood pressure.

Congestive Heart Failure Prognosis

Time and wear and tear can take their toll on the body and even the heart itself.  You can develop such things as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure, which are possible  congestive heart failure causes.  These diseases sap your strength by reducing the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently.  It is very important that you take care of your body because these things are  not reversible but are preventable. 

Your bodyis a magnificent machine that normally works in harmony.  Like any machine it needs proper care and sometimes parts needs to be repaired or replaced.  Your heart is one part that sometimes needs help to prevent failure. If your heart is damaged it may not pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs or even lead to congestive heart failure. Many conditions can be the cause of possibly fatal congestive heart failure.

Congestive heart failure medications can treat your existing conditions and improve your survival rate. These medicines if taken properly can help control your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other things that might have an affect your heart.  This field of medicine has come a very long way in providing treatments  to prevent congestive heart failure.

The cardiologist is a heart specialist who can inform you about by-pass surgery or stents to open up the flow of  blood through the veins and arteries leading to your heart.  There are many methods the doctors may advise to prolong your life.  Ask your doctor for advice on what you need to do.  It is  possible for you to do things for yourself that will help keep your heart in good shape.

A change of lifestyle might be required to prevent congestive heart failure.  This doesn’t always take a big change but you may need to take better control of some aspects of your life. Firstly, take a look at your diet. You will need to make sure you stick to a  healthy diet that is good for your body, especially your heart.  Watch your salt intake. Eating fatty foods and over indulging can increase the risk of congestive heart failure. You might need to learn how to manage stress or overcome depression or simply improve the quality of our life. Being overweight can lead to many problems including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.  Keeping these conditions under control will help to prevent congestive heart failure.

Managing stress can become a stressful problem in itself for many people.  Stress can lead to high blood pressure and other disorders that can be harmful to your heart. You need to find a way to release your daily stress. Regular exercise can assist with general fitness as well as helping to deal with stress. Join an exercise program at a local local gym or buy your own equipment to use in your home. Even if you don’t have the time, money, or space to afford an exercise program or equipment you can find a way to get regular exercise. Simply going for a daily walk will be of benefit.  

Congestive heart failure is a serious disease and is one of the number one killers.  Prevention begins at home by you taking better care of your body’s needs.

How Diet and Food can Affect Your Blood Pressure

Everythng you eat can have an affect on your blood pressure. Watching your diet can be very beneficial to keeping your blood pressure normal. Even if you have never had a problem with high blood pressure, taking necessary precautions can avoid the causes of blood pressure problems.

You could try a meat free diet. In a vegetarian diet ensure that you get all of the following:

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin A & C
• Potassium
• Complex Carbohydrates
• Polyunsaturated Fat
• Fiber

All of these can have a great influence on your blood pressure.

Sugar can increase your blood pressure, especially the common table sugar sucrose. Try to limit your intake of this. A diet high in fiber has been proven effective in lowering blood pressure. Along with lowering your blood pressure this diet will also help you reduce your cholesterol levels and even promote weight loss.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is very important as well. Any diet that includes consuming fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and is low in total fat, cholesterol and saturated fat has proven to be effective in reducing blood pressure rates.

Many people use more salt than they are aware of. Maybe because some of us are just used to automatically salting our food unaware if it was salted when being cooked. (If eating out) Reducing your salt intake will also help lower your blood pressure.

A diet high in potassium and low in sodium reduces your blood pressure rise by reducing the effect of adrenaline. If you reduce your sodium intake you must also increase your potassium intake.

There are some vegetables and spices that help control your blood pressure. Many of these are very common vegetables and spices so you may be helping your blood pressure and not even know it.

Onions’ essential oil is very beneficial. If you have two to three tablespoons of this essential onion oil a day, it could help reduce your systolic levels. Tomatoes are also a beneficiary to controlling blood pressure. They are high in GABA, a compound that helps lower your blood pressure.

Broccoli contains several blood pressure reducing ingredients. Carrots also have many compounds that do the same. Introducing these vegetables to your diet will do wonders for your blood pressure. Even if you don’t suffer from high blood pressure, it’s best to keep it at a safe level and take the extra precautions to get there.

Garlic and celery are also great to add to your diet. Garlic is good for the heart which you’ve probably been told before. Eating just one clove of garlic a day has been proven to be beneficial.

Whatever diet you choose or whatever foods you try to limit, remember you are doing it for your health. Many people learn to enjoy healthier foods as they get older. If you have any questions or concerns about your blood pressure get with your doctor. They will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you might have. Controlling the causes of  blood pressure problems is very important and will make you feel much better.

Are You at Risk for Hypertension?

Do you know what the causes are of hypertension? How do you know if you are at risk? There are many different causes for high blood pressure. In this article you will find out if you are at risk and how you can help prevent and control your hypertension.

Your blood pressure is high if it is over 120/80, which is the normal level of blood pressure. There are many everyday lifestyle habits that raise your pressure that you might not be aware of. One of those is being overweight. If you are overweight you are at a greater risk of developing hypertension.

How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure?

Try to start a healthy diet or start exercising. Even losing a measly ten pounds can help you drastically and keep your blood pressure normal. Physical inactivity is also another lifestyle habit that causes many Americans to develop hypertension.

If you are not very physically active, consider starting to be. You can easily adapt exercise to your everyday routine; you just have to plan it out. Try to do at least thirty minutes of exercise a day. This will help lower or control your blood pressure.

Many people are not concerned with what they eat, yet they want to be healthy. These two do not go together. If you want to stay healthy, you have to watch what you eat. Having unhealthy eating habits can cause hypertension as well. Try to eat less salt or sodium and more vegetables and fruits.

Using tobacco products is a great risk for developing hypertension. Smoking is a very common habit among the world and many of these people might have hypertension and not even know it. There are many ways to help rid the habit of nicotine or use of any tobacco product.

Every one is stressed at some point during their lives. You might be stressed every day or just once in awhile. Whatever the case may be, you can still develop hypertension through stress. If you find yourself stressed more often than not, consider some relaxation techniques. Meditation is a great way to start. If this doesn’t work, consider something different.

Drinking alcohol also causes hypertension. Do you drink quite a bit? More than two drinks for a man and more than one for a woman can raise their blood pressure. If you drink more than this, consider cutting back. Once again, if you are addicted to drinking, or smoking, you can find many ways to help you quit.

These are very common lifestyle habits that cause hypertension. If you are at risk for hypertension or already have it, consider purchasing a home blood pressure tester. This can help ensure that whatever habits you are changing or modifying are working.

Medication for Hypertension

Sometimes this change is not enough. You might have to use medication or incorporate medication with your exercise routine, etc. The best way to know this is to visit your doctor. Ask any and all questions you might be concerned about. They will happy to assist you in helping you have a healthier and active lifestyle.