SOME FACTS ABOUT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

It is observedfrequently that patients with higher blood pressure have three times the risk of having a stroke. Many patients experiencing hypertension have no high blood pressure symptoms till they encounter either heart attack or stroke. It is a "silent killer ". Today 25 % of the total population suffer from hypertension. You too might be experiencing high blood pressure and still not aware of it . This article contains some important truths about high blood pressure.

(1) Your diastolic blood pressure may remain at about the same level at all time, but your systolic blood pressure may change frequently depending upon your daily routines and activities and the body's reactions to physical and mental stress. For an instance, if your BP registers normally at 122/80 mmHg

At work, it may jump to 160/80 mmHg due to stress.

(2) The greater the quantity of blood present in the body, the higher the rate of blood return to the heart and the resulting cardiac output. There is some connection between dietary salt intake and increased blood volume. Higher salt intake can result in higher blood pressure.

(3) The higher the resistance of the blood vessels, the higher the blood pressure. The larger the blood vessel, the lower the resistance. Vasoconstrictors, which are released by the body whenever it experience stress, can reduce the size of blood vessels. Reducing the size of blood vessels results to higher blood pressure. It is also related to the texture of the blood vessel walls. The build-up of fatty deposits on the arterial walls roughens up the arteries thus increasing blood pressure.

(4) Thickness of the blood has effects on blood pressure. Thicker blood results in higher blood pressure. Low red blood cell concentration reduces blood thickness while higher red blood cell concentration increases blood thickness.

(5) Calcium intake helps decrease blood pressure in patients experiencing hypertension.

(6) Nitric Oxide is the key molecule responsible for the control of blood pressure and cardiovascular functioning. The endothelium of the arteries produces Nitric Oxide. It spreads through the cell membranes to the underlying muscle cells and turns off their contracting function thereby resulting in dilation of arteries.

(7) A person having high cholesterol will be most likely at twice the risk for heart problems if his systolic blood pressure is 160 rather than 120.

(8) High blood pressure in the presence of other risk factors, becomes more dangerous when it is associated with smoking.

(9) Accumulation of plaque and fluids can lead to higher blood pressure.Tissues may swell with the fluid, thus increasing blood pressure in the arteries. Plaques which consist of fat and cholesterol can collect inside the artery making it narrower even blocking it.

(10) Thickening of the artery walls results to narrower opening and thus making blood flow restricted or even blocked. Narrowing of the arteries implies that the heart must pump faster and stronger to force blood through the arteries thereby resulting to higher blood pressure.

(11) Salt taken in food makes tissues retain fluids, thus putting more pressure on the arteries. This results to a higher blood pressure. To keep your blood pressure under control, take less of salt in your diet and consume more foods higher in potassium content. Potassium assists in muscle contraction and maintains proper levels of fluid in the body cells. It thereby ensures normal blood pressure.

(12) Blood pressure increases with age due to hardening of the arteries. The more the arteries harden, the more the systolic pressure increases as compared to diastolic.

(13) Alcohol and stress both appear to increase blood pressure. Blood pressure are observed to be higher among daily takers of alcohol, than those who drink only once a week. Stress is associated with an increase intake of alcohol.

(14) High BP symptoms are often not felt. Silent high BP may lead to many complications in the body without any precaution.

(15) Medicines will not make much of a difference in your physical well-being if you will not reform your lifestyle.

(16) If obese or overweight people lose weight, they will have a normal blood pressure.

(17) Smoking damages and constricts your blood vessels and is a major risk factor for stroke and heart diseases.

(18) Drinking more than two cups of coffee or any caffeinated beverage each day may result to a higher blood pressure.

SOURCE : 5 STEPS TO CONTROL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

By Dr. Anjali Arora