By Mansi Gupta
As I investigate the various diseases or problems that afflict
most of the Americans, I find that blood pressure is quite a common
problem that has deteriorated the healthy life of many. It is not
just the senior citizens but even middle-aged men and women who
are troubled by blood pressure. This is because there are several
origins to this problem and as life is spontaneously picking pace,
people are becoming more and more negligent of their health and
fitness.
What is blood pressure?
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It is basically
the resistance to the flow of blood by the arteries. The heart pumps
the blood with a certain force, which is termed as the systolic
blood pressure. The force against the arterial walls when the heart
relaxes is known as diastolic blood pressure. The systolic (the
natural force with which the blood is pumped by heart) and the diastolic
(the arterial resistance or the force needed against arterial walls)
are the two parameters to detect the blood pressure.
What Causes Blood Pressure?
There are quite a few reasons that bring about hypertension.
Some primary causes are listed below-
- 1. In many a cases hypertension
is genetic. Those parents who suffer from acute blood pressure,
in most of the cases their children too sooner or later undergo
the same problem.
- 2. Imbalanced diet largely provokes
blood pressure. A diet rich in salty food and excess of fluids
increments the amount of fluid in the body. Kidneys at time
are not able to pass the extra liquid and sodium by way of urine.
The liquid and sodium thus accumulated increments the blood
volume and so the blood pressure.
- 3. High cholesterol level of the
body is the cause of thickening of the walls of the arteries.
This makes the flow of blood more troublesome and leads to blood
pressure.
- 4. Malfunctioning of the kidney
or adrenal gland produce blood pressure.
- 5. Stress is a big factor behind
hypertension.
- Addiction to alcohol, smoke and
other narcotics paves the way for high blood pressure.
- 6. Tobacco contains nicotine that
constricts the arteries along with accelerating the heartbeat
of the individual. This increases the pressure of blood in the
body.
- 7. Stress too is threatening for
blood pressure patients. It boosts the heart rate of narrows
the blood vessels that supply blood to all parts of the boy.
What after blood pressure?
Life is not that easy for those who suffer from blood pressure.
Blood pressure can be the cause of many severe problems. Patients�
of hypertension are more prone to paralytic attacks, brain hemorrhage,
nervousness and heart failure.
What can keep aside the hazards?
Medicines are available to customize the blood pressure at normal
levels. These drugs are prescribed by the physician and should be
eaten regularly. An escape from the daily dose might land you in
trouble. So one should not be careless here. A diet rich in essential
nutrients for instance minerals like calcium and potassium is seen
to avert the risk of high blood pressure.
Avoid fatty food and addictives. Excess of alcohol, smoke and
tobacco are too fatal to be imagined.
Go for regular check ups. If you cannot make to the clinic evenly,
get a sphygmomanometer (instrument to check blood pressure) at home
and measure the blood pressure in routine.
Avoid going to heights and activities like trekking.
Don�t let stress rule your mind and body.
If you are a patient of hypertension, in case of any other trouble
such as excess of urine or feeling of uneasiness etc., consult your
doctor before taking any medicine or comprising on your daily dosage.
Managing blood pressure can be easy if you start loving your
health and become more judicious and consistent in taking care of
it.