Friday, January 14, 2011

Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure


Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Hypertension or high blood pressure, as it is more commonly known, is regarded as a silent killer. It is a disease of the modern age. The fast pace of life and the mental and physical pressures caused by the increasingly industrialized and metropolitan environments have a role to play in the rise in blood pressure. The heart is responsible for pumping blood through the arteries to the various organs and parts of the body. The pressure that is exerted on the walls of the arteries with the passage of blood is what is defined as blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called sphygnomanometer in millimetres of mercury. The highest pressure reached during each heart beat is called systolic pressure, and the lowest between two beat is known as diastolic pressure. Most young adults have blood pressure around 120/80. It increases normally with age, even going upto 160/90.

High Blood Pressure Picture
Hypertension is commonly referred to in the media as the silent killer with good reason. The condition often causes no discernible symptoms, causing a large number of fatalities as it is often detected too late. While hypertension or high blood pressure may not be a direct cause of death it could lead to a number of complications and long term diseases that often prove fatal. High blood pressure can afflict anyone past the age of thirty, with the risk increasing as we age, although it could also afflict young adults at times. It is in fact estimated that up to sixty million Americans may suffer from high blood pressure. Awareness about the risk factors and the symptoms of high blood pressure is of great importance as the only effective way of managing high blood pressure is through preventive measures and early detection. Being able to recognize high blood pressure symptoms can literally make the difference between life and death.

High blood pressure can be treated effectively and controlled with medications and lifestyle modifications. Treating high blood pressure should not be taken lightly however and your doctor’s instructions should be followed meticulously. Attempts at controlling high blood pressure naturally are ill advised. High blood pressure cannot be cured permanently and a reduction of high blood pressure symptoms should not be taken as a sign to stop treating high blood pressure. Similarly, patients should not attempt self medication or high blood pressure treatment solely with natural treatments for high blood pressure and lifestyle changes. Medical attention is necessary and regular checkups are of great importance especially when detected with the condition. Uncontrolled or poorly treated high blood pressure can cause a variety of complications including heart attacks, kidney failure, strokes and peripheral artery disease among others. The risk of succumbing to a heart attack is in fact directly connected to high blood pressure. The higher your blood pressure the higher the risk.

Managing high blood pressure naturally with diet changes may be necessary during pregnancy if medications do pose a risk to the mother or child. This of course depends entirely on the advice of your doctor and should not be a decision you make single handedly.

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