High blood pressure is a disease where the blood flows through the blood vessels as well as arteries at a pressure higher than the normal.
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| Credit:waytosteelhealth.org |
The treatment includes the use of dangerous beta-blockers, ACE inhibitor drugs, and diuretics, as well as salt restriction from the diet. These things do not get to the root of the issue. Most of the people do not display any signs or symptoms even when the blood pressure is at dangerously high level.
Systolic is the blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood, while diastolic pressure is the one when the heart is at rest between beats. The ranges include:
- Normal: less than 120/80;
- Prehypertension: 120-139/8—89;
- Stage 1 high blood pressure: 140-159/90-99;
- Stage 2 high blood pressure: 160 and above/100 and above.
Headaches, chest pain, nosebleeds, vision changes, confusion, and ear noise or buzzing are some warning signs of high blood pressure.
People have to keep their high blood pressure under control as at the age of 50 the total life expectancy is 5 years longer for people who have normal blood pressure than those with hypertension.
Complications of high blood pressure
It is considered to be the main cause for more than 360,000 American deaths, equaling 1,000 deaths a day. High blood pressure can increase the risks of dangerous conditions like:
- Eye issues – high blood pressure causes thickened, narrowed, and torn blood vessels in the eyes;
- Memory problems – it affects the ability to think, remember, and learn;
- Chronic heart failure – seven out of 10 people with chronic heart failure have high blood pressure;
- First stroke – 8 of 10 people have their first stroke due to high blood pressure;
- Metabolic syndrome – it is a combination of these health problems like high triglyceride levels, abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, or low HDL;
- Aneyrism – it is formed because of high blood pressure as it causes the blood vessels to weaken and bludge.
Low blood pressure vs. high blood pressure
There are some warnings for high blood pressure:
- Irregular heartbeat;
- Ear noise or buzzing;
- Nosebleed;
- Chest pain;
- Vision changes;
- Confusion
- Headaches;
Nearly 1 in 3 adults in America have prehypertension and that is when the blood pressure is higher than the normal, but not yet in the high blood pressure range. There are about 70 million Americans who are affected with this health issue and only half of them have their conditions under control.
While low blood pressure is manifested through:
- Blurred vision;
- Lack of concentration;
- Depression;
- Nausea;
- Fainting;
- Fatigue;
- Cold, clammy, pale skin;
- Dizziness or lightheadedness;
- Dehydration and unusual thirst.
The plague build up in the blood vessels, the blood flow to the heart muscle and brain drops with age, and when the pressure drops suddenly, the brain is deprived of the adequate blood supply causing dizziness and lightheadedness. There are 10-20% of people above the age of 65 who have postural hypotension. It is a sudden drop of blood pressure which appears when people suddenly rise from a sitting position to standing. Hypotension is a type of blood pressure when somebody stands for a longer period of time. When there are no symptoms, chronic low blood pressure is not serious. This condition can appear among people with heart issue, severe infection (septic shock), prolonged bed rest, decreased blood volume, pregnancy, anemia, naturally mediated hypotension, endocrine issues, allergic reactions, and certain medications like diuretics, beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, drugs for Parkinson’s disease, erectile dysfunction drugs especially in combination with nitroglycerin, narcotics, and alcohol.
Foods to avoid which make high blood pressure symptoms wore
- Trans fats and omega-6 fats – the can be found in packaged foods and conventional meats;
- Caffeine – reduce its intake if you have high blood pressure as it will increase it more;
- Alcohol – it narrows arteries and increases blood pressure;
- High sodium foods – avoid all canned and high sodium processed foods;
- Sugar – if consumed in high doses it can contribute to high blood pressure.
Foods to eat which help heal high blood pressure symptoms
- Omega-3 rich foods – it can be found in wild-caught salmon, flaxseed, grass-fed beef, and chia seeds;
- Tea – white tea is good for consumption couple of times per day as it thins the blood and improves artery;
- High-fiber foods – consume seeds, beans, vegetables, and fruits if you want to lower the pressure;
- Apple cedar vinegar – it is high in potassium and will help you keep the body alkaline which lowers the blood pressure in a natural way;
- Mediterranean diet – it is a diet rich in seafood, vegetables, fruits, and healthy omega-3 fat oils;
- Dark chocolate – those that contain at least 200 mg of cocoa phenols can reduce blood pressure;
- High-potassium foods – such foods lessen negative effects of sodium in the body and lowering blood pressure. Consume bananas, avocados, coconut butter, and melons.
Supplements for the symptoms of high blood pressure
- Fish oil – it is high in EPA and DHA forms of omega-3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation in the body. One of the main causes of high blood pressure is inflammation in the arteries. Take 1,000 mg of fish oil dose each day with your meals.
- Cocoa – the intake of flavonoids will be increased if cocoa is consumed as it helps in lowering the blood pressure and improving the blood flow to the heart and brain. It is a natural vasodilator, thus it increases the nitric oxide in the blood and widen the blood vessels.
- Coenzyme Q10 – this is an antioxidant which is critical for the support of heart health. Take 200-300 mg of it daily.
- Magnesium – it relaxes the blood vessels, thus before you go to bed consume 500 mg of it.
- Garlic – it is also available in pills or as a supplement liquid. Those who have uncontrolled hypertension have to use aged garlic because it has reduced peripheral and central blood pressure. Garlic has the power to improve inflammation, arterial stiffness, and other cardiovascular markers in those with elevated levels.
Natural remedies for high blood pressure symptoms
- Essential oils – they decrease emotional stress, dilating arteries and acting like antioxidants which reduce oxidative stress. Use oils like sweet marjoram, frankincense, neroli ylan ylang, and lavender. Include couple of drops of any of them and massage it with a lotion into your body.
- Reduce stress – once it is done, the high blood pressure will drop. Avoid using tobacco, alcohol, or excessive eating. Practice deep breathing, meditation, and healing prayer.
- Increase physical activity and exercise – engage in some form of physical activity or exercise at least 20 minutes per day.
Risk factors and root causes of high blood pressure
- Not being physically active – your heart has to work harder with each contraction.
- Pregnancy – it contributes to high blood pressure.
- Too much sodium in your diet – the blood pressure is increased as sodium causes your body retain fluids. Children are also at risk due to poor style living.
- Certain chronic conditions – sleep apnea, diabetes, and kidney disease increase the risk of high blood pressure.
- Too little potassium in your diet – it helps in the balance of the sodium content of the body’s cell, thus if you don’t consume it enough you can accumulate too much sodium in your blood stream.
- Being overweight – when your body weight increases it needs more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, with that the pressure on the artery walls and blood pressure increase.
- Age – with age the high blood pressure increases and is more common among men at the age of 45 and women at the age of 65.
- Tobacco use – it raises blood pressure as the chemicals damage the lining of the artery walls, causing your arteries to narrow.
- Too much alcohol – it damages your heart and affects blood pressure negatively.
- Stress – it leads to temporary increase of blood pressure.
- Race – African-Americans develop high blood pressure earlier than Caucasians. Kidney failure, stroke, and heart attacks are also more common among them.
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