What is Blood Pressure (BP) ?
“Blood pressure (BP)” is the force of blood pressing against the walls of the arteries. It is called the silent killer because usually there are no signs or symptoms for years and causes unknown. It is estimated 1 in 5 do not know they have it and 1/3rd of population have HTN.
How is BP Measured?
BP is measured by 2 numbers a high (the first number) and low number.
Systolic- the 1st number, is the pressure in the blood vessels as the heart beats
Diastolic- the 2nd number, is the pressure in the blood vessels as the heart is resting between beats. Normal is generally < 120/80mm Hg. Normal to HBP: 120-140/80-90mm Hg. HBP is > 140/90mm Hg. High Blood Pressure (HBP) is diagnosed as Hypertension (HTN). Pre-HTN is when blood pressure is consistently just above the normal level, falling between 120-139/systolic pressure or 80 to 89/diastolic pressure. Usually, this is when a doctor suggest making lifestyle changes but unfortunately many have no clue other than telling you to make them and leave you on your own to implement them. The HTN-Danger Zone is a 911 and numbers are 180/110 and higher, it is an emergency immediate action is required.
RISK
Unfortunately, HBP/HTN is all too common and usually catches up with many people as they age. It is an indication of an inflammatory problem and the heart being overworked. If not managed, which 50 % are not, it leads to damage of the arteries, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, lung and brain damage and contributes to other health problems including diabetes (60%) and sudden death. It is the number one reason for stroke and heart attack.
Who Gets HBP?
Men > woman up to the age of 45 and by the time of 65 it is more equal. They claim it is heredity, but research show you are not necessarily your DNA and that this is lifestyle induced (obesity/diet related) and African-Americans (@ younger age/salt sensitive). Salt (NaCl)… is in everything and even at the recommendation of the American Hearth Association of 1500mg/day there is no necessity to ever pick up the salt shaker.
Prevention HBP That Leads to HTN-
Number 1 preventative is eating right including the DASH diet, exercise and managing stress by practicing relaxation/slow deep breathing… What is true is that many people do not make those choices because it is easier to take pills/medications.
Treatment: TYPES OF BP MEDS used singularly or what is more common is used in conjunction.
The primary purpose of BP meds is helps blood vessels relax and widen, which helps lower blood pressure (This is not a cure and only manage symptoms in fact, per the Mayo clinic many times more trial and error… they are experimenting on you, fact.
• Diuretics aka water pills. They help your kidneys remove some salt (sodium) from your body. As a result, your blood vessels don’t have to hold as much fluid and your blood pressure goes down.
• Beta-blockers make the heart beat at a slower rate and with less force.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors aka ACE inhibitors relax your blood vessels, which lowers your blood pressure.
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers aka ARBs work about the same way as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
• Calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels by stopping calcium from entering cell.
Blood pressure medicines that are not used as often include:
• Alpha-blockers help relax your blood vessels, thus lowers your blood pressure.
• Centrally acting drugs signal your brain and nervous system to relax your blood vessels.
• Vasodilators signal the muscles in the walls of blood vessels to relax and Renin inhibitors acts by reducing the amount of angiotensin precursors thus relax your blood vessels
SIDE EFFECTS BP-Meds (pay attention here and do not ignore)-
Most BP-medicines are easy to take but all medicines have side effects, risk and/or cause harm. By the way, never, ever change the dose or stop taking a medicine unless you consult with your MD).Some primary common side effects of high blood pressure medicines include (you need to look up the individual med and look at ALL the side effects).
1. Cough
2. Increased Urination
3. Diarrhea or constipation
4. Dizziness or light-headedness
5. Erection problems (ED)
6. Feeling nervous
7. Feeling tired, weak, drowsy or a lack of energy
8. Headache
9. Nausea or vomiting
10. Skin rash
11. Weight loss or gain without trying
To enhance your health goal out comes hire a qualified LifeStyle Medicine Strategist… you are not your DNA.
