What about High Blood Pressure?

So much has been written, so much has been said about it. When we are young we wipe this topic off the table since it seems so far away. Unfortunately more and more people, even "youngsters" get to handle with this. Too dangerous, too serious and too frequent, so let's get a closer look,...

High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, heart failure and other health problems.
"Blood pressure" is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways.

Look at it like a garden hose that yo squeeze; the water will need to speed up to get through wich will increase the pressure against the interior side of the hose,...

Overview

About 1 in 3 adults in the United States has HBP. HBP itself usually has no symptoms. You can have it for years without knowing it. And that often is the problem. During this time, though, it can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of your body. All that time this is happening without the person not realizing this. How scary is this?
This is why knowing your blood pressure numbers is important, even when you're feeling fine. If your blood pressure is normal, you can work with your health care team to keep it that way. If your blood pressure is too high, you need treatment to prevent damage to your body's organs.

Blood Pressure Numbers

Blood pressure numbers include systolic (sis-TOL-ik) and diastolic (di-a-STOL-ik) pressures. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
You will most often see blood pressure numbers written with the systolic number above or before the diastolic, such as 120/80 mmHg. (The mmHg is millimeters of mercury—the units used to measure blood pressure.)
The table below shows normal numbers for adults. It also shows which numbers put you at greater risk for health problems. Blood pressure tends to goes up and down, even in people who have normal blood pressure. This is why we should check our blood pressure regularly on different times during the day. If your numbers stay above normal most of the time, you're at risk.

Blood Pressure Level Categories for Adults (in mmHg, or millimeters of mercury)

Category	Systolic (top number)		Diastolic (bottom number)
Normal	Less than 120	And	Less than 80
Prehypertension	120–139	Or	80–89
High blood pressure
Stage 1	140–159	Or	90–99
Stage 2	160 or higher	Or	100 or higher

The ranges in the table apply to most adults (aged 18 and older) who don't have short-term serious illnesses.
All levels above 120/80 mmHg raise your risk, and the risk grows as blood pressure levels rise. "Prehypertension" means you're likely to end up with HBP, unless you take the necessary steps to prevent it.
If you're being treated for HBP and have repeat readings in the normal range, your blood pressure is under control. However, you still have the condition. You should see your doctor and stay on treatment to keep you blood pressure under control.
Your systolic and diastolic numbers may not be in the same blood pressure category. In this case, the more severe category is the one you're in. For example, if your systolic number is 160 and your diastolic number is 80, you have stage 2 HBP. If your systolic number is 120 and your diastolic number is 95, you have stage 1 HBP.
If you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, HBP is defined as 130/80 mmHg or higher. HBP numbers also differ for children and teens.

Outlook

Blood pressure tends to rise with age. Following a healthy lifestyle helps some people delay or prevent this rise in blood pressure. So again, building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key!

People who have HBP can take steps to control it and reduce their risks for related health problems. Key steps include following a healthy lifestyle and maybe having ongoing medical care.

Leo's tips for lifestyle changes

• Don't smoke cigarettes or use any tobacco product.
• Lose weight if you're overweight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables and is low in fat.
• Cleanse your body on a regular bases.
• Learn to breath efficiently.
  
• Limit your sodium, alcohol and caffeine intake.
• Try relaxation techniques or biofeedback.

That's it y'all, and if you feel like you need to know more about this, just e-mail me or leave me a message and I'll get back to you!

Licensed to thrill,
Leo Stroobants
The Energy Evangelist.
www.leostroobants.com