High Blood Pressure & your future

Your blood pressure may not concern you at present, but it may result in disabling health complications in the future. High blood pressure (hypertension) is linked to a heightened risk for kidney damage, heart attack, stroke, dementia, and many other disorders. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure.1 However, most afflicted people do not know it, because this condition is usually asymptomatic. Below is a deion of some chronic conditions and lifestyle choices that can increase your blood pressure (BP), and also ways to lower your BP.

Relationship of Obesity to Hypertension

The circulatory system needs to work harder in people whose weight is higher than appropriate for height. An article in the Annals of Translational Medicine in 2017 revealed that people classified as obese averaged a 16 mmHg higher systolic BP (corresponding to the maximum pressure exerted by the heart while beating) than normal-weight adults. Additionally, people classified as obese averaged a 9 mmHg higher diastolic BP (representing the amount of pressure in the arteries between heartbeats) than normal-weight adults.2 

Since obesity also predisposes to the development of Type 2 diabetes—and diabetes is linked to hypertension—doctors in outpatient practices generally recommend lowering weight to within normal range for your height.

Sedentary Living – A Cardiac Hazard

The World Health Organization reports that 60-85 percent of all people worldwide lead sedentary lifestyles,3 and physical inactivity increases the risk for both high BP and heart dysfunction. Meanwhile, the American Heart Association recommends the following activities to manage high BP:4

• Brisk walking, stair-climbing, jogging, or bicycling;

• Attendance in a fitness class geared to your fitness level;

• Participation in team sports, fitness games, or swimming

Atherosclerosis Due to High Cholesterol

Plaque build-up in the arteries is one of the consequences of a diet high in LDL cholesterol. In turn, narrowing of the arteries (resulting from plaque build-up) contributes over time to hypertension. Overall, doctors believe that lowering high LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood is imperative to reducing the risk of developing hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Smoking as a Risk for Hypertension

Smokers are more likely to develop hypertension than non-smokers,4 so doctors recommend that patients diagnosed with hypertension refrain from smoking. Insurance companies and Medicare generally provide coverage for a specified number of smoking cessation sessions.

What You Can Do to Control Your High Blood Pressure

Since anxiety and stress contribute to increasing blood pressure (BP), practicing yoga and/or meditation may help you to lower it. Increasing weekly exercise and changing dietary intake may also help to lower your BP. However, if your systolic pressure is 180 mmHg or higher, you are at high risk for a heart attack or stroke. 

Doctors often prescribe—for patients known to have hypertension—a diuretic to aid the kidneys in eliminating the consequent excess water and sodium. An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor is also commonly prescribed.

Whatever methods you utilize to keep your blood pressure within normal range, it is vital to take action as early as possible to preserve your health.

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For questions and answers on HBP go to fighthighbloodpressure.com

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control. High blood pressure. Webpage: www.google.com

2. Aronow WS. (2017). Association of obesity with hypertension. Annals of Translational Medicine 5(17): 350. Webpage: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5599277/

3. World Health Organization (WHO). Media Centre - Physical inactivity a leading cause of disease and disability, warns WHO. Webpage: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/release23/en/

4. American Heart Association. Getting Active to Control High Blood Pressure. Webpage: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/MakeChangesThatMatter/Getting-Active-to-Control-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_301882_Article.jsp#.WrrLcy7wbIU

5. Stroke Association. (2017). Smoking and the Risk of Stroke. [Publication Code: A01F19] Webpage: https://www.stroke.org.uk/sites/default/files/smoking_and_the_risk_of_stroke.pdf

POSTED BY: 

candi@holisticstaffers.com