Blood pressure is the pressure of blood on the vessels in which it is contained. (normal ranges: systolic 100-140 mm of mercury, diastolic 60-100 mm of mercury. Average is 120/80 mm of mercury)

It is one of the most important parameter with which cardiac performance and stability of cardiovascular system is measured in an individual.

As elevated blood pressure (systolic more than 140 mm of mercury and diastolic more than 100 mm of mercury) is a worldwide phenomenon and related to much of morbidity and mortality as myocardial infarction (sudden death of cardiac tissue due to loss of blood flow to heart) and heart failure is in most instances due to hypertension (elevated blood pressure).

Controlling blood pressure is very easy and very rewarding in terms of health.

Following are the recommendations.

EXERCISE:

Exercise is the basic element in controlling hypertension. Most of the moderate hypertensive patients can be treated just on the exercise.

Exercise doesn’t mean pumping iron or doing strenuous weightlifting, merely half an hour walk, or cycling or swimming is enough to keep blood pressure in its limits.

Exercise increases the diameter of the blood vessels and heart rate, due to which more blood is pumped in less effort of heart, giving heart a time to enjoy less of a work load.

FOOD:

Decreasing salt content in the food is a mandatory step in controlling high blood pressure.

“no added salt” is one of the most common used phrase of physicians by which they mean that the food has its natural content of salt. While cooking food, no salt at all is added but still allowing food to retain its natural salt.

Why salt? Actually salt increases water content in the body due to its osmotic effect, which increases the amount of fluid in blood. Just as filling pipes with extra fluid harms the pipes,  at a similar principle, excess fluid in the body harm the blood vessels and increase blood pressure.

DRUGS:

There is a long list of drugs used therapeutically to treat hypertension and maintain blood pressure within limits. These drugs should only be used on prescription from physician and along with other modalities of treatment.

They include

a)      Beta adrenergic receptor blockers. For example atenolol, metoprolol.

b)      Calcium channel blockers. for example nifidipine, verapimil, diltiazem.

c)       Angiotensin converting enzyme blockers. For example enalapril, captopril

d)      Angiotensin receptor blockers. For example losartan, valsartan.

e)      Vasodilators. For example hydralizine, minoxidil.

REGULAR CHECKUPS:

High blood pressure is a silent killer and would not show itself until any complication has been created by its presence.

So regular checkups (at least once a year) and prior knowledge of its signs and symptoms is necessary for public, especially those who have a genetic background of having trait of high blood pressure in the family, as most of the high blood pressure patients (90%) have no obvious cause, called essential hypertension.

The single most common symptom is headache, which is throbbing and on the temporal sides of the head. It may be associated with nausea and vomiting.

If, present one should not delay a check up and get a reading of one’s blood pressure. Now a day’s automated blood pressure checking gadgets are available and they can be of great help in keeping a check on blood pressure.

If a reading comes higher than normal, schedule a meeting with your physician. It’s both good for your cardiac and mental health and peace.

Blood from the heart is carried to all parts of the body in vessels known as arteries. The force with which the blood is forced against the walls of these arteries is known as Blood Pressure. Normally, a heat beats about 60 to 70 times in one minute, and every time it beats it pumps blood into the arteries. When the hearts beats and pumps the blood, it is actually the time when our Blood Pressure is at its peak or is the highest. This state is also known as systolic pressure. Between each beat, when the heart is supposed to be at rest, the blood pressure significantly falls, and this state is termed as diastolic pressure.

The blood pressure is measured in terms of two numbers (such as 120/80 mmHg), and these two numbers are basically the systolic and diastolic pressures. The systolic pressure is the first or top number and the diastolic pressure is the second or bottom number.

Blood pressure of a person keeps on changing from time to time during the day. Our blood pressure is at the lowest when we are sleeping and eventually rises when we get up. Similarly, blood pressure changes when we are in different moods such as thrilled, anxious, depress, or active.

The normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80. However, when the level goes high such as 140/90 for instance, you are said to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure means that your heart works harder and your arteries are taking a beat. If the blood pressure remains up for a longer period of time, you are likely to get a heart attack, a stroke, or you may also suffer from kidney problems.

Hypertension is another name for High blood pressure. High blood pressure is also a Silent Killer because it tends to destroy your heart, kidneys, and blood vessels without even giving you any prior symptoms.

Though the symptoms of blood pressure do not show up, but you are advised to seek medical help if you suffer from unexplained severe headaches, feeling of light-headedness, nausea leading to severe headaches, and sudden changes in eye sight. Moreover, Chest pain and shortness of breath upon exertion could also be an alarming situation.

People suffering from High blood pressure can lower their blood pressure significantly by making slight changes in their life styles. With a little loss in weight and frequent exercise routine, high blood pressure can be controlled. However, in some cases people need regular medication to keep their blood pressure from getting too high.

People suffering from high blood pressure should make sure that they get their blood pressure checked on regular basis.