High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is very important to maintain a health and enhanced overall well-being. Blood pressure is the force that is exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels. It is typical for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day, but if stays high, then high blood pressure is experienced. The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. Medical experts agree that the normal blood pressure is between 110/70 and 125/80. When a blood pressure is high, it may damage the blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. These conditions may lead to heart attack, stroke, and other serious problems. Hypertension is often called a “silent killer” because it does not cause symptoms while it causing the said damages.
About 90-95 percent of the causes of hypertension is unknown. But several factor may lead to high blood pressure like obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, family background of high blood pressure, eating too much salt, and getting older. One's blood pressure may also rise if he or she lives a sedentary lifestyle and is not eating sufficient potassium and calcium. Hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) or thickening of the artery wall, and too much contraction of the small arteries may also cause hypertension.
High blood pressure does not usually cause symptoms that is why this ailment can go undetected for many years. This may result in progressive damage to major organs like the heart, kidneys, liver, and blood vessels. In addition to these conditions, high blood pressure can cause the tiny capillaries in the eye to bleed. However, symptoms of high blood pressure are noticeable in some people. These symptoms may include headache, blurred vision, nausea, and chronic fatigue.

Treatment for high blood pressure depends on how high the blood pressure is. Health conditions like diabetes, or whether any organs have been damaged are critical in treating high blood pressure. Individuals with high blood pressure may lower their blood pressure by making healthy changes in their daily activities and food regimens. Medication can be taken if those lifestyle changes don't work.
Here are some of the lifestyle changes that are essential in preventing high blood pressure
Lose extra weight
Eat less salt
Exercise
Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women and lighter-weight men
Get 3,500 mg of potassium in your diet every day. Fresh, unprocessed whole foods have the most potassium. These foods include meat, fish, nonfat and low-fat dairy products, and many fruits and vegetables.
Consume diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and is low in fat
High blood pressure is a health ailment that many have taken for granted. This condition took the lives of over 40,000 Americans in 2002 alone and about one in three adults suffer from high blood pressure. People who are concerned about their health should pay attention to their blood pressure. But before making major adjustments in one's lifestyle, individuals who wish to lower or maintain their blood pressure should seek the approval of doctors and other health experts. With the proper lifestyle and food regimen, high blood pressure may not be a problem.