High blood pressure or Hypertension is called the “silent killer”. Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, which is evident from the data that one third of the 50 million Americans with the condition are unaware of the risks due to high blood pressure. The risk lies in the long term damage; the ailment can cause to your heart, brain, kidneys and eyes.

Have you ever had your blood pressure checked, and then wondered what the numbers mean? Let us take a closer look at blood pressure numbers and gain better understanding of its risks.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood Pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps through the arteries and the circulatory system.

What is the normal value of Blood Pressure?

Your doctor will give you two numbers as a measure of blood pressure.  A typical ‘normal’ blood pressure reading is 120 / 80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). Blood pressure normally varies during the day. It rises during activity such as walking, running and decreases with rest.

What do the two Blood Pressure Numbers Mean?

The top number (120) is Systolic pressure: It is the amount of pressure your heart generates when pumping blood out through your arteries. This creates the heart beat that you can hear or feel. The bottom number (80) is Diastolic pressure: It is the amount of pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest (between the beats).

How do I know if I am suffering with High Blood Pressure?

You can check your blood pressure with the sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitoring device: Compare your blood pressure against the different levels of blood pressure recommended by American Heart Association:

Remember: High Blood pressure is also called Hypertension

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

As we have already discussed that most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms. Although a few people may suffer with following symptoms:

• headache
• Fatigue
• Nosebleed
• Breathlessness
• tinnitus(Ringing in Ears)
• sleepiness
• Blurred vision
• confusion
• profuse sweating
• vomiting
• low libido or lack of sexual desire

What are the risk factors of high blood pressure?

Uncontrollable risk factors are:

• Family history
• Age ( after 35)
• Race
• Women after menopause

The controllable risk factors are:

• Overweight or obesity
• Sedentary life style or lack of exercise
• Excessive salt intake
• Lack of potassium in your diet
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Smoking
• Stress
• Lack of sleep

Does high blood pressure affect kids too?

Yes, Journal of the American Medical Association reports that doctors found about 2 million U.S. kids and teens as young as 3 years old are suffering with hypertension.  Major reasons include overweight, race and heredity.  Children are at risk for hypertension if they exceed the following levels:

• Ages three to five: 116/76 mm Hg
• Ages six to nine: 122/78 mm Hg
• Ages 10 to 12: 126/82 mm Hg
• Ages 13 to 15: 136/86 mm Hg

Researchers do not have the complete understanding of root causes and are still working on it.

Why is High Blood Pressure harmful to my body?

High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder and harder to pump enough blood and oxygen to your body’s cells thereby increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, eye damage, and atherosclerosis in long term.

What are the natural treatments to treat or control High blood pressure?

The best strategy is to begin with little changes in your lifestyle such as weight control, diet changes and exercise. If your blood pressure has not decreased after 3-6 months, consult your physician and he may prescribe a medication. Here’s what you can do to help yourself:

Diet: Eat nutritionally balanced diet including fruits and vegetable and low fat dairy products.

Salt restriction: Avoid salty foods such as cured meat, snack foods and canned or prepared foods. You can buy the salts that have lower sodium and higher potassium.

Weight loss: If your body mass Index (BMI) is more than 25, a loss of as few as 10 pounds (4.5kg) may reduce your blood pressure significantly.

Exercise: Regular exercise helps to lower blood pressure even sometimes without weight loss.

Stop smoking: Smoking in combination with high blood pressure greatly increases your risk of artery damage and hence increases chances of heart attack.

Limit alcohol Consumption: Drinking more than 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor, 8 ounces of wine or 24 ounces of beer a day can increase your blood pressure.

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