Blood pressure is said to be the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries when it pumped from the heart to all parts of the body. In a healthy body system the pressure applied by the heart, determined by nature, is sufficient for the blood to reach the entire body. When the pressure of the blood on the arteries increases, then such a situation is called high blood pressure.

Factors Which May Affect Blood Pressure:

•    Level of water and salt in the body

•    Condition of your blood vessels, nervous system and kidneys

•    Levels of different hormones in the body

•    Advancing age

The Risk of High Blood Pressure Increases if You:

•    Are obese

•    Consume too much salt

•    Are often nervous or stressed

•    Are diabetic

•    Genetically inclined

•    In the habit of smoking

High blood pressure is also caused by other prevailing medical conditions or medicines. This is called secondary hypertension and it may be caused due to:

•    Autoimmune disorders

•    Kidney diseases

•    Alcohol abuse

•    Cocaine use

•    Diabetes

•    Thyroid disorders

•    Cushing syndrome

•    Adrenal tumors

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure:

Usually there are no advance warnings. However, you may keep an eye out for:

•    Lethargy

•    Buzzing noise in the ear

•    Headache

•    Confusion

•    Problems in vision

•    Bleeding from the nose

•    Uneven heartbeat

If you experience any of the above symptoms, call your health care professional immediately.

Tests to Determine High Blood Pressure:

Repeated blood pressure checks at regular intervals are needed so that the diagnosis can be confirmed.

•    Blood tests

•    Electrocardiogram

•    Echocardiogram

•    Ultrasound of kidneys

•    Urinalysis

Medical Treatment for High Blood Pressure:

The aim of the treatment is to lower the blood pressure and to reduce the risk of further complications. Medications which are usually administered to reduce high blood pressure are:

Beta blockers

Alpha blockers

Central alpha agonists

Calcium channel blockers

Vasodilators

Renin inhibitors

Diuretics

Apart from Taking Medications, the other Important Factors are:

•    Switching to a heart-healthy diet which should include potassium and fiber

•    Diets rich in fruits, vegetables and diary products of the low-fat variety should be preferred

•    Drinking plenty of water

•    Exercising regularly for at least 30 minutes a day

•    To discontinue smoking with immediate effect

•    Significant reduction in alcohol intake

•    Reduce salt intake to less than 1500 mg per day

•    Reducing stress

•    Avoiding stress related areas

•    Take steps to reduce weight

•    Diabetics should keep blood sugar under control

Right medications and proper lifestyle changes as directed by your health care professional should keep high blood pressure under control.

Since high blood pressure is not a trail blazer as far as the symptoms are concerned, it is prudent to regularly check the blood pressure. The trick is to go searching for it rather than wait for it to reveal itself. If you return empty handed then it is good news and if you do find it you are at least forewarned and can take corrective steps immediately. But if you wait for it, then high blood pressure normally does not come alone. When it decides to reveal itself a good amount of harm may already have been done, which may then require some undoing.

Just to give an idea what high blood pressure can lead to:

•    Blood vessel damage

•    Brain damage

•    Heart attack

•    Chronic kidney disease

•    Heart failure

•    Stroke

•    Vision loss

•    Hypertensive heart disease

•    Peripheral artery disease

•    Pregnancy complications

If your health care provider is of the opinion that the possibility of you developing a heart disease is more than normal or if the problem of heart diseases runs in the family, then you need to be more than concerned. Heart diseases should not be taken lightly or ignored or postponed for another day lest it should be too late.

What is a Heart Disease?

Blood is the main requirement for all the muscles in the body to function properly. Through blood, the oxygen and nutrients are absorbed by the muscles and are utilized for their healthy functioning. Heart is also a muscle and its requirements are also the same. But, the heart is a much more important organ as it receives and supplies blood to all the parts of the body. This important function puts tremendous amount of pressure on the heart but a healthy heart is designed for such pressure work. If the heart is healthy, the blood flow will be smooth.

Trouble starts when the heart is in trouble due to various reasons. One of them is that the blood vessels which supply blood to the heart start narrowing due to the deposition of cholesterol. Initially, small amounts of cholesterol, called as plaques, start to accumulate on the inside walls of the blood vessels. This situation is the beginning of a serious complication. However, if corrective steps are taken to get rid of the plaque during this stage, then the danger is avoided. On the other hand, if the plaque continues to deposit, a time comes when the passage way of the blood vessels become small and allow less amount of blood to flow to the heart. This less supply of blood to the heart causes heart pain (angina). A step further and the cholesterol deposits may burst, leading to a blood clot and effectively stopping the blood flow at the point of blood clot. The part of the muscle, so deprived of blood, dies. This condition is called a heart attack.

Factors Leading to Heart Disease:

•    High blood pressure

•    High cholesterol

•    Smoking

•    Heredity

•    Diabetes

•    Obesity

•    Peripheral artery diseases

•    Sedentary lifestyle

•    Diet consisting of fatty foods

•    Excessive alcohol consumption

How to know that you have a Heart Disease?

•    Pain in the chest region

•    Difficulty in breathing

•    Sweating

•    Indigestion

•    Pain in upper abdominal region

•    Nausea

•    Back ache or shoulder ache

How to prevent Heart Diseases?

•    Regular blood pressure checks

•    Significant reduction in smoking

•    Taking corrective measures to reduce cholesterol levels

•    Keeping diabetes under control with exercise and proper medication

•    Incorporating a healthy exercise routine as a daily necessity to reduce weight

•    Modifying eating contents and habits

•    Taking meals at the proper time

•    Cutting down on fatty and oily food

•    Limiting sodium and sugar intake

•    Alcohol consumption to be cut down and stopped altogether gradually

•    Any other steps to be taken as advised by your health care professional

Tips for a Healthy Heart:

Your cholesterol levels should be regularly monitored by your health care professional. If your LDL cholesterol level is beyond the acceptable limits, then your physician may prescribe medications and recommend special diets. Along with this, an exercise routine may also be recommended to decrease the cholesterol levels and reduce the possibility of heart diseases.

Proper exercise and diet with the help of your health care professional will certainly take care of the extra flab. This routine will help build healthy muscles and put a smile on your face every time you get appreciative glances!