Blood Pressure and its Effects

About High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is defined in an adult as the pressure of the blood that's greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. What this means in lay terms is that the blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (a condition that leads to heart attack), stroke, kidney failure, etc., along with other risk factors.

Managing Pressure
Firstly try keeping your cool. Check your blood pressure regularly, of the people that have high blood pressure, 32% don't even know they have it and cause unnecessary stress and strain on their hearts. Most of this happens with you realizing it. Blood pressure tends to increase slightly with age, so it's a good idea to have your doctor check it at least once per year. It is no wonder that most people as the age progresses get more spiritually or religiously inclined.

Reduce your sodium intake
Too much sodium; found in table salt can aggravate high blood pressure by causing your body to retain excessive fluids. These fluids can make it harder for your heart to pump effectively and can irritate blood vessels that are already sensitive. Whether you suffer from Thyroid or not, its best to reduce the intake of salt and instead take iodine, if you must in an indirect form, such as in the form of either fish or eggplant. You may also resort to climbing stairs if you have this fetish for salt. Climbing stairs releases the good cholesterol in your body evading any ill effects of excessive sodium.

Limit cholesterol and fats
Too much dietary cholesterol and saturated fats can build up on the inner walls of blood vessels and cause unnecessary strain. Limit your daily cholesterol to no more than 100 mg of cholesterol per 1,000 calories of food. As far as possible avoid red meat and heavy cholesterol laden items. You may have some homemade fats in moderation, up to a teaspoon of homemade dairy fat but no more. Most people in their attempts of losing weight and decreasing their cholesterol, cut out on fats totally, leaving your joints devoid of the natural greasing that the progress in age has already decreased. Fats add that extra greasing to your joints and a complete no-no would mean that you are unnecessarily starving yourself of the fats that are required for your body!

Some additional tips
* Exercise regularly.
Regular exercise of any form, especially walking, if done religiously helps in lowering blood pressure as well as raises the levels of the "protective" HDL cholesterol (the kind that carries artery-clogging cholesterol out of your blood). Another good way of lowering your cholesterol would be climbing stairs.

The calf muscles are endowed with what is known as a second heart that releases the good cholesterol, during this form of exercise. The idea is to remain fit. Just make sure you consult with you physician before you start an exercise program and don't overdo it, especially when you first start out. Remember, Rome was not built in a day.

*Stop smoking.
If you smoke, stop right now! Smoking both raises your blood pressure and causes higher levels of artery-clogging cholesterol. If you really need a heavy voice, well work for it and please don't think smoking to be one of the mediums for this case.

* Take prescribed medications.
If your doctor prescribes medication, make sure you take it faithfully in addition to any dietary modifications and exercise programs recommended. Too often, people take medication irregularly, with the belief that they have seen it all in their life and don't have anything interesting to look forward to, anymore.

* As far as possible, don't avoid your morning walk. Walks and promenades in the early hours can replenish your body's dying oxygen like no one else would. If you must have a healthy heart and if you choose to live long get your walking shoes and march out immediately. The soles of our feet represent the various pressure points for the organs in our body. Walking enables that all these points are stimulated from time to time.

Should you experience any side effects at any step of the way while you take your medication, then stop right away and consult your physician. Take Heart, you have just one life to live, so live it well!