Blood Pressure
There is not one magic number which represents normal blood pressure. Very often doctors and other experts cannot even come to a consensus on an ideal blood pressure range for an adult. However it is normall accepted that somewhere between 110/70 and 125/80 is considered to be an average blood pressure reading for an adult. Though someone with naturally-occuring low blood pressure may be more in the range of 100/60. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 is considered high. Though as a person ages, this falls into the more normal range for people.
Blood does not circulate in an even stream throughout the body. Instead, it moves about in a repeated series of spurts. Therefore, the result is that pressure peaks in the blood vessels just following a heart beat and then ebbs while waiting for the next one. This process occurs continually.
The two blood pressure numbers indicate the pressures when the forces are at their peak and at their lowest ebb. The more vigorous the arteries are, the more they resist the blood's force and, therefore, the lower the blood pressure reading. As a person ages it is normal to suffer a weakening in the elasticity of the arteries. Therefore, the figures tend to rise. However, the lower reading number should still not exceed 90 until that person is at least sixty years of age.
Many studies looking at blood pressure in both caucasian and black people have found there is a higher prevalence of hypertension (High blood pressure) in black people. This has resulted in further research to determine whether this is a result of racial differences or simply related to dietary and socioeconomic factors.
Some people afflicted with high blood pressure may find it impossible to determine a the cause. They may be fit with a very healthy lifestyle yet their blood pressure continues to be inexplicably high. The name for this is Primary or essential high blood pressure. However, if elevated blood pressure is a result of an underlying medical condition, the name for that is Secondary High Blood Pressure.
Nearly twenty-five percent of people in the Western world have high blood pressure. Many people don’t appreciate the danger of a condition that, if left untreated, can lead to a kidney failure, heart attack, or stroke. In fact, there are great numbers of people unaware of their high blood pressure and are walking around as if with a lethal time bomb counting down the time inside of them.
By: Linda Brown
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Linda Brown contributes articles to several web sites, on health tips and wellness and health topics.
Monday, April 2, 2007
High Blood Pressure Treatment
In the past the treatment of hypertension or high blood pressure followed a very narrow approach. Currently, doctors are much more flexible about the way they treat hypertension or high blood pressure in their patients, preferring a much more patient-centered approach. For example, it is well-known that those people who have additional medical problems such as stroke, kidney disease, or cardiovascular damage present with their own set of individual conditions which require individualized treatment. As a result, it's important that any medical or drug treatment is carefully tailored to take into account their other conditions.
A change in lifestyle is the first treatment of choice for those suffering from hypertension. For patients who smoke, are overweight, do not exercise, or lead very stressful lives, sometimes these factors are all that need to be addressed. Once they make the requisite lifestyle alterations, their blood pressure is reduced to a more normal limit. As long as they continue with the altered lifestyle, they should not have to be concerned that their hypertension will return. However, it is still advisable to carefully monitor it on a regular basis.
Some of the medications used to treat high blood pressure include:
* Minoxidil
* Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
* Diuretics
* Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor blockers
* Beta-blockers
* Clonidine
* Alpha-blockers
Unfortunately it is often found that one drug which treats a particular disease, interacts adversely to another drug beingprescribed to treat a different condition. Often the most difficult challenge is getting the right balance when prescribing medication to those suffering a variety of different medical conditions.
Clinical trials can be effective for people who find their drug regimen unsuitable. Many doctors will approach specific patients with whom they are having difficulty treating with conventional drugs, about participating in clinical trials for emerging medications. These are drugs not yet available to the general public, and it can be very tempting to try a new treatment. This may be especially so for someone who is not responding to their current treatment. Many people who have agreed to participate in clinical trials have found great success and satisfaction.
By: Barbara Smith
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Barbara Smith contributes to several web magazines, on healthy living and wellness and health themes.
A change in lifestyle is the first treatment of choice for those suffering from hypertension. For patients who smoke, are overweight, do not exercise, or lead very stressful lives, sometimes these factors are all that need to be addressed. Once they make the requisite lifestyle alterations, their blood pressure is reduced to a more normal limit. As long as they continue with the altered lifestyle, they should not have to be concerned that their hypertension will return. However, it is still advisable to carefully monitor it on a regular basis.
Some of the medications used to treat high blood pressure include:
* Minoxidil
* Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
* Diuretics
* Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor blockers
* Beta-blockers
* Clonidine
* Alpha-blockers
Unfortunately it is often found that one drug which treats a particular disease, interacts adversely to another drug beingprescribed to treat a different condition. Often the most difficult challenge is getting the right balance when prescribing medication to those suffering a variety of different medical conditions.
Clinical trials can be effective for people who find their drug regimen unsuitable. Many doctors will approach specific patients with whom they are having difficulty treating with conventional drugs, about participating in clinical trials for emerging medications. These are drugs not yet available to the general public, and it can be very tempting to try a new treatment. This may be especially so for someone who is not responding to their current treatment. Many people who have agreed to participate in clinical trials have found great success and satisfaction.
By: Barbara Smith
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Barbara Smith contributes to several web magazines, on healthy living and wellness and health themes.
Blood Pressure Basics
There are no hard and fast figures which represent a normal blood pressure. And very often doctors and other experts cannot even decide between them what an ideal blood pressure range is for an adult.
However it is usually agreed that somewhere between 110/70 and 125/80 is considered to be an average blood pressure for a grown person, though someone with naturally low blood pressure may be closer to a range of 100/60
A blood pressure of 140/90 is considered to be high, though as a person gets older, this falls into the more normal range for people.
Blood doesn’t circulate in an even stream around the body, but travels in a constant series of spurts. Therefore the pressure peaks in the blood vessels just after a heart beat and then ebbs until the next one. This is a continuous process.
The two blood pressure figures represent the pressures when the forces are at their peak and at their lowest ebb. The stronger the arteries are, the more they resist the force of the blood and the lower the blood pressure.
As a person gets older, and the elasticity of their arteries weakens, the figures tend to rise. However the lower figure should still be under 90 until that person at least reaches their sixties.
Many studies looking at blood pressure in both black and white people have found there is a higher prevalence of hypertension (High blood pressure) in black people than there is in white. This has led to further research in determining whether this is racially determined or just based on socioeconomic and dietary factors.
Some people suffering high blood pressure may find they just can’t pinpoint a cause for their problem. They may be fit, have a very healthy lifestyle yet their blood pressure remains consistently high for no apparent reason. This is called Primary or essential high blood pressure. However if the raised blood pressure is due to an underlying medical problem, it is known as Secondary High Blood Pressure.
Nearly one in four people in the Western world have high blood pressure. Many people don’t appreciate it is a dangerous condition that can lead to a heart attack kidney failure or stroke if it is left untreated. Yet there are thousands of people unaware they have high blood pressure who are walking around with a lethal time bomb ticking away inside them.
However it is usually agreed that somewhere between 110/70 and 125/80 is considered to be an average blood pressure for a grown person, though someone with naturally low blood pressure may be closer to a range of 100/60
A blood pressure of 140/90 is considered to be high, though as a person gets older, this falls into the more normal range for people.
Blood doesn’t circulate in an even stream around the body, but travels in a constant series of spurts. Therefore the pressure peaks in the blood vessels just after a heart beat and then ebbs until the next one. This is a continuous process.
The two blood pressure figures represent the pressures when the forces are at their peak and at their lowest ebb. The stronger the arteries are, the more they resist the force of the blood and the lower the blood pressure.
As a person gets older, and the elasticity of their arteries weakens, the figures tend to rise. However the lower figure should still be under 90 until that person at least reaches their sixties.
Many studies looking at blood pressure in both black and white people have found there is a higher prevalence of hypertension (High blood pressure) in black people than there is in white. This has led to further research in determining whether this is racially determined or just based on socioeconomic and dietary factors.
Some people suffering high blood pressure may find they just can’t pinpoint a cause for their problem. They may be fit, have a very healthy lifestyle yet their blood pressure remains consistently high for no apparent reason. This is called Primary or essential high blood pressure. However if the raised blood pressure is due to an underlying medical problem, it is known as Secondary High Blood Pressure.
Nearly one in four people in the Western world have high blood pressure. Many people don’t appreciate it is a dangerous condition that can lead to a heart attack kidney failure or stroke if it is left untreated. Yet there are thousands of people unaware they have high blood pressure who are walking around with a lethal time bomb ticking away inside them.
Low Blood Pressure Symptoms
When the pressure of the blood that is exerted against the walls of the blood vessels after and during every heart beat is lower than normal, you have low blood pressure. This can result in insufficient blood flow to the important body organs like the heart and the brain. And this can lead to various low blood pressure symptoms.
You may detect low blood pressure symptoms during the use of various drugs such as those used for surgery, anti-anxiety agents, treatment for high blood pressure, diuretics, heart medicines, antidepressants, narcotics, alcohol, and other types of drugs. You may notice the low blood pressure symptoms also because of dehydration, heart failure, or heart attack, anaphylaxis, shock, diabetes (especially in advanced stage), etc.
The most common low blood pressure symptoms are dizziness and lightheartedness. But there are other low blood pressure symptoms, and they are: a tendency to faint, black or maroon stools, chest pain, wheezing, irregular heart beat, consistent high fever, head ache, back pain, or stiff neck. If you happen to spot any of the low blood pressure symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Because of low blood pressure not enough blood reaches to all parts of the body and thus the cells do not receive the correct amount of oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, the waste products in the blood are not removed.
Don’t overlook the risk of low blood pressure if you cough with phlegm or if you are suffering from prolonged diarrhea, or if you are unable to eat or drink, or if you experience burning urinary symptoms or even if you are taking new medicines, because all these are low blood pressure symptoms.
When you start experiencing low blood pressure symptoms remember that the brain is the first organ to malfunction in such situations because it’s located at the top of the body and as a result you will experience dizziness or even fainting. You should be aware that if you don’t treat low blood pressure seriously it might lead to brain damage.
When you have low blood pressure, blood is not adequately supplied to the heart muscles and therefore breathlessness and chest tightness forms one of the common low blood pressure symptoms. When you have prolonged low blood pressure all organs start malfunctioning and this leads to shock.
You must take precautionary measures to avoid the situation from getting worse when you have low blood pressure and you must take your doctor’s advice. You must try to be more physically active and must try to lose weight. You should also maintain a healthy diet and limit your alcohol intake. All these will help you to keep your low blood pressure symptoms under control.
In spite of all the harmful aspects of low blood pressure, researchers say that it is better than high blood pressure because people experiencing low blood pressure symptoms tend to live longer than people suffering from high blood pressure symptoms do.
If you suspect you are suffering with low blood pressure you should consult your primary care physician straight away.
By: Paul J Johnson -
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comPaul Johnson. Sign up for a Free High Blood Pressure Newsletter at Natural Blood Pressure Reduction or for more articles click here Blood Pressure Articles.
You may detect low blood pressure symptoms during the use of various drugs such as those used for surgery, anti-anxiety agents, treatment for high blood pressure, diuretics, heart medicines, antidepressants, narcotics, alcohol, and other types of drugs. You may notice the low blood pressure symptoms also because of dehydration, heart failure, or heart attack, anaphylaxis, shock, diabetes (especially in advanced stage), etc.
The most common low blood pressure symptoms are dizziness and lightheartedness. But there are other low blood pressure symptoms, and they are: a tendency to faint, black or maroon stools, chest pain, wheezing, irregular heart beat, consistent high fever, head ache, back pain, or stiff neck. If you happen to spot any of the low blood pressure symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Because of low blood pressure not enough blood reaches to all parts of the body and thus the cells do not receive the correct amount of oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, the waste products in the blood are not removed.
Don’t overlook the risk of low blood pressure if you cough with phlegm or if you are suffering from prolonged diarrhea, or if you are unable to eat or drink, or if you experience burning urinary symptoms or even if you are taking new medicines, because all these are low blood pressure symptoms.
When you start experiencing low blood pressure symptoms remember that the brain is the first organ to malfunction in such situations because it’s located at the top of the body and as a result you will experience dizziness or even fainting. You should be aware that if you don’t treat low blood pressure seriously it might lead to brain damage.
When you have low blood pressure, blood is not adequately supplied to the heart muscles and therefore breathlessness and chest tightness forms one of the common low blood pressure symptoms. When you have prolonged low blood pressure all organs start malfunctioning and this leads to shock.
You must take precautionary measures to avoid the situation from getting worse when you have low blood pressure and you must take your doctor’s advice. You must try to be more physically active and must try to lose weight. You should also maintain a healthy diet and limit your alcohol intake. All these will help you to keep your low blood pressure symptoms under control.
In spite of all the harmful aspects of low blood pressure, researchers say that it is better than high blood pressure because people experiencing low blood pressure symptoms tend to live longer than people suffering from high blood pressure symptoms do.
If you suspect you are suffering with low blood pressure you should consult your primary care physician straight away.
By: Paul J Johnson -
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comPaul Johnson. Sign up for a Free High Blood Pressure Newsletter at Natural Blood Pressure Reduction or for more articles click here Blood Pressure Articles.
Blood Pressure: An Overview
By: Taximan
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure exerted by the circulating blood on the walls of the arteries, veins and chambers of the heart. The pressure of blood is measured in the context of systolic and diastolic activities. When the ventricles in the heart contract, it is termed as a systolic activity, while the relaxing ventricles mark a diastolic activity.
The pressure of blood is highest during the systole activity and lowest during the diastole activity. The unit of measuring blood pressure is millimeters. A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg.
A normal healthy person maintains the blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg. A deviation from this normal reading can result in a blood pressure disorder. There are basically two abnormal conditions of blood pressure. They are known as high blood pressure or hypertension and low blood pressure or hypotension.
High blood pressure is often termed as 'a silent killer'. You might be suffering from a high blood pressure for a long period of time and not know it at all. When a person develops high blood pressure, it usually lasts for lifetime.
Due to certain nerve impulses, the arteries become dilated or contracted. If the arteries become contracted, the passage of blood is hampered and it increases the pressure of blood. The condition causes high blood pressure or hypertension. This condition strains your heart and can even damage your blood vessels. If the vessels get damaged, the blood supply can further affect various body organs connected to the damaged vessels.
The human body generally bears and handles this sudden increase of pressure for a long period of time. This is one of the sole reasons for the fact that you can live your whole life, without any ill-effects or symptoms, from high blood pressure.
There are several factors which result in essential hypertension. One of the major factors is high salt intake. Other factors that can contribute to the cause of essential hypertension are tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, diabetes mellitus, a sedentary lifestyle and genetic causes.
Secondary hypertension amounts to at least 5 % of the cases of hypertension. The factors contributing to secondary hypertension are pregnancy, a slow pulse, drugs, kidney diseases, certain types of cancers, malformed aorta and aortic vale disease.
High blood pressure largely remains undetected in its first stage of occurrence. A person would probably never know about it. But if the condition of high blood pressure prolongs, it can cause serious damages to the various body organs. High blood pressure can directly affect the person in the form of kidney failure, congestive heart failure or heart attack.
Damage to adrenal glands can also lead to low blood pressure conditions. Damage to adrenal glands affects the production of aldosterone in your body. This hormone controls the salt amounts in the body. If the aldosterone hormone gets affected, it leads to the loss of salt from your body, further resulting in low blood pressure. This causes dizziness when you stand up. Low blood pressure can also be caused due to the usage of diuretics.
A person with low blood pressure shows symptoms of chest pain, headache, prolonged diarrhea or vomiting. The person also suffers from burning sensation while urination, stiff neck, high fever and irregular heartbeat. The person, at times, suffers from shortness of breath and a cough with phlegm.
Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com
Taximan writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Blood Pressure issues please visit www.blood-pressure-resources.com/bloodpressure/ and for additional Blood pressure related articles please visit the following article page www.blood-pressure-resources.com/bloodpressure-articles/
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure exerted by the circulating blood on the walls of the arteries, veins and chambers of the heart. The pressure of blood is measured in the context of systolic and diastolic activities. When the ventricles in the heart contract, it is termed as a systolic activity, while the relaxing ventricles mark a diastolic activity.
The pressure of blood is highest during the systole activity and lowest during the diastole activity. The unit of measuring blood pressure is millimeters. A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg.
A normal healthy person maintains the blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg. A deviation from this normal reading can result in a blood pressure disorder. There are basically two abnormal conditions of blood pressure. They are known as high blood pressure or hypertension and low blood pressure or hypotension.
High Blood Pressure/ Hypertension
A person is known to suffer from high blood pressure when their measurement of blood pressure increases over that of a normal reading. A normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. When this blood pressure increases to, say 140/ 90 mmHg, the person is known to have high blood pressure.High blood pressure is often termed as 'a silent killer'. You might be suffering from a high blood pressure for a long period of time and not know it at all. When a person develops high blood pressure, it usually lasts for lifetime.
Why High Blood Pressure?
Your heart pumps the blood and supplies it to the various organs of your body via arteries. The arteries, when leaving your heart, narrow into arterioles. The arterioles further narrow themselves into capillaries. These capillaries supply oxygen and nutrients to the various body organs.Due to certain nerve impulses, the arteries become dilated or contracted. If the arteries become contracted, the passage of blood is hampered and it increases the pressure of blood. The condition causes high blood pressure or hypertension. This condition strains your heart and can even damage your blood vessels. If the vessels get damaged, the blood supply can further affect various body organs connected to the damaged vessels.
The human body generally bears and handles this sudden increase of pressure for a long period of time. This is one of the sole reasons for the fact that you can live your whole life, without any ill-effects or symptoms, from high blood pressure.
Two Forms of High Blood Pressure
There are two forms of high blood pressure, essential hypertension and secondary hypertension. Around 95 % of hypertension cases are related to essential hypertension. The cause of essential hypertension is multifold though.There are several factors which result in essential hypertension. One of the major factors is high salt intake. Other factors that can contribute to the cause of essential hypertension are tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, diabetes mellitus, a sedentary lifestyle and genetic causes.
Secondary hypertension amounts to at least 5 % of the cases of hypertension. The factors contributing to secondary hypertension are pregnancy, a slow pulse, drugs, kidney diseases, certain types of cancers, malformed aorta and aortic vale disease.
High blood pressure largely remains undetected in its first stage of occurrence. A person would probably never know about it. But if the condition of high blood pressure prolongs, it can cause serious damages to the various body organs. High blood pressure can directly affect the person in the form of kidney failure, congestive heart failure or heart attack.
Low Blood Pressure/ Hypotension
In the medical terms, low blood pressure is called hypotension. A person is said to have low blood pressure disorder, if his blood pressure falls below the normal reading of 120/80 mmHg.Why Low Blood Pressure?
There are many causes of low blood pressure. Among the common cause include acute illness. The condition can be characterized with the symptoms such as severe blood loss, infection, fluid loss or damage to the heart. The age-factor plays an important role in low blood pressure. Increasing age causes your arteries to stiffen and cause a drop in the pressure of blood.Damage to adrenal glands can also lead to low blood pressure conditions. Damage to adrenal glands affects the production of aldosterone in your body. This hormone controls the salt amounts in the body. If the aldosterone hormone gets affected, it leads to the loss of salt from your body, further resulting in low blood pressure. This causes dizziness when you stand up. Low blood pressure can also be caused due to the usage of diuretics.
A person with low blood pressure shows symptoms of chest pain, headache, prolonged diarrhea or vomiting. The person also suffers from burning sensation while urination, stiff neck, high fever and irregular heartbeat. The person, at times, suffers from shortness of breath and a cough with phlegm.
Normal is healthy!
Neither high blood pressure, nor low blood pressure is good for your body and health. You should get your blood pressure checked regularly for either of these two disorders. The proper treatment and control of your blood pressure will definitely enable you to live a healthy and happy life!Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com
Taximan writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Blood Pressure issues please visit www.blood-pressure-resources.com/bloodpressure/ and for additional Blood pressure related articles please visit the following article page www.blood-pressure-resources.com/bloodpressure-articles/
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