HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure normally referred to as hypertension is a chronic medical condition in which the force of the blood against the arteries is consistently abnormally high and If blood pressure rises and stays high overtime it can damage the body in many ways and may eventually cause health problems. Hypertension is considered a major public health problem, it is known as the silent killer because it does not usually come with symptoms but the warning signs are:

1. Headache
2. Sweating
3. Shortness of breath
4. Rapid pulse
5. Dizziness
6. Nausea
7. Vomiting
8. Palpitation
9. Blurred and double vision 
10. Feeling of pulsation in the neck or head

To diagnose your blood pressure, you need a device called sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor, the test is better done in the morning as you step down from the bed and must be repeated throughout the day for accuracy, in order to make a correct diagnosis. Sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor comes in different shapes, types and sizes. It's periodic usage tells how much pressure it takes to move the flow of blood through the arteries, it help determine; your state of health and enable you to take charge of your health situations.

Basic guidelines for blood pressure numbers are:

Normal -  120/80mmHg

Pre hypertension -  120-139/80-89

Stage 1-  140-159/90-99

Stage 2 -  160/100
Study the table below: under (know your blood pressure)

Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in the arteries. It is the narrowing of the arteries that makes blood circulation through the vessels difficult, as a result blood pressure becomes elevated.

Whether blood pressure is high, low or normal depends on several factors suchlike:

1. The output from the heart
2. The resistance to blood flow of the blood vessels
3. The volume of blood
4. Blood distribution to various organs

All of these factors can be affected by the activities of the nervous system and certain hormones. 

Types of hypertension

1. Primary hypertension

This is a high blood pressure for which there is a no known cause, but result in hardening of the arteries, risk factors have been identified as; smoking, stress, obesity, drug abuse, excessive use of stimulants and high sodium intake. 

2. Secondary hypertension

This is high blood pressure that arises due to underlying health problem, such as hormonal abnormality, constricted blood vessels or have lost elasticity from a build up of fatty plaque on the inside wall of the vessel. 

Complications of high blood pressure

1. Heart failure
2. Stroke
3. Obesity
4. Diabetes
5. Hyperthyroidism
6. Coronary heart disease
7. Kidney disorders
8. Poor kidney function resulting in retention of excess sodium and fluid in the body
9. Arteriosclerosis I.e hardening of the artery walls 

The main indicator for high blood pressure  

Increased vascular resistance with or without reduced vascular elasticity

Other factors:

1. Increased blood viscosity
2. Increased cholesterol crystals
3. Increased blood fat
4. Increased liver fat
5. Increase in low density lipoprotein
6. Increase in total cholesterol

Know your blood pressure
Blood pressure is represented as a pair of numbers and measured in millimeters of mercury mmHg with systolic number above the diastolic number, the combined blood pressure reading is expressed as 120/80 mmHg. (The mmHg is the units used to measure blood pressure)

Systolic - refers to blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood into the blood vessels

Diastolic - refers to blood pressure when the heart is at rest between the beats

Knowing your blood pressure number is important it helps you put your blood pressure in check and this may help prevent damage to your body organs.

Stability

Blood pressure does not stay the same all the time, it lowers as you sleep and rises when you wake up, it also rises when you are excited, nervous, or active. if your numbers stay above normal most of the time, you are at risk of health problems, the risk grows as blood pressure numbers rises. 

Controlling your blood pressure

As we get older, our arteries get harder and lose their elasticity, this is not good, because arteries need to be elastic and flexible to efficiently deliver blood. 

People with high blood pressure can take steps to control it and reduce their risk for related health problems.

Treatment

1. Following a healthy lifestyle
2. Dietary change
3. Exercise
4. Living a stress free life
5. Herbal therapytherapy
6. Eat a low sodium diet
7. Water therapy
8. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
9. IncreaseIncrease your potassium intake
10. Acupuncture 

Food that controls high blood pressure

1. Cucumber
2. Celery
3. Banana
4. Parsley
5. Watermelon
6. Seeds and nuts
7. Broccoli
8. Papaya
9. Cayenne
10. Grapes
11. Onion
12. Beetroot

Herbs and supplements

1. Garlic and honey
2. Turmeric
3. Ginger
4. Omega 3 fatty acids
5. Flaxseeds
6. Cordyceps
7. Calcium techniques

Healthy tips

1. Get adequate sleep
2. Take lots water
3. Reduce stress
4. Daily walk (exercise)
5. Coughing exercise
6. Breathing techniques