High Blood Pressure....

You may already know that high blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the leading risk factors for heart attack and stroke, but do you know why?

.....The heart and blood vessels together form the cardiovascular system, and a defect in either one is bound to affect the other. ...

The following information can help you learn about what blood pressure is and how high blood pressure can affect your cardiovascular health.

Apa itu high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels.

When you have your blood pressure checked, you'll notice that the measurement is given as two separate numbers, 110/70 for instance.

The top number refers to the pressure in your arteries when your heart is pumping (systolic pressure).

The lower number refers to the pressure in your arteries when the heart is resting (diastolic). Blood pressure changes throughout the day depending on your activity, stress level and other factors.

High blood pressure is usually defined as blood pressure greater than 140/90 that fails to come down regardless of your activities.

High blood pressure has virtually no noticeable side effects in its early stage. That is why everyone should have their blood pressure checked annually (if the results are normal), or every few months (if the results are borderline or high)...... Sadly, all too often the first "sign" of hypertension is a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problem.

Effects On The Heart

When blood pressure is too high and remains that way, arterial walls become weakened and more prone to atherosclerosis (a build up of fatty substances on the inner walls of the arteries).

The heart must then work harder to try to pump oxygenated blood through the clogged arteries.

The clogged arteries are also more prone to blood clots that can block the flow of blood entirely. Excess blood pressure can also cause arteries to bulge (aneurysm) or burst (hemorrhage).

Controlling Your Blood Pressure

The first step in blood pressure control is regular blood pressure checks.

If you are diagnosed as having high blood pressure, follow your doctor's instructions faithfully.

Your treatment plan may include exercise and diet recommendations as well as medications to lower blood pressure if needed. We still don't know how to prevent high blood pressure. We can, fortunately, learn how to control it.

Living With Hypertension.....
Tips for Managing High Blood Pressure)

If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you already know that it is one of the leading, but most easily controllable, risk factors for heart disease and stroke. By following your doctor's recommendations and using these guidelines for blood pressure control, you can manage your blood pressure and lead a full and active life.

Reduce Sodium
Too much sodium (commonly found in table salt) can aggravate high blood pressure by causing your body to retain excess fluids.

These excess fluids can make it harder for your heart to pump effectively and can irritate already sensitive blood vessels..

If you suffer from hypertension, you will probably be advised to cut down on added salt and to avoid high sodium foods such as snack chips, processed meats, and cured or smoked products,ikan masin, budu, pekasam and cencalok....etc.

Limit Cholesterol and Fats
Too much dietary cholesterol and saturated fats (the kind that stay hard at room temperature) can build up on the inner walls of blood vessels, causing strain on both the heart and the blood vessels themselves.

Limit your daily cholesterol to no more than 100 mg. of cholesterol per 1,000 calories of food. Restrict saturated fats to no more than 10% of your daily calories.

Exercise Regularly
Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to help lower blood pressure as well as raise layers of "protective" HDL cholesterol (the kind that carries artery-clogging cholesterol out of the blood).

Stop Smoking
If you smoke, stop. Smoking not only raises blood pressure, but also damages arterial walls. Smoking is also linked to higher levels of artery-clogging cholesterol.

Take Prescribed Medications
If diet and exercise fail to lower your blood pressure to safe levels, your doctor may prescribe daily medication. Take your medication faithfully.

If you experience side effects, don't stop your medication.Some of the ubat can cause "Erectile Dysfunction"...so inform your doctor... notify your doctor who can recommend an alternate type of medicine.

Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly
The importance of regular blood pressure screenings can't be over-emphasized. For those who suffer from high blood pressure, check-ups can help track your progress, evaluate your treatment, and motivate you to continue your blood pressure control program.

Blood pressure control does take a commitment of both time and effort, but isn't your health worth it?