Managing High Blood Pressure

mcmatrix12000 asked:


I am only 19 years old and my blood pressure is 150/80. I have no idea what could be causing it. I feel fine and am in relatively good shape. If anything I am too skinny and I get stressed out allot by stupid little things. What could be causing my high blood pressure?

Herman

Debbie Fontana asked:


If you answered no, are you absolutely sure? Because your life may literally depend on it.

Almost one in three American adults has high blood pressure. For black Americans, it’s closer to four out of ten adults.

These numbers are even more alarming when you realize that only a third of people with high blood pressure have it under control and another third don’t even know they have it.

**The Silent Killer**

Although it has no symptoms, high blood pressure can cause stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. That’s why it’s called “the silent killer.” It’s also considered a risk factor for developing dementia.

Blood pressure is the force pushing against the artery walls by the flow of blood. It’s measured as two numbers given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), such as 140/90 mm Hg (which is said as “140 over 90″).

The top number, 140, is the systolic reading, or the highest pressure reached when the heart beats. The bottom number, 90, is the diastolic reading, or the lowest pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.

The medical community used to define normal adult blood pressure as below 140/90.

Now they’ve revised that to less than 120/80. Anything between 120/80 and 140/90 is considered to be prehypertension. Supposedly, this indicates a high risk for developing hypertension.

So it was a surprise to many people when they went from being healthy to being prehypertensive simply because doctors had changed their blood pressure classifications.

**The Surprising Killer**

But here’s a shocking fact that kills no matter how the doctors classify it.

Did you know that a person who usually has normal blood pressure can experience a sudden spike that can kill him?

It’s true.

Strenuous weightlifting - e.g., bench-pressing more than half your body weight - can cause your systolic pressure to spike to 300 mm Hg or more. Especially if you hold your breath while lifting.

Other risky activities are vigorous sports like squash or racquetball.

Weightlifting and other vigorous sports don’t cause permanent high blood pressure. So how does a temporary surge in pressure kill you?

Well, it could cause a stroke, a deadly tear in your aorta, or aortic dissection.

A tear in your aorta, the main artery in your heart, usually occurs if you have an undetected aneurysm, which is a bulge in the aorta. Most people with an aneurysm don’t know they have one.

Aortic dissection happens when the walls of the aorta split and blood enters between the layers. You’ll feel an excruciating, knife-like pain. Only immediate surgery can save your life.

So if this type of weightlifting or intense aerobic activity can kill a person with normal blood pressure, it can be even more dangerous if you already have high blood pressure.

**Get Yourself Checked**

That’s why it’s so important that everyone, whether healthy or not, have his or her blood pressure checked regularly by a physician or other healthcare professional. You should also discuss your exercise routine with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you.

There are two types of persistent high blood pressure, essential hypertension and secondary hypertension. Only your doctor can tell you which type you have.

**Weight Can Be a Factor**

Essential hypertension is high blood pressure for no apparent reason, although diet, excess weight, and heredity may be contributing factors. About 95% of people with high blood pressure have essential hypertension.

The second kind of high blood pressure, secondary hypertension, is caused by some other medical disorder such as kidney disease. If your doctor can treat the underlying condition successfully, secondary hypertension will often disappear.

If the underlying cause can’t be eliminated, then doctors often treat secondary hypertension the same as essential hypertension.

The use of blood pressure-lowering drugs is recommended at levels of 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

**Watch Out for Side Effects**

But the medications can have unpleasant and possibly dangerous side effects, especially at higher dosages or if a combination of drugs is used.

And it may take a few tries before your doctor finds the dosage or drug combination that is right for you.

In my family, we know the dangers of these medications firsthand. We also know the tragedy that high blood pressure can cause.

My maternal grandmother had high blood pressure for decades. Even with medication, it was never completely controlled. She died of a stroke at 85.

So when my mother developed high blood pressure, we knew we couldn’t wait to treat it. But she didn’t want to take drugs. Instead, we tried a dietary approach.

In just 7 weeks, her blood pressure dropped to 132/68 from 168/88. Without medication or exercise.

And eventually, her blood pressure declined to 112/64.

But everyone is different. You should consult your doctor to decide which approach - medication, diet, exercise, or otherwise - makes the most sense for you.

**Important Disclaimer: This information is presented for educational purposes only. This isn’t medical advice and it’s not a substitute for any advice or treatment from your physician. You should always see your doctor before starting any treatment - drug, diet, exercise, or otherwise - for high blood pressure or any other medical condition.

Crystal

Joe Barton asked:


It seems like the later I stay up at night, the more educational the television shows become. Recently I found a show called “The Truth about Food’ on the Discovery Channel. I immediately kept flipping but later returned to the show after feeling a little guilty from a late night snack. It turned out, I learned more about natural health in the next 20 minutes then I did in the last week! Specifically, I learned how important food is to our health and high blood pressure! Duh!

Did you know that food can naturally treat high blood pressure (also called hypertension), shed those extra pounds and increase your sex drive?

So I ask you… Can you picture not having to worry about high blood pressure? Can you imagine being excited to go to bed early once again? Can you imagine the reward of a new wardrobe after shedding 20+ pounds?

Quit dreaming! Because doing all of these might be simpler than you think!

What I learned about Naturally Treating High Blood Pressure

I love creative shows! In fact, the Discovery show, ‘The Truth about Food’ was creative and educational! The premise of the show is hypertension participants spend about 2 weeks in a zoo and are challenged to eat like an ate. Literally, the high blood pressure sufferers could only eat the foods a chimp could eat. Their two week diet consisted of fresh fruits and vegetables. You can imagine how many bathroom visits there were with the high water-soluble produce. In fact, the constant ‘toilet time’ was remarkably humorous. I actually woke up my youngest boy.

But you would never imagine what happened after 2 weeks? All hypertension contestants reduced high blood pressure substantially, reduced cholesterol levels and lost weight (some 15+ pounds). And finally, you would never imagine the gained confidence and smiles on everyone’s thinner face!

By increasing your water-soluble fiber, high blood pressure contestants showed the following:

High blood pressure numbers dropped a whopping 10%.

Cholesterol levels plummeted an astonishing 25%.

Participants lost an average of 10 pounds in two weeks.

Why Every Second Counts with HBP!

Why is hypertension concerning? According to the American Heart Association (AHA), almost 70 million Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure. If you do the math, that is about 1 in 3 adults in the United States. Unfortunately, about only 63% of those high blood pressure sufferers are aware of it. In other words, 37% are walking time-bombs of high blood pressure. It is no wonder that high blood pressure is now the #1 killer! In fact, almost 60,000 Americans die each year because of complications of high blood pressure. Could you be next?

High Blood Pressure Medication… Is it worth it?

As you can also imagine! High blood pressure prescription medication is a multi-billion dollar industry. Whenever you are dealing with a life and death situation, you are going to have prescription companies involved. The problem is most prescription medications have serious side-effects and cost hundreds per month. Don’t believe me?

Have you heard about the new side-effect with male impotence medication, Viagra? Vision loss and complete blindness!

And the same goes for high blood pressure medication? Diuretics, Beta Blockers, Alpha Blockers and Vasodilators all have side-effects that can be seriously damaging to your health and sometimes deadly.

Can You Naturally Treat High Blood Pressure without Medication?

After watching my new favorite show, I immediately re-read Barton Publishing’s High Blood Pressure Natural Remedy Report and was re-convinced that everyone can naturally treat high blood pressure with about 5 simple steps! I wondered, how many points would the participants have dropped if they supplemented their high fiber diet (raw fruits and vegetables) with the correct vitamins, minerals and supplements.

Unfortunately, most people do NOT realize this and are becoming completely reliant upon over-priced, side-effect laden pills that run on the same concept as a piece of fruit, natural vitamins and minerals!

Do you want to know what natural vitamins and minerals will lower High Blood Pressure in days?

Do you want to know what foods are essential? What foods should be tossed?

And finally, do you want to know how we can guarantee that you will lower your high blood pressure naturally? Consider treating your HBP, increasing your sex drive, and losing weight this week! Please take a moment and visit our website and our guarantee!

Steven

EthanMN asked:


I have untreated high blood pressure (usually around 144/99). I am taking my blood pressure each day to monitor the situation and establish what level I am at. I know I need to go on medication, but I want a medication that will have few side effects. I am particularly concerned about sexual side effects and I would still like to be able to have a couple drinks now and again.

Earl

gameplayer81_99 asked:


I take meds for high blood pressure but I started exercising, and yesterday I had mine checked and it was 97/73, I felt awful. I was just wondering if it is normal for this to happen or do I need to get off the meds.

Kathleen

jennylane1965 asked:


I am curious if anyone knows what kinds of things can cause high blood pressure, even temporary. I’ve heard of sleep deprivation causing it, but it doesnt seem like not getting enough sleep could cause you to have a real blood pressure problem. Could caffeine or soda consumption affect your blood pressure?

Corey

Unknown asked:


I know this sounds ridiculous. i’m 16 years old, and i think i have high blood pressure. only because whenever i just even do the smallest activity like walking up the stairs, i kinda lose my breath. and then when i run i feel like my heart’s going to explode and i can’t breathe. i’ve ran cross country and track for two years already too.. do i have high blood pressure? if so, what can i do?

Angela

Vagabonda asked:


Already know about DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) and the need to exercise regulaly. Seeking other ways of reducing high blood pressure without medication. Any success stories? and How long did it take?

Gina