As we grow older we must concern ourselves more with the state of our health and focus on making the right lifestyle adjustments that will aid in our overall well being. It can be a hard to accept the fact that we're getting older, but in order to live our older years free of health problems we must look at trying to understand and prevent health risks such as high blood pressure.
In Canada, one out of every five Canadians are affected by high blood pressure. High blood pressure is easily controlled however according to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation 42% of Canadian are unaware that they are affected by this major health risk that can lead to heart disease. High blood pressure IS controllable and it's important that this health concern by handled properly.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is defined as the amount of pressure caused from blood flow that is endured
by the walls of our arteries. It is measured by two different numbers. The first measures the amount of pressure that your heart pumps out during a contraction. The second number is measured between heart beats when the heart is at its most relaxed state.
The best way to check your blood pressure is to schedule an appointment with your doctor to undergo a blood pressure test. The normal rate for blood pressure falls below 120/80mm Hg, and anything consistently clocking in over 140/90mm Hg is high. Although people that suffer from diabetes can consider anything around 130/80mm Hg high and a major health risk.
Causes and Monitoring
Regularly monitoring your blood pressure levels and making the right lifestyle adjustments will aid in the prevention of strokes and heart disease which can lead to a possible heart attack. If not treated properly and promptly, high blood pressure will over time damage the vessel walls of our arteries which can cause scarring leading to fatty plaque deposits within the blood vessels. Eventually the arteries can become blocked, the heart will weaken and a possibility will be left that blood vessels surrounding the brain can erupt causing a stroke.
High blood pressure can be caused by many contributing factors that can include diet, genetics, renin (hormone secreted from within the kidney), insulin, and sleep patterns. It is important to understand how these factors contribute to high blood pressure and be able to control them.
According to the American Medical Network it is noted that %60 of the essential hypertension population is responsive to sodium intake. This means that we should all be extremely watchful and careful as to the amount of sodium we consume in our diet. An increased amount of salt within our body will cause a greater water draw which will increase blood pressure levels in the arteries.
Genetics
When taking a look at the role genetics play when associating them with high blood pressure it's not hard to see how much the two go hand in hand. According to the American Heart Association genetic heritability averages 30%. This data gathered from animal and human studies spanning more than 50 genes has concluded that the percent is constantly growing.
There are ways however to lower high levels of blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure by just 5mm Hg can lead to a 40% reduced risk of incurring a stroke. Just a few small lifestyle altercations can lead to a reduced risk of suffering dementia and heart disease.
If you suffer from high blood pressure and depending on its severity, a slight change in diet may be all that is needed to lower your numbers. Reducing salt intake alone can reduce your risk. If symptoms are more severe a medication may be necessary. There are many various medications that can be taken depending on your age, health, and severity. The best advice is to consult with your doctor or pharmacist to get the right advice concerning medication.
According to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation proper diagnosis coupled with the right form of treatment is not a daunting task and can reduce the risk of incurring a stroke by up to 40% and heart attack by 25%.
Canadian guidelines point out that it's wise to get blood hypertension levels checked regularly at least once a year. High blood pressure can be hard to detect as it often shows no symptoms, so live a healthy lifestyle and adhere to a well balanced diet while keeping yourself physically active. Physical activity helps to strengthen the heart and rid the body of impurities as it lowers blood pressure. Steer clear of excessive amounts of alcohol and nicotine and strive to achieve a healthy body weight.
Stress
Stress is another contributing factor to high blood pressure and a constant state of stress can lead to continually elevated levels. Try to take it easy and refrain from letting yourself get caught up in extreme levels of stress.
It is possible to have your blood pressure monitored at all times by in-home blood pressure monitors. These monitors measure blood pressure levels at all times and can be a wise choice for seniors and older adults that live alone. Using these monitors will enable you to respond quickly and effectively if a noticed increase in blood pressure is seen.
Taking all these factors into consideration it is easy to see how important the issue of high blood pressure is. Sticking to a good diet, keeping hypertension monitored while making the necessary lifestyle adjustments to prevent it will all aid in many more years of healthy living.
