How to Control High Blood Pressure

How to Control High Blood Pressure

There is a saying that goes “what you do not know cannot hurt you”. This is the case when it comes to High blood pressure (HBP), also known as Hypertension. High blood pressure is also called the “silent killer” because many people do not have visible symptoms and are thus subsequently unaware that they have HBP. Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the US have high blood pressure—this is according to the American Heart Association.

However, uncontrolled HBP can damage body organs and increase the risk of vision loss, kidney disease, Stroke and coronary Heart disease. Your doctor may prescribe medication such as Ace Inhibitors or beta blockers that will help control blood pressure. However, these medications do have side effects like insomnia, dizziness and Leg Cramps. It is, therefore, advisable that you take natural measures to control your blood pressure. These measures have proven to be both safe and effective.

How to Control High Blood Pressure


If you have already been diagnosed with HBP (systolic pressure of over 140 and diastolic pressure of over 90) you might worry about taking medications to lower those numbers.

Your lifestyle plays a major role in treating your HBP. If you manage to successfully control the blood pressure with just having a healthy lifestyle, you may reduce, delay or avoid the need for medication. The following lifestyle changes will help you lower your blood pressure and even keep it down.

1. Lose Those Extra Pounds
When your weight increases, so does your blood pressure. By just losing ten pounds (about 4½ Kg) you will have helped lower your blood pressure. If you lose more weight, your blood pressure also goes down. If you are taking medication for your blood pressure, losing weight makes it more effective. You can talk to your doctor and decide on a target weight and how to achieve it.

Other than shedding a few pounds, watch your waist line. When your waist carries too much weight, you are at a greater risk of HBP. In general:

• Men are at risk if they have a waistline that measures over 102 centimeters (40 inches).


• Women are at risk if their waistline measures over 89 centimeters (53 inches).


• Asian men are at risk if they have a waistline that measures over 91 centimeters (36 inches).


• Asian women are at risk if their waistline measures over 81 centimeters (32 inches).

2. Increase Exercise
Exercise helps to lower your blood pressure and also helps you lose weight. Consult your doctor first before exercising because your blood pressure might be very high, then your doctor might want to have it under control first before you start exercising. Exercises that will most likely lower your blood pressure include skiing, skating, tennis, cycling, swimming, aerobic dancing, stair climbing, jogging, walking and any other exercise that will elevate and sustain your pulse for about 20 minutes. People who have hypertension should not try non-aerobic exercises like chin-ups, push-ups and weight lifting as they may be dangerous. They should only be done with the doctor’s consent.

3. Choose a Healthy Diet
Eat a diet that contains dairy products (low-fat), vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Skimp on cholesterol and saturated fat to lower your BP by up to 14mm Hg. This eating plan is known as DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). The DASH diet encourages sodium reduction in a diet and consumption of nutrient rich foods that will help to lower your BP like magnesium, calcium and potassium. DAS diet is also recommended to prevent Diabetes, stroke, heart disease, Cancer and Osteoporosis. Changing your eating habits is not easy but the following few steps will help you adopt a healthier lifestyle:

• Have a food diary. In it, write down all things you eat. You can start small by writing down all the foods you eat in a week. You will be surprised to see your true eating habits. Monitor the food you eat, when and why you eat it.


• Boost potassium. Potassium lessens the effects sodium has on your blood pressure. Foods like vegetables and fruits are the best potassium sources instead of supplements. Consult your doctor on which potassium levels best suit you.


• Shop smart. Before going to a supermarket, make a shopping list to avoid picking up junk food. When shopping, take your time to read food labels and keep on track with the healthy eating plan whenever you eat in restaurants.


• Cut yourself some slack. Even though DASH is a lifelong diet guide, it does not mean that you can discard all the foods you love eating. It is completely okay to occasionally treat yourself to foods that are not on the DASH menu like mashed potatoes with some gravy.

4. Decrease Intake of Sodium
People like the elderly, African Americans, and those who have a family history with HBP are more likely to have a salt sensitive HBP. As such, people with HBP should lower their sodium levels to 1,500 mg per day (half a teaspoon of salt contains 1,200 mg of sodium). When taking processed foods, watch the sodium levels. Instead, season food with lemon, herbs, salt-free seasonings and spices.

5. Limit Intake of Alcohol
People who take more than two alcoholic drinks daily have a 1 to 2 times increase in hypertension. Association between HBP and alcohol is quite noticeable especially when alcohol intake exceeds 5 intakes daily—the more the alcohol, the stronger the link to hypertension.

The National Institute on Alcohol abuse and Alcoholism says a standard drink is 12 ounces of beer, 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (80-proof) and 5 ounces of wine. Each alcoholic drink roughly contains the same absolute alcohol amount, approximately 12 grams or ½ ounce.

6. Quit Smoking
If you are a smoker or use tobacco, you should quit. Smoking can increase your chances of getting HBP and damage your blood vessels. Smoking can also make HBP related health problems worse. If you find it hard to quit smoking, join a support group. There are many community groups, workplace and hospitals that offer classes to help you quit smoking.

7. Reduce Intake of Caffeine
Caffeine effects on blood pressure have long been debated upon by scientists. One scientist from Duke University Medical Center found that consumption of 500 mg of caffeine (8 ounce coffee cups) increased a person’s blood pressure by 4 mm Hg. The effect lasted until bedtime. Caffeine tightens blood vessels and magnifies Stress effects. When a person is stressed, the heart pumps more blood boosting blood pressure. Caffeine exaggerates this effect.

8. Manage Stress
Anxiety or stress increases blood pressure temporarily. Take time to find out your sources of stress, for example, finances, illness or work. Thereafter, consider safe ways of reducing or eliminating them.

It you are unable to eliminate all stressors, find a healthier way of coping with them. Take deep-breathes, mediation, yoga or a massage. If self-help proves futile, try professional counseling.

Check this video out on tips to control HBP:

Blood Pressure during Exercise

Blood Pressure during Exercise

Your blood pressure varies throughout your day depending on what you are doing. The more active you are the harder your blood has to be pumped and this then causes the blood pressure to rise. Normal pressure should rise during exercise and then return to normal once you are finished. If the pressure rises too high and/or does not return to normal, there may be a problem. However, if you do exercises consistently, it will help to lower high blood pressure. Learn about how. Why does Blood Pressure Increase during Exercise?
When you are exercising your muscles need more oxygen. The heart then pumps more blood around your body with more powerful contractions which will make your blood pressure increase. Your systolic blood pressure increases during exercise as the cardiovascular system delivers more blood to the working muscles and your diastolic blood pressure stays roughly the same or decrease slightly. High Blood Pressure during Exercise
Normal Blood Pressure and Hypertension
The normal blood pressure varies for many different reasons, such as age, amount of physical activity, profession etc. The average is 120/80 mm Hg, but it can range anywhere from 90/60 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure rises above 140/90mmHg, it is a cue for hypertension. High Diastolic Blood Pressure during Exercise
In most cases, the diastolic rate changes vary little if any while you exercise. If there is an increase, though of more than 20 mm hg or if the diastolic rate becomes 100 mm hg it is pertinent to discontinue exercise right away. If you have high blood cholesterol levels, which is known as Hypercholesterolemia, or coronary artery disease your diastolic rate can increase significantly while you are exercising. The following can help you to understand the diastolic rates and their categories:

• Diastolic rate of 80 or under- normal


• Diastolic rate of 85-89- cause for concern


• Diastolic rate over 90- hypertension


• Diastolic rate between 90 and 99- stage 1 hypertension


• Diastolic rate of 100-109- stage 2 hypertension


• Diastolic rate over 109- stage 3 hypertension

It is imperative to note that hypertension not only requires more energy for the heart to be able to pump the blood, but it can also lead to congestive heart failure as well. High Systolic Blood Pressure during Exercise
A normal range for a systolic rate during exercise is between 160 and 220; if you are overweight the rise in blood pressure is somewhat higher. If you fall into the normal range and your pressure reaches 190 after exercising, this is a good cue that you will suffer from high blood pressure in the future. Weight lifters also have significantly higher systolic rates, this is because while they lift weights, there is a reduction in the amount of oxygen, because their muscles constrict. This requires the muscles and organs to get more oxygen rich blood. Any and all overexertion can lead to Heart Attacks or Strokes, so it is important not to overdo it. Regular Exercise Can Lower High Blood Pressure
Why can exercise help?
Regular exercise can help to lower your blood pressure, as long as you keep it up. That’s because exercises make the heart stronger so that the heart can pump more blood with less effort. By maintaining exercising and being more active you can lower your systolic rate 4-9 mm Hg, which is more or the same as some of the prescription medications that the doctor would normally prescribe. Therefore, you can possibly just exercise and not have to take those medications. As we all know exercise is good for all of us for so many reasons and this is just another great reason to exercise regularly and not to stop, because if you discontinue the regular exercising, the blood pressure will jump right back up. It does take about 3 months initially for the exercise to begin to lower your blood pressure. How much exercise do you need?
It is recommended that you exercise either 2½ hours of moderate exercise or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous exercise a week, or even a combination of the two. Moderate exercises, which can be any aerobic exercise that increases both your heart and breathing rates, include exercises, such as swimming, bicycling, jogging, walking (speed, or power), etc. Tips on exercise
Household chores, such a scrubbing, mopping, mowing, raking etc. are also included in the moderate exercise category. So, why not do 30 minutes once a day only five days a week or 20-25 minutes seven days a week. If you think about it does not really take all that much extra work, and you can achieve it by just pumping up the regular way you do things, like walking or cleaning. If necessary you can even do a few quick bursts a day, they count too. Warnings:
It is always necessary to consult a physician before beginning any exercise routine to treat hypertension. There are concerns that a doctor must discuss with you and also they can help you to design the proper workout for you. If you have any underlying factors, such as high cholesterol and Diabetes, there are major concerns, such as developing hypertension, so again it is necessary to consult your physician to be safe, rather than sorry. Extra care should also be taken about exercise when you are having high blood pressure.

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

With each beat of your heart, blood is being pushed against your arteries. The amount of pressure created by this process is known as your blood pressure. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is often regarded as a healthy outcome. However, hypotension can also indicate underlying conditions that need treatment. If your low blood pressure is causing you to feel dizzy or tired, it is time to speak with your doctor.

What Is a Low Blood Pressure Reading?
There are two phases of blood pumping against your arteries that are measured when checking your blood pressure. They are the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. When you see them written out, you will see a two numbers written like a fraction. The number on top is the systolic pressure, and the number on the bottom is the diastolic pressure.

• Systolic pressure is the measurement of the pressure on your arteries when your heart is actively pumping blood, and happens during a heartbeat.


• Diastolic pressure is the measurement of the pressure on your arteries when your heart is between beats, and is not actively pumping blood.

A healthy blood pressure reading will have a systolic pressure between 110 and 140, although this pressure is not considered low until it drops below 90. The healthy range for diastolic pressure is between 60 and 90.

When determining if your blood pressure is low, both the systolic and diastolic pressures do not need to be below the normal threshold. Only one of these pressures falling below normal qualifies as hypotension.

• Low systolic pressure is when your systolic reading falls below 90.


• Low diastolic pressure is when your diastolic reading falls below 60.

What Are the Causes of Low Blood Pressure?


Your blood pressure will naturally vary, and variances in the measurements don’t necessarily indicate a problem. Depending on things like the position of your body, the rhythm of your breathing, you level of Stress, the physical condition you are in, any medications you might be taking and the food and beverages you are consuming all influence the pressure placed on your arteries. Your blood pressure is naturally lowest at night when your body is at rest, and will rise substantially when you wake. With this in mind, even the time of day can have an effect on the outcome of your blood pressure measurements.

Several conditions can cause low blood pressure, like:

1. Pregnancy
Due to the rapid expansion of the Circulatory System during pregnancy, a woman’s blood pressure typically drops during this time. This is a normal response to pregnancy, and will likely return to normal after giving birth.

2. Heart Problems
Since blood pressure is directly related to the pumping of the heart, conditions like a very low heart rate, problems with the heart valves, Heart Attack and heart failure can all cause the blood pressure to be lowered.

3. Severe Allergic Reaction
Certain reactions can cause a dangerous reaction known as anaphylaxis. Food, some medications, venom from insects and latex can all trigger anaphylaxis. Common symptoms include problems breathing, swollen throat, itching and HIVes.

4. Medications

• Diuretics like furosemides and hydrochlorothiazide cause lower water levels in your body, which can lower your blood pressure.


• Alpha blockers like prazosin and labetalol, as well as beta blockers like atenolol, propranolol and timolol can have an effect on your blood pressure.


• Drugs for Parkinson’s disease like pramipexole or medications that contain levodopa, and antidepressants like doxepin, imipramine, protriptyline and trimipramine are famous for lowering blood pressures.


• Erectile dysfunction medications like sildenafil or tadalafil can also lower your blood pressure.

5. DailyLife Causes
Many every day influences can cause a drop in your blood pressure.Your blood pressure will naturally increase with age, but movement and eating will have a more substantial effect and cause it to drop.

• Poor diet that is lacking in certain nutrients like B-12 and folate can cause anemia, a condition that causes an insufficient amount of red blood cells to be produced, causing low blood pressure.


• Even mild Dehydration can cause a change in your blood pressure.


• Stress causes your heart to beat faster, raising your blood pressure. If you are more relaxed, your heart slows and your blood pressure will drop.


• Exercise might raise your blood pressure for a while, but a healthy body that is in shape will have a lower resting heart rate, and lower blood pressure.


• Warm temperatures might cause your blood pressure to fall a bit, and your blood pressure will be lower after you have eaten because digestion is a lot of work that requires the use of a lot of blood.

6. Other Causes

• Endocrine problems: Thyroid disease or adrenal deficiency can both cause the blood pressure to be low. Low blood sugar and in some cases Diabetes can also affect your blood pressure.


• Severe infection: Infections that enter the bloodstream like Septicemia cause a dangerous drop in your blood pressure leading to Septic Shock, which can be fatal.


• A dramatic loss of blood can cause a dramatic lowering of you blood pressure, as there is less blood pumping through the arteries.

What Are the Possible Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure?
Symptoms of low blood pressure include:

• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded


• Fainting


• Trouble concentrating


• Blurry vision


• Nausea


• Cold and clammy skin that is pale


• Breathing that is rapid and shallow


• Fatigue


• Depression


• Unquenchable thirst

Note: Most of the time, low blood pressure isn’t serious. However, if you notice any of the symptoms above you should consult your doctor, because constant low readings could imply some more serious problems. And when symptoms occur, keep a record of them and the time they appeared as well as the things you were doing.

How Is Low Blood Pressure Treated?
Most of the time, low blood pressure requires no treatment. If the condition is severe, you may need to receive blood delivered through an IV, medication to improve the heart and the pressure or antibiotics if there is an infection. If you experience a drop in blood pressure caused by standing too quickly, your doctor will likely look at causes like medications you are taking or not drinking enough fluids. Your doctor might also suggest wearing compression stockings to prevent blood from collecting in your lower body.

Top 18 Herbs to Lower Blood Pressure

Top 18 Herbs to Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or Hypertension usually has no specific symptoms and you may know you have it during a routine checkup at your physician. When left untreated, hypertension can cause serious damage to blood vessels and lead to life-threatening complications such as cardiac arrest and Stroke. Lifestyle changes and medications are usually used to keep your blood pressure in control. But you can also try some herbs, which is a natural way of treating hypertension.

Herbs to Lower Blood Pressure
Many herbs can help regulate blood pressure and some most effective ones are listed below. Come find the one working best for you.

1. Basil


Widely available throughout the world, basil has anti-mutagenic, antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Basil and extract of basil can help lower blood pressure. You can add the fresh leaves of basil to soups, pasta, casseroles, and salads to enjoy some amazing benefits.

2. Cinnamon


Cinnamon combined with diet, magnesium, and lifestyle changes may help you lower your blood pressure by 25mmHg. Cinnamon can also lower blood pressure in people with Diabetes. Simply sprinkle cinnamon in your coffee or on your breakfast cereal to enjoy its benefits. It also goes well with curries, stir-fries, and stews.

3. Cardamom


Quite like other spices, cardamom has antioxidant properties and works amazingly well to scavenge free radicals. Consuming powdered cardamom regularly in your diet may help you see significant reductions in your blood pressure readings. You can include cardamom powder or the seeds in soups, spice rubs, and stews to enjoy its benefits. You can also add it to baked goods to enhance its flavor.

4. Hawthorn


It is among the best herbs to lower blood pressure.In fact, you enjoy a variety of cardiovascular benefits by consuming decoctions of hawthorn. Not only does it lower blood pressure but it also prevents clot formation and improves blood circulation. You can have it as a liquid extract, a pill, or an herbal tea.

5. Celery Seed


It is basically an herb used to flavor stews, casseroles, soups, and other savory dishes. It contains more than 20 anti-inflammatory compounds and a substance called apigenin, which make it effective against hypertension. It also works as a diuretic and helps lower blood pressure. Moreover, it has phthalides that helps relax the muscles around your arterial walls and keep blood pressure under control. Using the seeds will help lower blood pressure but you can also juice the plant to regulate blood pressure.

6. Danshen


It has been used in many parts of the world for the treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure. It helps treat circulation problemsand proves effective in the treatment of chest pain, stroke, and diseases of the blood vessels. Dashen can be used to stew chicken and make herbal tea.

7. French Lavender


French lavender is one of the herbs to lower blood pressure. Even the aroma of French lavender has the power to calm your nerves to some extent. If you have not tried it already, consider adding the flowers of lavender in baked goods to enhance flavor and maximum benefits.

8. Cat's Claw


Considered a popular herbal medicine in traditional Chinese practice, it can be quite effective in the treatment of hypertension as well as specific neurological health problems. It acts on calcium channels in your cells and helps lower blood pressure. You can drink it as tea to enjoy its benefits.

9. Garlic


Regular consumption of garlic may help lower systolic blood pressure, which is mainly because it has many sulfur-containing compounds, including allicin. Garlic may also help remove a substance called nanoplaque that accumulates in cell walls and clog the arteries, which may help lower cholesterol, prevent Blood Clots, and relieve hypertension. Simply add garlic to your favorite recipes, and if tastes strong, try roasting it first.

10. Ginkgo Biloba


The herb works by dilating your blood vessels and thinning the blood. This helps improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure at the same time. It contains antioxidants such as flavonoids and terpenoids that improve overall heart health and lower blood pressure as well.

11. Rauwolfia Serpentina


As one of the herbs to lower blood pressure, Rauwolfia serpentina can help improve your cardiovascular health and treat a number of heart related ailments. It contains a powerful compound called alkaloid reserpine that plays a big role in regulating heart function. It proves even more beneficial when your high blood pressure or heart problems are the result of Stress and anxiety.

12. Onions


Onions have an antioxidant called quercetin that lowers your risk of Heart disease and stroke. Studies show that the use of onions helps reduce systolic blood pressure by 7mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 5mmHg. You can enjoy raw onion or enjoy its cooked version for better taste and amazing benefits.

13. Oregano


Carvacrol in oregano makes it effective in the treatment of hypertension. It also helps reduce mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and your diastolic and systolic blood pressures. Oregano is a sodium-free food, so you can use it in place of salt in your meals while avoiding the side effects of sodium.

14. Olives


An important part of the Mediterranean diet, olives are quite popular and healthy too. They are on the list of herbs to lower blood pressure and their benefits come from polyphenols in olive oil. Simply cook your food in olive oil to enjoy decreased blood pressure.

15. Ginger


It relaxes the muscles of blood vessels and improves blood circulation, thus lowering blood pressure. You can use it in beverages and sweets or include it in noodles, soups, and stir-fries. It can also be a good addition to vegetable dishes as well as teas for a refreshing taste.

16. Valerian


Valerian has a tranquilizing effect which helps lower blood pressure. It can also treatsleeplessness and insomnia caused by hypertension. You can drink the water mixed with valerian powder.

17. Psyllium


Known for its artery-cleansing properties, it works amazingly well to eliminate plaque from your arterial walls. This helps lower cholesterol and improves circulation, which in turn lowers your blood pressure. Consume 5-10g of psyllium a day to enjoy all its benefits. You can take it as a supplement or add it to drinks and nutritional cereals.

18. Turmeric


Generally an important ingredient in curries, turmeric offers some impressive cardiovascular benefits mainly due to the presence of curcumin that removes plaque from your arteries. It promotes healthy blood circulation, lowers cholesterol, and regulates blood pressure.

Precautions

Though herbs have many benefits, they may have certain side effects especially when consumed in large amount. So you should talk to your doctor before including any herb in your diet. Some herbs can also interfere with themedications you are taking,which may lead to serious complications. So make sure to consult your doctor if you can consume certain herbs when you are already taking medications for hypertension.

How to Raise Your Blood Pressure

How to Raise Your Blood Pressure

It is a general idea among people that high blood pressure causes problems, but hardly anybody knows that low blood pressure can cause problems too. Normal blood pressure is between 120/80 and 90/60, so you are suffering from low blood pressure if your value is less than 90/60. Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, can cause problems in your Circulatory System because of the less pressure, like insufficient blood flow to the brain and other organs of the body.

How to Raise Your Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure can be caused by many reasons like blood loss, heart problem, pregnancy, severe infections or Dehydration. Once you are aware that you have low blood pressure, you should raise your blood pressure for a healthy life.

1. Get Enough Water
Low blood pressure can be increased by increasing your water intake. An ideal quantity of water intake should be at least 8 to 10 8-ounce cups of water. In case you are exercising or you tend to spend more time outdoors, increase the water intake accordingly. Most healthy drinks contain electrolytes which are also helpful in raising blood pressure.

2. Add More Salt into Your Diet
Increasing your salt intake increases your blood volume which, in turn, raises your blood pressure. Foods like canned food, processed food contain more salt and can be helpful in raising blood pressure.

Your physician can guide you on how to go about it because this kinds of foods are not that healthy and may cause other problems if consume too much.

3. Have Small, Frequent Meals
Instead of having a couple of large meals in a day, having frequent smaller meals helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar. Healthy meals should be low in carbohydrates. Eat whole grains like oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, etc. Avoid refined flour, white bread and pasta.

4. Maintain Balanced Diet
A healthy, well balanced diet is equally important to regulate your blood pressure, which should include lean meat, fish, fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grains. Although heavily processed food contains more salt, they are unhealthy because they are high in sugar and fat. Increasing your consumption of B12 and folate will improve circulation and, in turn, raise your blood pressure. B12 can be found in dairy products while folate is found in dark green vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli, etc.

5. Use Natural Herbal Remedies
Would you like to know how to raise your blood pressure with natural herbal remedies? Some herbs like aniseed and rosemary are known to help reduce the effects of low blood pressure. It is better to consult your doctor before you use natural herbal supplements. However some commonly found ingredients in your kitchen like ginger, cinnamon and pepper are known to lower blood pressure, so do not use any herbal supplements that contain these ingredients.

6. Do Exercise Regularly
To remain healthy, everyone should exercise regularly. Exercising helps regulate blood flow. A regular 20 minute brisk walk will do wonders on your mental and physical health. But avoid heavy lifts in your exercise schedule if your blood pressure has not normalized as it can cause injury.

7. Try Compression Stocking
Low grade compression stockings are generally recommended to be worn on a daily basis as they help improve blood circulation and reduce swelling and collecting of blood in the lower body.

8. Change Adverse Lifestyles
A few simple, adverse changes in your lifestyle will help in solving how to raise your blood pressure like:

• Reducing consumption of alcohol because drinking alcohol causes dehydration.


• Drinking caffeine increases your blood pressure as caffeine constricts blood vessels.


• Changing body positions slowly to avoid dizziness.


• Do not cross legs while sitting because it can restrict blood circulation. So sit comfortably by resting your knees by positioning it at hip width.


• Long and hot showers should be avoided as they expand blood vessels, further lowing blood pressure and making you dizzy or faint. So go in for a warm, shot shower instead. It is best to avoid spas and tubs with hot water.


• Sleeping with your head elevated helps. You can do this by placing bricks under the head of the bed.


• Lifting of heavy things should be avoided.


• Do not strain while you are sitting in the toilet.


• Reduce eating carbohydrates and a good rest is recommended after eating.

Seek Medical Help
Low blood pressure should be resolved with medical help if it interferes with your daily life. You should know when to see a doctor and which medical options available.

You need medical help if you frequently experience any of the symptoms like dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, fatigue, Depression, lack of concentration, pale cold skin, thirst and rapid shallow breathing. Your doctor will then guide you on how to go about it.

Medical Treatment Options
When home remedies fail, you should know how to raise your blood pressure with medical procedures. Here are 4 main solutions you can try.

Examine your medication: If you are currently on some medications, ask your doctor if any of the medicines are lowering your blood pressure; if so, ask for a change in the medication. For example, blood thinners can affect blood circulation, resulting low blood pressure.

If nothing works, get the right medication: Generally medicines are not prescribed for people with low blood pressure because the necessary lifestyle and diet changes help in raising blood pressure. When this does not help, medicines like fludrocortisone and midodrine are prescribed to help increase the blood pressure.

Test for underlying disease: In spite of all the measures, if you still have some problems, ask your doctor to check for other possible undetected medical problems that you may have.

Normal Blood Pressure

Normal Blood Pressure

Blood pressure refers to the exerted force by circulating blood on the walls of one’s blood vessels. Blood pressure is generally referring to arterial pressure, meaning, the pressure in one’s larger arteries (the blood vessels which take blood away from one’s heart). Abnormal blood pressure can lead to many unwanted occurrences, this article explains how you can monitor and control your own blood pressure.

What Is Normal Blood Pressure Reading?
The blood pressure considered normal is defined as 120/80, although the actual number varies depending on age and gender, and the exact “normal” level has changed over the course of many years.

Which Number Is More Important, Top or Bottom?
Generally speaking, the top number is more important because a high systolic reading is often associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease for those over the age of 50. Most people will experience a rise in systolic pressure as they grow older due to cumulative stiffness of larger arteries, increased occasions of vascular and cardiac disease, as well as prolonged accumulation of plaque.

What Is the Normal Blood Pressure Reading According to My Age?
Research has clearly shown a correlation between age and rising blood pressure. This rise is thought to occur to accommodate the need for increased amounts of oxygen and nutrients. For many decades, the assumption that one’s systolic pressure can be calculated by adding one’s age to 100 for men and subtracting 10 for women. For example, a man aged 45 would likely have a systolic blood pressure of 145.

See the table below featuring the average normal blood pressure for different ages.

Blood Pressure Range Charts by Age

Age	Systolic BP	Diastolic BP
11-13	126	82
14-16	136	86
17-19	120	85
20-24	120	79
25-29	121	80
30-34	122	81
35-39	123	82
40-44	125	83
45-49	127	84
50-54	129	85
55-59	131	86
60+	134	87

For Children

Age	Boys (mmHg)	Girls (mmHg)
1-3	80/34 - 120/75	83/38 – 117/76
4-6	88/47 – 128/84	88/50 – 122/83
7-10	92/53 – 130/90	93/55 – 129/88

What Is Considered a High Blood Pressure?
If your blood pressure has been recorded at 140/90 or higher on two separate occasions, then you would be considered to have high blood pressure. Once such an instance has been determined, you will likely be advised to continue to monitor your blood pressure at home throughout the day. If your blood pressure remains high even whilst resting, and does not return to what can be considered normal blood pressure, then your doctor will likely suggest certain lifestyle changes to combat the problem, such as exercise and diet changes, as well as medications.

How to Monitor My Blood Pressure?
Watch the video below to learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and how to work with your doctor on the results.

• Make sure the cuff fits. One should first measure around one’s upper arm and ensure to buy the correct device with a suitably sized cuff.


• Remain still. Ensure to sit still whilst measuring your blood pressure, and try not to smoke, exercise, or drink caffeine within thirty minutes before taking a reading.


• Sit correctly. Sit with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor. Sit on a dining chair to provide support for your back. Use a flat surface to support your arm. Ensure to read the instructions and use the product effectively.


• Take numerous readings. When monitoring one’s blood pressure, it would be wise to take more than one measurement. One should take two to three measurements around several minutes apart and record all of the results accurately.


• Take readings at the same time each day. Such as in the mornings and evenings, or whenever your doctor advises.


• Consult your doctor if you have numerous high readings. One high reading should be no cause for concern, consistent high readings should be met with medical assistance.

How Can I Control My Blood Pressure?
There are numerous changes one can make to their lifestyle to help decrease high blood pressure. These include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight. Those who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of high blood pressure.


• Exercise regularly. Exercising moderately everyday can help to lower the risk of developing high blood pressure, always check with your doctor beforehand to ensure that your exercise schedule is not too strenuous.


• Eat healthily. Ensuring to consume a well-balanced diet consisting of many fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which can help to lower the risk of developing high blood pressure.


• Reduce sodium consumption. Those who eat a lot of processed foods are generally consuming too much sodium, as processed foods are filled with added salt. A diet low in salt can help to reduce blood pressure and restore normal blood pressure levels.


• Drink less alcoholic beverages. Alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure, meaning that drinking less alcohol can be beneficial.


• Do not smoke. Smoking seriously increases the risk of developing high blood pressure as well as lung Cancer, Heart disease, Stroke, and other health concerns. Try to quit if you are a smoker.

Alcohol and Blood Pressure

Alcohol and Blood Pressure

People have been enjoying alcoholic beverages for thousands of years in almost all parts of the world. While alcohol has a long history, it has not been possible to completely understand its effects on human health. Multiple studies have been conducted to identify the connection between blood pressure and alcohol, but there is still conflicting evidence with heated debates about the result.

Are Alcohol and Blood Pressure Related?
Several epidemiological surveys have tried to identify the exact relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure. Research shows that there may be an acute rise in blood pressure when someone has a single alcoholic drink, and it becomes normal in about a couple of hours. Moreover, studies show that the link between alcohol and blood pressure depends on how much alcohol is consumed.

A study published in NCBI shows that the blood pressure increases with regular consumption of alcohol, and there is 16% attributable risk for hypertensive disease in this case. It also suggests that you may notice an increase of 1mmHg when you drink 10g of alcohol. However, the intervention studies do not highlight the effects created by the vasodilator flavonoid components of red wine in reversing or lessening alcohol-related Hypertension.

HowDoes Alcohol AffectBlood Pressure?
It is quite sure that regular drinking can lead to the development of hypertension – it can also worsen the condition. As to why alcohol can increase the blood pressure, there are some hypotheses. For instance:

• Alcohol can lead to the constriction of blood vessels because it produces an increased sympathetic nervous system response. This may eventually lead to hypertension.


• Excessive alcohol consumption may trigger the release of salts and hormones in the blood – this includes hormones like epinephrine, catecholamines, and salts such as calcium ions. These salts and hormones can affect cardiac functioning.


• There may be dramatic fluctuations in blood pressure during the withdrawal period after heavy drinking sessions. This may affect the body's ability to regulate blood pressure.

There is no data available to know exactly how alcohol drives up blood pressure. Some studies do suggest that excessive drinking may actually change the heart-protective effects. Less than a couple of drinks may help a bit by increasing good cholesterol levels, but more research is required in this regard.

What Is a Moderate Amount of Alcohol to Use?
When talking about the connection between alcohol and blood pressure, it is extremely important to discuss how much is too much. There are certain health benefits of drinking a moderate amount of alcohol, but you still need to consider those benefits in relation to the negative effects it leaves on blood pressure. Cardiovascular benefits occur when men drink 10-20g of alcohol a day and women drink no more than 10g of alcohol a day. A 12-ounce beer, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor, and a 5-ounce glass of wine are all equal to one drink. Going beyond these limits will have dire consequences.

You may notice a rise in your blood pressure after having more than a couple of drinks a day. There may be a rapid rise in blood pressure when someone has a couple of drinks in one sitting. The spike in blood pressure can be so high that it can lead to Stroke.

Tips for Drinking Less Alcohol
Whether you are drinking more than what is considered safe or you are already drinking within the limits, you will always benefit more by reducing your alcohol intake. The following tips will help you do just that:

• Whenever possible, opt for low-alcohol options, like low-strength beers, etc.


• Pay attention to the label because you can now find how many units are there in different drinks.


• Add water or mixers to your drinks to make them last longer.


• Never eat bar snacks like peanuts and crisps with your drink because salt in snacks can make your blood pressure to go up quickly.


• Keep a measure with you when you drink at home to know how much you have already drank.

Blood Pressure Equation

Blood Pressure Equation

When the doctor takes your blood pressure, they are measuring how hard your heart is pumping to circulate your blood. They use an inflatable cuff on your arm that fills with air to squeeze the blood vessel walls. There is a pressure gauge attached and the doctor or a nurse listens to the heartbeats. Understanding blood pressure equation and common cardiac equations accurately goes a long way in avoiding medical mistakes. It is important for medical staff to put the cuff on properly for these numbers to be correct.

What Do Blood Pressure Readings Include?
The blood pressure equation is determined by two different factors: Systolic blood pressure, and Diastolic blood pressure. These two numbers can speak volumes about how the heart is functioning and the entire Circulatory System. In more critical cases, doctors will also look at pulse pressure and vascular resistance. Here is what they do:

Systolic Blood Pressure
This number tells you about the left ventricle of the heart and the effort it is putting in to push blood throughout the body. When you see a blood pressure reading of 110/70, the 110 is the systolic pressure. 110 is a pretty good number and tells us the heart doesn’t have to work too hard to get the blood out to the body. If you see a number higher than 120, the heart is having to work a little harder.

Diastolic Blood Pressure
This is the number that lets you know what the pressure is when your heart relaxes and refills with blood. On a blood pressure reading of 110/70, this is the bottom number. 70 tells you that your heart relaxes and refills just fine. If the number is 80 and up then your heart is working a little harder to relax and refill.

Pulse Pressure
The pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure numbers. If the blood pressure is, 120/80 then the pulse pressure is 40. If the pulse pressure is “wide”, meaning there is a very large difference between the top and bottom numbers, it indicates something is going on in the body such as Hyperthyroidism, shock or trauma, or any condition that relaxes the blood vessels too much. If the pulse pressure is a small amount of numbers between, this indicates things like blood loss, rapid heart rate, or congestive heart failure. This number is extremely important in the critical care setting, especially when monitoring fluid or blood loss in trauma patients.

Vascular Resistance
This used to be called peripheral resistance and is used to indicate the amount of resistance the heart must overcome in order to get the blood out to the body. A few of the things that may increase the resistance in the blood vessels and make it harder to pump blood are: thicker blood, constricted blood vessels, and constriction of the tiny capillaries in the lungs. When the blood is more dilute and blood vessels are relaxed, blood can flow more freely through the body.

Blood Pressure Equation and Cardiac Equations: Types and Formula
The blood pressure equation actually includes a few different calculations: the Stroke volume equation, the cardiac output equation, and the mean arterial pressure. Let’s take a look at each of these:

Stroke Volume Equation
This measures the actual volume of blood that your heart pumps out of your ventricles with each beat. The doctor will order a test called an echocardiogram.They will look at how full the ventricle is when full during the relaxing and filling phase, then they look again to see how much blood is left in the ventricle at the end of the heartbeat. Whatever is left they subtract that amount from the beginning. The equation looks like this:

SV (Stroke Volume) = EDV (End Diastolic Volume) – ESV (End Systolic Volume)

For example; a healthy male that weighs 150 pounds has a EDV around 120ml. It is around 50 ml for the ESV, so the SV is 70ml.

Cardiac Output Equation
The cardiac output equation tells us the amount of blood the heart is able to pump out to the body to give it nutrients, oxygen, and needed chemicals to live. This is determined by taking the Stroke Volume and multiplying it by the Heart Rate. The equation looks like this:

CO (Cardiac Output) = SV (Stroke Volume) x HR (Heart Rate)

The determined stroke volume above was 70ml. The patient’s heart rate is 70 beats per minute. We multiply the SV of 70ml with the HR of 70 and we get 4900 which converts into 4.0 L per minute for the cardiac output.

Mean Arterial Pressure
When you have your blood pressure taken in the hospital or doctor’s office on a machine, you will notice towards the bottom there is another number under the diastolic and systolic. You may see the MAP, which is mean arterial pressure. It describes average blood pressure in an individual. The MAP should be between 70 and 110. It is dangerous for this number to be less than 60 otherwise your important organs will not receive enough oxygen. The equation for mean arterial pressure looks like this:

MAP =[(2 x diastolic)+systolic] / 3

In someone who has a blood pressure of 120/70 you would do this: 70 x 2 = 140 + 120 = 260/3 = 86.7MAP

A mean arterial pressure of 103 is considered within normal range and the body and organs are getting enough blood, oxygen and nutrients. You usually only see this number looked at when patients are in the intensive care unit.

What Is The Blood Pressure Equation Used For?
The blood pressure equation, including the stroke volume equation and the cardiac output equation, tells the doctor how stable or critical patients are. Your heart, kidneys, brain, nervous system, and hormones all work in unison to keep your blood pressure in a good range. Normal blood pressure is anything 120 or less systolic and 80 or less diastolic. If the blood pressure is too high, this can cause damage to the kidneys or the heart can fail. Low blood pressure can also be serious and any severe fluctuations needs to be addressed and treated as soon as possible.

What Affects Blood Pressure?

What Affects Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the measure of the force that the blood applies on the walls of the artery. Your heartbeat refers to how many times your heartbeats in a minute. Information about your blood pressure and heartbeat enables your healthcare provider to make important decisions about your cardiovascular system and overall health. Your heart rate is normal if your resting heart rate is anywhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute, whereas the systolic blood pressure should be less than 120mmHg and diastolic pressure should be less than 80mmHg. Your blood pressure can change due to many factors. Let's discuss more about it.

What Affects Blood Pressure Temporarily?
Many people are not aware of the fact that blood pressure changes minute by minute. The change may be due to any activity, your mood, or your body position. Other factors can also change your blood pressure temporarily and make it fluctuate between 5 and 40mmHg. Read for more factors.

1. The Size of the Blood Pressure Cuff
If the size is too small and you feel the cuff is rather tight on your upper arm, you may not get correct measurement. It is therefore important to ensure it fits you well or using a small blood pressure cuff may increase your systolic blood pressure by 10 to 40 mmHg.

2. Cuff Used over Clothing
It is not a good idea to wear your blood pressure cuff over clothing. If you do it, you may not get correct measurement. In fact, there may be a change in your systolic blood pressure measurement by 10 to 50mmHg.

3. Not Taking Time to Relax
You should relax yourself and take at least 5 minutes after sitting in a comfortable chair to check your blood pressure. Any activity such as eating or exercise can change your systolic blood pressure up to 10-20mmHg.

4. Back, Arm, or Feet Unsupported
You will get incorrect reading if you are not sitting in a comfortable chair with your arm and back being supported. There may be an increase in your diastolic blood pressure by 6mmHg if your back is not supported. Keeping your legs crossed may also raise your systolic blood pressure. Keeping your upper arm below your heart level will also affect the reading–keeping it below your heart level will give higher measurements, whereas keeping it above your heart level will do the opposite.

5. Emotional State
Never try to measure your blood pressure when you are anxious or under stress because it can automatically increase your blood pressure. Calm down and be relaxed when having your blood pressure measured.

6. Talking while Testing
What affects blood pressure temporarily? Just like physical activities, talking also plays a role here. There may be an increase of 10-15mmHg if you are talking when your blood pressure is being measured. Be comfortable and do not talk.

7. Tobacco Use
Use of any tobacco products, including cigars, cigarettes, or even smokeless tobacco can increase your blood pressure because they all contain nicotine. Do not smoke for at least half an hour before having your blood pressure checked.

8. Caffeine and Alcohol
Drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages before taking your blood pressure measurement will lead to incorrect results. Do not drink any caffeinated or alcoholic drinks for at least half an hour before having your blood pressure measurement taken.

9. Temperature
Your blood pressure goes up when you are cold. It means you may get a higher reading if the temperature at the doctor's office is low.

10. Full Bladder
Your blood pressure comes down when your bladder is empty and increases when your bladder is full. There may be an increase of 10-15mmHg in your blood pressure reading when you have a measurement with a full bladder.

What Affects Blood Pressure in the Long Run?
Here are some of the factors that have a role to play in your blood pressure in the long run:

1. Family History
Just like hair, height, and eye color, blood pressure can also run in families. It means that if your parents or someone in your blood relatives have Hypertension, you are more likely to have it too. Your children will also have a higher risk of developing hypertension in this case. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly if you are at a higher risk of developing hypertension. While you cannot do anything about heredity, you can make lifestyle changes to lower your risk.

2. Age and Gender
Your risk of developing hypertension increases with age. This happens because blood vessels lose flexibility with time. Moreover, men under 45 years of age are at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure as compared to women. Both men and women are at the same risk of developing hypertension from ages 45 to 64. After that, women are more likely to develop hypertension as compared to men.

3. Lack of Physical Activity
How active you are will also have an impact on your blood pressure. If you have an inactive lifestyle, you are more likely to develop hypertension, blood vessel disease, Heart disease, and Stroke. When you are not active, you also increase your risk of becoming overweight or obese. You are obese when your body mass index is over 30, and excessive weight puts more pressure on your heart, makes it work hard, and increases your blood pressure to a dangerous level. Be sure to include moderate physical activity in your routine to stay healthy.

4. Dietary Choices
You will develop high blood pressure if your diet includes lots of fats, calories, and sugars. This diet also contributes to Obesity which is linked to so many issues. A diet rich in sodium will also increase your blood pressure because it makes your body retain water that puts strain on the heart. Lowering your intake of salt and including potassium in your diet will help. Similarly, vitamin D is essential for the production of an enzyme that regulates blood pressure. So, have a balanced diet to keep blood pressure in control.

5. Sleep Apnea
What affects blood pressure in the long run? A condition called sleep apnea can’t be ignored. In this condition, tissue in the throat collapse and make it difficult to breathe. You may wake up and have to cough to start breathing again, but pauses in breathing can make you feel tired during the day. The condition also increases your risk of heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes.

6. Mediations
Your hypertension may become worse by taking ibuprofen, such as Motrin, Advil, etc. These medications can also be damaging for the kidneys and increase your risk of heart failure and stroke. Naproxen, piroxicam, diclofenac, Lodine, Mobic, and indomethacin may have similar effects on your cardiovascular system. Cold and cough medicines may constrict your arteries and increase your heart rate and blood pressure.

Low Blood Pressure After Surgery

Low Blood Pressure After Surgery

For most people, a normal blood pressure reading is around 120/80mm Hg. Anything below 90/60mm Hg is considered low, and might be a concern. Low blood pressure is usually expected among patients after surgery. Blood pressure can drop during or after surgery for a wide variety of reasons, and in most cases, it's a temporary issue that won't cause any problems. However, it requires very close monitoring, because extended or very low blood pressure can lead to lower oxygen supply which can lead to heart and brain problems.

What Causes Low Blood Pressure After Surgery?
Most patients who undergo surgery will face lowering of blood pressure. This is often caused by a loss of blood or the prolonged effects of anesthesia. It might also be caused by an allergic reaction, Dehydration, heart problems, and even infection in the body. The four most common causes are shown below.

1. Hypovolemic Shock
This occurs when there isn't enough blood volume in the body. One of the most common causes is a hemorrhage, where blood spills out of the veins. When there is a hypovolemic shock, the blood pressure drops, the pulse rate goes up and the urine output decreases.

2. Cardiogenic Shock
This happens when the heart can't contract and pump blood effectively. Cardiogenic shock is usually caused by myocardial infarction or Heart Attack. Up to ten percent of patients who suffer a heart attack will also suffer this cardiogenic shock; 40 to 70 percent of those will die.

3. Septic Shock
When the body is overwhelmed by an infection, the arteries dilate, and there isn't enough blood to keep up the strong pressure. As a result, blood pressure drops, sometimes dramatically. The patient will also have fever and a fast heart rate.

4. Anesthesia
The drugs that are required to put you to sleep for surgery can play havoc with low blood pressure. It happens during the surgery, as well as after. Doctors always monitor each patient very closely throughout the procedure and recovery to ensure that low blood pressure will be quickly detected and treated.

How to Manage Post-Surgery Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure after surgery usually requires careful monitoring and some treatments. These following tips are recommended to combat post-surgery low blood pressure.

• ŸStand up and move slowly. The blood needs time to get flowing through your body, and low blood pressure can easily lead to fainting spells.


• Never have caffeine and alcohol. They can dehydrate you, and lower your blood pressure even more.


• Eat small meals. Eating can sometimes lead to lower blood pressure, so eating smaller meals more often can help reduce the risk.


• Stay hydrated.Drink plenty of fluids and water is usually best.


• Add salt to your diet. Your doctor might even prescribe salt tablets. However, this is only done under careful supervision by a physician.


• Wearsupport stockings. They can put pressureon your tummy, legs and feet, which can boost blood circulation and then increase blood pressure.


• Take medications as prescribed to treat low blood pressure. Phenylephrine is often used to increase blood pressure.

When to See a Doctor

Low blood pressure after surgery is common and usually resolves on its own. However, if you are experiencing dizziness, dehydration, nausea, vision changes, lightheadedness, fainting spells or cold, clammy skin, it's time to call the doctor.

Other People's Experiences
Understanding other people's experience of post-surgery low blood pressure can help you understand what to expect.

It's been eleven days since my abdominal surgery, and at night I was feeling incredibly lightheaded and almost passed out. Today at the doctor's office, my blood pressure was at shocking 98/50. They told me to be careful when I move around, and asked that I have someone with me at all times. It's a little scary.

I felt lightheaded and almost passed out when trying to stand up from sitting or lying. Then I tested my blood pressure at the pharmacy and it turned out my blood pressure was 100/68. Later at my doctor's office, my blood pressure was only 90/60. He said it was not too bad, but told me to increase my sodium intake.

I had surgery for fibroids two weeks ago, and my recovery went well. However, I am worried about my low blood pressure after surgery. My blood pressure reading now is 110/50, but my normal reading was 120/80. The doctor said that was actually to be expected and soon it would come back up.

Sudden Drop in Blood Pressure

Sudden Drop in Blood Pressure

Hypotension, or simply low blood pressure, is a condition whereby your blood pressure is not as high as it should be at your age. Blood pressure would normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg according to most physicians. There are people whose blood pressure is normally lower than average. In other people, it could be as a result of a medical condition or medication they are taking. You need not worry if you have low blood pressure as long as you do not exhibit any symptoms. However, experiencing a sudden drop in blood pressure could be dangerous because it affects the blood flow in the body. Seek medical attention immediately when this happens as it could lead to shock, which is a fatal condition.

What Causes a Sudden Drop in Blood Pressure?

Orthostatic Hypotension (Blood Pressure Drop When Standing Up)
Postural or orthostatic hypotension is triggered when you suddenly stand up from a sitting position or from lying down. It can make you feel lighthearted, faint or dizzy. It happens for a number of reasons including hunger, fatigue or Dehydration. It can also occur as a result of your genetics, medication, age, diet and psychological factors. In some cases it is caused by Allergy and infection.

The majority of people who suffer from Postural Hypotension are those taking medications for high blood pressure. This sudden drop in blood pressure is also associated with emotional turmoil, pregnancy, diabetes and the hardening of arteries. Seniors are particularly prone to this condition, especially if they have a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system or high blood pressure.

How to deal with it: This type of hypotension is usually mild and only lasts a few minutes at most. If it lasts longer than that, then it could be a pointer to an underlying problem. You might need to talk to your doctor about it if you often feel lightheaded when standing up. If at any time you lose consciousness due to orthostatic hypotension, see your doctor urgently. Mild cases of orthostatic hypotension do not need any medical attention and shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

Other Possible Causes
A sudden drop in blood pressure can be caused by an anaphylactic allergic reaction. The drop occurs due to the release of a large amount of chemicals such as histamine into the blood stream in response to the presence of an allergen. The chemicals released into your body cause the blood vessels to dilate and resulting in a drop in blood pressure. An anaphylactic reaction could also be accompanied by cramps, HIVes, redness of the skin and closing of throat. This allergic reaction is considered a medical emergency, and may require an injection of epinephrine to raise blood pressure and facilitate breathing.

The drop in blood pressure could also be resulting from the collapse of the cardiovascular system brought about by excessive loss of blood, extreme temperatures (high or low), Heart diseases, blood poisoning (Sepsis), and severe dehydration.

How Can I Deal with Low Blood Pressure
Immediate Steps
During an emergency, you should first take immediate steps such as lying with your feet raised above your heart, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding triggers such as prolonged standing. Also, move your legs when standing. If you notice symptoms of orthostatic hypotension, cross your thighs and squeeze. You could also put one of your feet on a chair or ledge and lean forward. Put on abdominal binders or compression stockings might help reduce the effects of orthostatic hypotension.

Preventive Measures

• Increase salt intake – Taking salt helps increase blood pressure. This can help resolve the sudden drop in blood pressure. However, this should be done under the instruction of your doctor since taking too much salt can cause the blood pressure to raise to dangerous levels.


• Increase fluid intake – Staying hydrated throughout the day helps forestall the symptoms of low blood pressure. Avoid taking alcohol as it is dehydrating.


• Try not to bend at the waist – Whenever you need to pick up something on the floor, squat with your knees instead of bending at the waist.


• Eat small meals – There are cases where blood pressure drops after eating. If this is the case, you should eat small low-carb meals.


• Work out – Exercising regularly can help reduce the effects of orthostatic hypotension.


• Take it slow when getting up – By doing this, you will reduce the feeling of lightheadedness and dizziness. Take deep breathes for several minutes before getting out of bed.


• Elevate your head when sleeping – You should set up your bed so that your head is always elevated when you sleep. This will reduce the effect of gravity.

When to Call Your Doctor
Talk to your doctor if you experience a sudden drop in blood pressure accompanied by lightheadedness or dizziness. Take note of how fast your blood pressure drops rather than how much it drops any time you feel dehydrated, spend too much time in the hot tub or in the sun, or have low blood sugar. Keep a diary and record any symptoms and the corresponding activity at the time.

If you have liver or kidney problems, have had a Stroke or are at risk of having a stroke, you should have your blood pressure closely monitored. Low blood pressure can interfere with blood supply to your organs and the brain.

Coffee and Blood Pressure

Coffee and Blood Pressure

A cup of coffee is something one looks forward to while working late to finish the project. But, with increasing negligence of one’s body clock, bad eating habits and lack of proper exercise come with inevitable health problems, especially Hypertension, forcing an already suffering person to think twice before taking up their much-needed caffeine boost.

There are many things that link coffee and blood pressure together. Caffeine is said to cause sudden jolts in the proper movement of blood in the arteries and veins. As a result, more and more people are reluctantly dumping their beloved beverage to save their troubled hearts. The question that arises is - just how true this statement is? Do we really need to quit caffeine?

How Does Coffee Affect Your Blood Pressure?

In order to have a proper understanding of the situation in hand, we need to know about the effects of caffeine on our blood pressure. Caffeine, an alkaloid compound that is generally found in the widely adopted beverages such as tea or coffee, helps in “awakening” of our central nervous system. It makes us feel alert and focused for a long period of time. But anything in excess causes troubles and the same goes for your caffeine intake. High intake paves way for blood vessel constriction, which may lead to an increase in blood pressure. But the keyword is “may”: researchers are still debating over the relation between coffee and blood pressure.

For Normal People
In cases of people with normal blood pressure, the effect of caffeine on them is debatable. Some researchers argue that it causes a certain jump in blood pressure, although the mechanism involved is still unknown. The hypothesis is that caffeine is either responsible for blocking of a particular hormone that helps in stimulating the width of arteries or has an immaculate effect on adrenaline secretion, hence increasing blood pressure. However, the studies performed on many normal people stated that such effects were short-lived with no long-term changes when it comes to blood pressure.

The statistics reports by a large French retrospective analysis find out that caffeine provides a tiny yet notable depletion in systolic and diastolic blood pressure along with lowering of pulse pressure and heart rate. This study was conducted over the span of a decade on more than 85,000 women, and it was seen that even drinking 6 cups of coffee every day didn’t bring them any risk of increased blood pressure or any heart-related diseases. This fact has been supported by the Joint National Committee on Hypertension as well. There is no evidence to indicate causation between coffee and high blood pressure.

For People with Hypertension
Sadly, the joy of having a carefree dosage of coffee doesn’t get awarded to people suffering from high blood pressure. Researchers have found that caffeine’s effect of elevating blood pressure is greater on those diagnosed with hypertension, as well as for overweighed or elderly (70 years of age or older) males. For those, it is advised to watch out for caffeine intake. However, there is no need to be low on hopes; we have come up with some steps to follow for a controlled blood pressure.

What to Do
If you have hypertension and are wondering whether you should avoid coffee drinking, consult your doctor. You can start by lowering your intake firstbefore bringing it to zero to avoid withdrawal after-effects. If you are having normal vitals but you are still worried about the after-troubles in relation to coffee and blood pressure on your body, you can limit your caffeine intake for a certain period and note the results. Try reducing your daily intake of caffeine to 200 milligrams: that is around 2 ounce-cups (355 millilitres each). You can even check whether a certain coffee brand is causing an increase of blood pressure in your system by noting down your blood pressure in between 30 to 120 minutes of your daily coffee intake. An increase of blood pressure by 5-10 points indicates that you might be under the blood pressure elevating effect of caffeine.

Remember, even with normal people, caffeine intake just before rigorous activities increases your blood pressure, so avoid that.

Other Natural Ways to Bring Down Blood Pressure
Thankfully, despite the correlation between coffee and blood pressure, there are various natural ways to bring down blood pressure. Just follow these simple steps to have a control over your heart:

• Go for power walks: walking has always been a healthy option. Better oxygen supply in the body keeps your heart healthy. You can participate in vigorous cardio workout for at least 30 minutes daily. Never forget to challenge yourself with speed and distance whilst walking.


• Take deep breaths: taking slow yet deep breaths on a regular basis has a huge impact on our health. It lowers our stress hormones, helps you focus better by elevating renin, a kidney enzyme that helps in controlling blood pressure. So, breathe in and out deeply for at least 5 times a day.


• Consume potassium-rich foods: involve potassium-rich food and vegetable options in your diet like tomatoes, bananas, kidney beans, melons, sweet potatoes and dry fruits such as prunes andraisins so that you are better guarded against brimming hypertension.


• Have a control over your salt-intake: many people with a long running history of hypertension in their families are sodium-sensitive. Salt may bring flavour to your savouries but uncontrolled intake can mess with your blood pressure levels. Try keeping your daily salt intake to 1,500 mg.


• Search for a supplement:when it comes to lowering blood pressure, supplements like coenzyme Q10 has shown great result of reducing blood pressure by up to 17 mmHg over 10 mmHg. Before taking it, consult your doctor first about the dosage.

What Can High Blood Pressure Cause?

What Can High Blood Pressure Cause?

Blood flowing through the arteries exerts pressure against the artery walls. This is measured as blood pressure. High blood pressure indicates that the blood is exerting too much pressure on the artery walls. Called the "silent killer", Hypertension (high blood pressure) rarely exhibits any symptoms. The damage it's doing to your heart, arteries, or other organs can't be felt, but can be life-threatening. Hypertension makes the heart pump harder to move the blood, contributing to Atherosclerosis, kidney disease, Stroke, and heart failure.

What Can High Blood Pressure Cause?
1. Damage to Arteries
Healthy arteries have a smooth inner lining that allows blood to flow freely. They are strong, yet elastic and flexible. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues. The increased blood pressure on artery walls can gradually cause multiple problems.

• Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis

When hypertension begins to damage artery lining cells, it starts a series of events that thickens and stiffens the artery walls, a disease known as arteriosclerosis. Accumulating dietary fats pass through these damaged cells, causing atherosclerosis. This results in blocked blood flow, which in turn results in stroke, Aneurysms, eye damage, Kidney Failure, Heart Attack and/or failure, and peripheral artery disease.

• Aneurysm

Over time, an artery wall weakened from constant high blood pressure can bulge out like a balloon. This is called an aneurysm. They can form in any artery, but the aorta, the body's largest artery, is the most common spot. Aneurysms can rupture, resulting in internal bleeding, which is potentially life-threatening.

2. Damages to the Heart
What can high blood pressure cause that damages the heart? Here are a few of the diseases and conditions that result from hypertension.

• Coronary Artery Disease

When the arteries are narrowed by coronary artery disease, the blood flow is restricted to the heart by affecting the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle. When the blood flow to the heart is thus restricted, it can cause chest pain, arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms, or you may have a heart attack.

• Enlarged Left Heart

When your heart is forced to pump harder in order to circulate blood throughout your body because of hypertension, the left ventricle becomes stiff and thickened, a condition called left ventricular hypertrophy. This, in turn, limits the ventricle's capacity to pump blood throughout the body. The risk of heart failure, heart attack, or sudden cardiac arrest increases.

• Heart Failure

The strain that hypertension places on your heart can cause the heart muscle to weaken over time. Thereby it works less efficiently. It also becomes stiffer and thicker. The heart becomes overwhelmed and eventually wears out and fails. Heart attack damage exacerbates this problem. Heart failure causes extra fluid to accumulate in the body and is a serious condition.

3. Brain Damage

• Stroke

When a part of the brain is deprived of nutrients and oxygen, brain cells die. Then a stroke occurs. Hypertension can cause the formation of Blood Clots in the arteries that lead into your brain, which block blood flow and potentially cause a stroke. Hypertension can damage brain's blood vessels, and causes them to leak, rupture, or narrow, and finally leads to a stroke.

• Vascular Dementia

Problems caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure include the narrowing or damaging of the brain's blood vessels. The risk of a blocked or burst blood vessel increases with time. When the blood flow to the brain is restricted because of a blocked or burst vessel, brains cells may die. This results in impaired thinking, memory, and speaking ability.

4. Kidney Impairment
The damage caused to blood vessels in the body because of high blood pressure may affect the kidneys and cause kidney failure. Hypertension damages the large arteries which lead to the kidneys and the tiny ones inside them. This prevents the kidneys from filtering waste as effectively, then allowing it to accumulate dangerously in the body. Diabetes increases this damage, which can ultimately lead to necessitating kidney dialysis or transplant.

5. Sexual Health Issue
If you're wondering "what can high blood pressure cause", here's one to make you sit up and take notice. Even though erectile dysfunction increases in men by age 50, hypertension increases the occurrence. The narrowed blood vessels decrease blood flow to the penis, limiting the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. Women, too, may experience sexual problems caused by hypertension by reducing the blood flow to the vagina. Vaginal Dryness, loss of arousal, and difficulty in achieving orgasm all result from this lack of blood flow.

6. Vision Impairment
Hypertension puts strain on the delicate ocular blood vessels and causes the optic nerve to swell, leading to impaired vision. The only way to treat damaged blood vessels in your eyes is to lower your blood pressure. Vision problems will be permanent if left untreated. Stroke-induced brain damage can result in permanent vision loss.

7. Peripheral Arterial Disease
Any body part that is deprived of sufficient oxygenated blood is at risk. If you experience numbness or pain in your limbs, it could be from impaired blood flow, which brings on peripheral artery disease. Peripheral artery disease can affect the legs, increasing the chance of infection or Gangrene. Gangrene is the death of body tissue.

8. Other Damages
Hypertension can also have an effect on other areas of the body, resulting in issues such as nose bleeds, Headache, dizziness, nausea, difficult or labored breathing, bone loss, and sleeping problems. Over half of people with hypertension have sleep apnea.

Do I Have High Blood Pressure?


After getting to know "what can high blood pressure cause", you may want to diagnose whether you have high blood pressure or not. Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers: the systolic and the diastolic. The systolic number is the highest pressure when the heart beats to push blood through the blood vessels. The diastolic is the lowest number when your heart rests between beats. To use this blood pressure chart, find your systolic number on the side of the chart and the diastolic on the bottom, and draw a line. Where the lines intersect is the range in which your blood pressure falls.

How to Lower High Blood Pressure
1. Lifestyle Changes
There are several lifestyle changes you can make that will help to lower your blood pressure, or maintain it if it is currently normal. A balanced diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, with low-fat dairy, and eggs from cage-free chickens, is naturally low in sodium, unless you add a lot of salt in cooking. Limit yourself to 2,300 mg of sodium per day, unless your doctor recommends it. Use legumes–beans, lentils, garbanzos, black-eyed peas, and lima beans–in place of meat. Exercise daily, maintain a healthy weight, eliminate alcohol, and manage stress sensibly to live a healthier, longer life.

2. Medications

Medicines	Effects
Diuretics	Flush excess sodium from body, reducing fluid in the blood, helping to lower blood pressure.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors	ACE converts Angiotensin-1 to the blood vessel-narrowing hormone Angiotensin-II. Ace Inhibitors prevent this, which halts the production of Angiotensin-II, lowering blood pressure.
Beta Blockers	Slows down your heart rate, causing your heart to pump less blood, which helps lower your blood pressure.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)	They block the angiotensin II hormone from binding with blood vessel receptors, preventing the blood vessel from narrowing. This helps to lower blood pressure.
Calcium Channel Blockers	Prevent calcium from penetrating blood vessel and heart muscle cells, allowing blood vessels to relax. Can lower blood pressure.
Alpha Blockers	Diminish nerve impulses that constrict blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely, which lowers blood pressure.
Alpha-Beta Blockers	Combines action of Alpha Blockers and Beta Blockers, lowering blood pressure.
Central Acting Agents	Work in the brain to reduce nerve signals that constrict blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.
Vasodilators	Relax blood vessel wall muscles, lowering blood pressure.

Blood Pressure – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Complications

Blood Pressure – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Complications






By the year 2025 more than 1.56 billion people worldwide, would have developed Hypertension as predicted by the CDC. In the USA, one out of every 3 people above 20 years is found to have high blood pressure (hypertension). Every year, more than 7 million people die due to blood pressure and its related illness, in America. By controlling blood pressure thousands of deaths due to Heart Attack can be prevented. The main cause of increasing numbers is current lifestyle with less/no physical activity and high salt diet and eating junk foods.

Key Points On Blood Pressure :

A person is said to have blood pressure or hypertension if the reading is 140/90 mm of mercury in the instrument. Blood pressure develops primarily due to modern lifestyle and physical inactivity. Certain medical conditions like kidney problem can cause high blood pressure. Sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure. Treatment for blood pressure includes medication combined with change in lifestyle and diet modification.

Definition :

Blood pressure can be defined as the force with which blood flows against the walls of blood vessels. The rate at which heart pumps blood determines the blood pressure. Blood pressure is said to be normal if the reading in the blood pressure monitor remains 80/120 (diastolic/systolic). BP can increase considerably if more blood is pumped out from your heart and similarly if the arteries path gets narrowed due to deposits of fat or plaque it can increase your blood pressure. If the blood through the walls of blood vessels with high force it causes hypertension or high blood pressure. BP can damage heart increasing the risk of heart attack and Stroke and can damage the vital organs like kidney and in severe cases it can be fatal.

Systolic and Diastolic Pressure :

There are 2 parts in blood pressure measurement. First/top number is known as systolic pressure which is the rate at which your heart pushes blood through the arteries. Second/bottom number is the diastolic pressure which the blood pressure rate when the heart is not pumping any blood. Normally diastolic pressure will always be lower in number. If the reading of blood pressure is anywhere between 120/80 to 140/90 it indicates you are likely to develop high BP in future.

If the reading is 140/90 or above it means you have hypertension. The measurement of BP would be higher in range shortly after exercising or when you are stressed or emotional. This would automatically get back to normal within few minutes. A person is said to have high blood pressure if his BP reading is higher than 140/90 most of the time without any obvious reason.

BP and Time :

Blood pressure is not the same all through the day. The reading would be high if you measure it as soon as you wake-up. It continues to be in high reading and reaches the peak during the mid-afternoon. Slowly it begins to drop reaching normalcy in the evening/night. If you are having abnormally high reading of BP during early morning or night it indicates that you have some health problem.

Measuring Blood Pressure :

Nowadays blood pressure monitors are available in many stores and pharmacies. Home BP monitor can be used to measure the hypertension at different intervals of time. All you have to do is to put on the cuff just few inches above your elbow and switch on the monitor button. The machine would automatically inflate the cuff measuring the BP and shortly it would start deflating and finally stop. The reading shown in the monitor is exactly your BP.

Causes Of Blood Pressure :

• Lifestyle – Modern lifestyle has to be blamed for drastic increase in BP for many people. Lack of physical activity, eating plenty of junk foods (rich in salt) and intake of alcohol are the main factors for getting hypertension. Even adolescents are having high blood pressure due to this reason. Number of people developing blood pressure is steadily increasing due to physical inactivity and eating junk foods which makes them overweight causing blood pressure and related health issues.


• Growing old – As one grows older he/she is at increased risk of getting high BP. Blood pressure is common in adults and elderly people.


• Obesity – People who are overweight and obese are more likely to get high BP than others. Again more than half the adults are becoming overweight due to sedentary lifestyle and eating more (unwanted) food.


• Family History – You are likely to develop high BP if any of your parents are already having it.


• Stress – Increasing stress is another factor that cause increase in blood pressure. Many of us don’t know the method of managing stress which reflects in the form of various health problems at young age.


• Primary and Secondary Hypertension – For many people no visible causes would be present for high blood pressure. In that case it is known as primary blood pressure which develops gradually. Secondary hypertension is induced BP caused by various medical conditions like kidney problems, thyroid problems, sleep apnea (sleeping disorder), adrenal glands problem and defective blood vessels. This can cause considerably high BP when compared with primary factor. Prolonged use of contraceptive pills and over the counter painkillers can also cause secondary hypertension. Certain medical conditions like Cushing Syndrome, cancer and overactive thyroid gland can also cause high blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Symptoms :

For most of the people high BP will not cause any symptoms and for this reason blood pressure is known as “silent killer”. Only few people may get symptoms of Headaches and tiredness if blood pressure reaches high level but most of them will have no symptoms (asymptomatic). Symptoms like nosebleed, confusion of thoughts, shortness of breath and losing conscious are some signs when the blood pressure touches abnormally high levels posing danger to life. By the time the person reaches hospital he/she might die due to other complications like cardiac arrest or Kidney Failure.

Complications :

Adults above 45 years should make regular visits to the clinic for checking blood pressure. High blood pressure can do more damages than you think. Excess of flowing blood can significantly damage the artery walls thereby damaging the blood vessels and organs. Gradually the blood pressure becomes uncontrollable damaging organs permanently.

• Stroke/Heart Attack – Uncontrolled blood pressure can cause atherosclerosis (thickened arteries) leading to heart attack or stroke.


• Aneurysm – Due to heightened inflow of blood the blood vessels gets damaged gradually and at some point of time it bulges and gets weakened leading to aneurysm. In severe cases it may rupture posing risk to life.


• Kidney Damage – Damage of blood vessels can occur anywhere in the body. When blood vessels get weak and narrowed in vital organs like kidney or liver it can cause permanent damage.


• Loss Of Vision – If the blood vessel ruptures inside your eyes it can cause partial loss of vision. The excess of fluid gets collected and finally leaks causing macular Edema.


• Diabetes – Increasing blood pressure can affect the functioning of metabolism leading to high level of triglycerides, lowered level of good (HDL) cholesterol and increasing level of bad (LDL) cholesterol and lowered insulin secretion. The person is likely to develop diabetes and heart disease.

Risk Factors :

Factors like ageing (above 45 years), family history, being overweight/obese, and lack of physical active, smoking/drinking and eating too much of junk foods can cause high blood pressure. Adding excess of salt in daily diet and ignoring potassium rich foods can also increase the risk of BP. Having chronic medical issues like kidney disease, diabetes and sleep apnea can also cause blood pressure.

Diagnosis :

Blood pressure can be measured in regular clinic visits. If you are above 45 years and overweight you can make self measurement by buying a BP monitor for home. If high blood pressure is diagnosed, your doctor is likely to order for blood tests, urine tests, ECG and echocardiogram test to rule out any abnormality in heart. Confirmation of high BP will not be made on a single test alone. Your GP will recommend 24 hour monitoring of BP and check the changes before making a decision.

Treatment :

Not a single method is recommended for managing blood pressure. Doctors often suggest making lifestyle changes along with medications to control its effect.

Medications :

• Several types of drugs are effective in managing blood pressure.


• Diuretics like hydrocholorothiazide or chlorothalidone are prescribed so that kidneys can effectively dispose sodium and water effectively.


• Beta blockers like Sectral or Tenormin are given to open the blood vessels properly so that heart can reduce its workload.


• Ace Inhibitors like Zestril, benazepril or capoten are used for relaxing the blood vessels by preventing formation of plaque inside.


• Calcium channel blockers like Tiazec, norvasc and similar drugs are also given for relaxing the blood vessels.


• Often your doctor may give one or two drugs to get the best effect depending on the case of patient.


• Alpha blockers, vasodilators, central acting agents and aldosterone antagonists are prescribed if the above drugs are not effective in your case for controlling blood pressure.

Lifestyle Modifications :

Apart from taking medications one needs to make changes in lifestyle for managing the blood pressure effectively. In many cases lifestyle changes are equally effective as drug therapy.

• Restrict The Salt Intake – By lowering the salt intake in daily foods you can even prevent high BP. Normal level of BP can be achieved gradually if you take only 5g of salt a day.


• Reduce Your Weight – If you are overweight or obese try all possible methods to bring down your weight. If this is not possible you need to remain in the same weight to prevent further complications.


• Physical Exercise – Doing regular aerobics for 5 days a week can help in reducing your BP considerably.


• Take Medications As Prescribed – Do not skip doses of medicines prescribed by your doctor.


• Quit/Reduce Alcohol – If you have BP reduce the alcohol intake gradually and finally quit drinking and smoking.


• DASH Diet – Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension diet was developed by US National Institute of Health for lowering the BP even without taking any medication.


• Practice relaxation therapy


• To control stress take slow deep breathing exercise. If done regularly you can get excellent results.