..... What exactly is high blood pressure and why are your Doctor and Pharmacist so worried about it? In many cases people don’t feel any different when they have high blood pressure, but if left untreated it can cause significant problems with your heart, arteries and entire cardiovascular system. You should have your blood pressure checked regularly. Many Peoples Drug Mart stores have a self-serve blood pressure machine that you can use free of charge.
..... Blood pressure readings are expressed as a ratio of your systolic over your diastolic pressures. Lets compare your cardiovascular system to a garden hose; they are more similar than you might think. When your heart contracts it forces |
blood into your arteries, or when you quickly turn on the faucet water rushes into the hose, causing the pressure to become higher in your arteries/hose. This systolic pressure will normally range from 150-120. When you turn off the water supply, or your heart relaxes, the pressure will drop. This diastolic pressure will normally range from 95-80. These two readings will provide you with your blood pressure, which is ideally 120/80.
..... According to the Canadian Hypertension Society, a blood pressure reading of 140/90 indicates blood pressure that is too high. If you have diabetes or kidney disease, your blood pressure should be under 130/80.
..... Unlike a garden hose, your arteries are very fragile. Too much pressure can cause them to harden (arteriosclerosis), or narrow (atherosclerosis). Under extreme pressure arteries can stretch and form ‘bulbs’ (aneurysm) or burst (haemorrhage). These conditions can take years to develop and usually have no symptoms until they are well developed. This is why it is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Many Peoples Drug Mart stores have a self-serve blood pressure machine that you can use free of charge.
..... What causes high blood pressure? There are many things that can raise your blood pressure; |
stress, smoking, obesity, diet and others. Sometimes high blood pressure can be caused by kidney disease or other disorders. If you find that your blood pressure is high, you should check with your Doctor. The two of you can determine what is causing your high blood pressure. Once you know what is causing it, you can determine the best form of treatment.
..... What can you do to help lower your blood pressure? Perhaps the best thing one can do is to exercise regularly. It can help to lower blood pressure in several ways. Regular exercise can help you lose weight and being overweight is known to elevate blood pressure. Remember to speak to your Doctor before beginning any new exercise program. Drinking green tea has also shown to reduce one’s risk of developing high blood pressure.
..... Exercise can also help people better cope with stress, another major cause of high blood pressure. When your body is experiencing a stressful situation, it releases hormones (adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol), to help the body respond to and overcome the stress. This is very helpful when we need to run away from a hungry grizzly bear, but it is not useful for normal day-to-day activities. Unfortunately, your body responds to all stressors (traffic, deadlines, arguments, expensive phone bills) in the same way. Day |
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