How Can I Find Out if I Have High Blood Pressure?
High Blood Pressure is also known as a "silent killer". By the time you start exhibiting the symptoms of this condition, many times a lot of damage is already done to your body. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked by someone who is trained to do so. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force of blood against the inside walls of the arteries. The top number or systolic numbers is the measurement when the heart is at work and the bottom number is the measurement inside the artery when the heart is at rest or between beats. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) says that about 1 in 3 adults in the U.S has high blood pressure or what is also known as hypertension.
When this force is too high many complications can occur. As the force grows the arteries begin to stretch. Just think about a piece of elastic - if it is stretched too much too many times, it will no longer work properly. Well the same applies to our arteries. These weakened arteries have the potential to rupture as with a stroke or aneurysm. This overstretching can also cause scarring to begin and these areas really act like a net catching particles in them such as plaque. The plaque then begins to build up narrowing the artery. As the artery narrows the pressure inside increases also. There is also a potential for blood to get trapped and then clot. If the clot blocks the artery, then the surrounding tissue does not get the oxygen it needs causing damage to the area. Also, this narrowing causes the heart to have to work even harder to get the blood to flow.
The impact high blood pressure has on the body is it increases our potential of developing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, kidney problems, stokes, peripheral artery disease and retinopathy or problems with our eyes. NHLBI says that "middle-aged American face a 90% chance of developing high blood pressure during their lives" but they also say "this is not a normal part of healthy aging". So, what else increases the risk for hypertension? Race increases the risk in addition to gender, heredity, being overweight, eating too much salt, lack of exercise, stress, those taking birth control, drinking too much alcohol and pregnancy.
Monthly the nurses at Stratford hold a blood pressure screening. Check your bulletin for times and make a conscience effort to come by to have your blood pressure checked. A normal or a recommended blood pressure reading is less than 120/80. If your top number is 120-139 and/or bottom number is 80-89, your blood pressure is above the recommended number. There are some thing you can do to reduce this number (see below). If your top number is 140-159 and/or the bottom number is 90-99, you have a high blood pressure reading and need to have it rechecked within 1-4 weeks. If it remains high, you will need to see your doctor. If your top number is 160 or higher and/or the bottom number is 100 or higher, you will need to see your doctor immediately.
The Ohio Department of Health and NHLBI have put together some "Heart Health Tips" for us to use to help reduce our risk and/or to help control our high blood pressure.
1. Take you medication as prescribed by your physician. Do not skip doses.
2. Keep your appointments and follow your physicians advice.
3. Weight loss is the most effective way to lower your blood pressure. Reach or maintain a healthy body weight.
4. Try to exercise regularly and increase your activity throughout the day. Follow your physicians advice about exercise.
5. Cut down on sodium (salt). Do not salt food at the table. Decrease salt added to recipes. Avoid obviously salty foods, cured meats, processed foods and many convenience foods. Watch for "sodium" listed in ingredients.
6. Limit the amount of fat in your diet, especially saturated fats found in fried foods, high-fat diary products, processed and high-fat meats, and foods prepared with palm, coconut, or hydrogenated oils. Increase you intake of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products.
7. Don't smoke! Avoid being around people who smoke.
8. Limit alcohol use. (our denomination believes we are to avoid alcohol altogether). Alcohol interferes with some drugs and adds calories. Large amounts increase blood pressure.
9. Take time to relax each day.
10. Keep a record of you blood pressure measurements.
Please take care of yourself. You only get one body and once the damage is done, many times it can not be reversed. Have a blessed week and remember to enjoy the gifts you have been blessed with!!!
In Christ
Rhonda
No comments:
Post a Comment