Posts Tagged ‘high blood pressure’
By Roberto Sedycias
What is blood pressure? It is the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of our blood vessels. Systolic blood pressure is measured when the heart contracts and diastolic blood pressure is measured when the heart relaxes. These readings can be recorded on a monitor. When these readings go beyond a certain range, it spells danger. There are hardly any symptoms which indicate high or low blood pressure. In fact, high blood pressure or hypertension is called `the silent killer'.
Hence, it is imperative for everyone to monitor them regularly. This can be done by visiting a medical practitioner or at home also. Blood pressure kits are a revolution in this direction. Studies have indicated that it is wiser to measure it at home with a kit than to get it measured by a doctor in his clinic. Results are more accurate and trust-worthy.
However, blood pressure kits need to be tested for accuracy from time to time. This can be done by comparing the readings between ones own kit and one taken by a regular doctor at his clinic. The two readings must nearly be the same.
The device which measures blood pressure is called a sphygmomanometer. A cuff is wrapped around the arm and tightened by means of a pump. A stethoscope is placed on the artery near the elbow. The air pressure is then released. When the blood first gushes through the blood vessels gives the systolic reading. Diastolic reading is taken when the pulse stops. The acceptable reading on the blood pressure kit is 120/80.
There are a variety of kits to choose from in the market. They vary in design, utility and price. Some kits are manual while others are auto inflated. Depending on the technology used, the features that blood pressure kits offer are:
* Irregular heart beat feature
* Pressure rating feature
* A multiple number of memory readings
* Average reading feature
* Blood pressure classification
* Body fat percentage and BMI
* Time and date feature
* Alarm clock and thermometer
* Excessive motion detection
Most kits measure blood pressure from the arm while some are used on the wrist and a few on the finger. Doctors suggest using the arm type kit as the readings are more dependable. It is as if proximity to the heart gives a better result. Finger type kits are totally discarded now as they showed inaccurate readings. Again, a higher price does not necessarily mean a better product. Research shows that cheaper models of blood pressure kits give more accurate results.
In recent times, man has been drawn towards astrology. This has led to innovations in astrological medicine and treatment. A Rudraksha blood pressure kit has been developed which claims to control blood pressure quite efficiently. However, it lacks medical confirmation.
The Rudraksha kit consists of two Rudraksha beads and a bloodstone pendant embedded in silver. The beads have to be soaked overnight in water. This water is to be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach. The bloodstone pendant is to be worn around the neck in such a manner that the bloodstone remains in the area of the heart. Blood pressure is expected to stabilize within a few days.
If we pay attention to the growing number of deaths due to hypertension, then purchase of a blood pressure kit becomes a must for one and all. However care must be taken to buy the proper and accurate blood pressure kit.
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil
Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension is considered to be a silent killer since it has no notable early symptoms. Due to the absence of symptoms, it could be hard to determine if you have hypertension or not. Therefore, it is wise to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
There are many factors that affect blood pressure. The main causes of high blood pressure have something to do with the kind of lifestyle we choose. If you smoke, drink too much alcohol, are overweight, and easily get stressed out, you are likely to develop high blood pressure.
Even though there are available prescription drugs for high blood pressure, many are still looking for natural remedies. Study shows that some high blood pressure natural remedies can be as effective as and more affordable than prescription drugs. And because they are natural, they do not contain harmful contents that most prescription drugs.
A change of lifestyle is one of the simplest natural remedies for high blood pressure. Being overweight is one culprit of high blood pressure and other health problems. Regulate your weight with regular exercise or by increasing your physical activities. Also, watch what you eat. Avoid excessive intake of sodium and potassium. Quit smoking and avoid stress and too much alcohol consumption to lower your high blood pressure. These things may not be possible to do at first and will not happen overnight, but motivate yourself by thinking of the positive result it can do to your blood pressure and health in general.
If your doctor found out that you are hypertensive, he or she would definitely suggest you to change your lifestyle that is if you have an unhealthy one. Aside from a change of lifestyle, your health practitioner may also prescribe you take some medications. However, certain drugs may side effects. This is why a lot of who suffer from hypertension are looking for alternative solution, which is natural remedies for high blood pressure.
Some of the recommended natural remedies for high blood pressure include taking Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), garlic, and fish oil supplements. A study shows that CoQ10 helps lower high blood pressure. Other recommended high blood pressure natural remedies are garlic supplements, hawthorn, folic acid, and fish oil.
On the other hand, taking garlic supplement requires your doctor's supervision. Although a study also shows that garlic can help reduce high blood pressure, it can also thin the blood (which has the same effect to aspirin) and may interact with other drugs or supplements.
Hawthorn is another known natural remedy for hypertension. It is being used by traditional herbal practitioners in treating mild high blood pressure.
Fish oil, on the other hand, is one of the natural treatments for high blood pressure. A study claims that fish oil had significant effect in lowering blood pressure due to its DHA component.
Since blood pressure is a silent disease, it could also silently kill you. Hypertension, if left untreated, will lead to serious condition such as heart failure and may damage other organs in your body. Therefore, a regular visit to your doctor and blood pressure check up helps prevent future problems.
Julie Wilkinson writes about alternative treatments for health-related conditions. To learn more about high blood pressure natural remedies, visit her website and get more helpful information on high blood pressure remedies.
