Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. It is a condition where the blood pressure is elevated or high above the normal range (about 120mmHg/80mmHg) using a mercury sphygmomanometer (an instrument used in checking blood pressure).

Mechanism used in measuring blood pressure with sphygmomanometer:

The cloth-like end (armband) is inflated in order to contract the muscles of the arm which in turns contract an artery called brachial artery. A stethoscope is placed on that area to take the pulsation of the brachial artery. At the point of inflating the cloth-like end (armband), the mercury in the sphygmomanometer is raised by the pressure. As the air in the cloth-like end (armband) is released, the calibrated mercury containing tube is watched cautiously to know its reading when the pressure-occluded artery would pulsate. At the point of the first flow of blood is the systole and it is recorded. As the pressure is released the more, it will come to a point when pulsation cannot be heard from the stethoscope place on the arm. This is the diastole.

Systole is the point or the pressure when blood is pump around the body while diastole is the point when blood flows into the heart.

What causes hypertension?

One can develop high blood pressure due to one’s lifestyle or as a secondary symptom to another ailment. Here are list of lifestyle that can cause high blood pressure:

Physical Inactivity: This is when someone is dependent on his car or any other vehicle to take him everywhere, no walking and no other physical exercise. Physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity which is a risk factor.

Age: Most individual develops hypertension at old age, so there is high risk of hypertension as one gets older.

Alcohol and Tobacco: They are generally not good for health. Abstinence would go a long way in keeping one healthier.

Salt Intake: High salt intake increases the risk of high blood pressure.

Family History: Having a family member who suffered from high blood pressure means you have chances of developing the same. It is not for you to panic but to watch your lifestyle closely.

Emotional Stress or Depression: These conditions tend to elevate blood pressure. So learn how to manage your stress.

These factors may work in union with other body system abnormalities to cause hypertension.

Hypertension can also occur secondary to the following health conditions:

Diabetes

Pregnancy

Kidney disease etc.

Symptoms of Hypertension:

There are no direct symptoms to hypertension, which is why it can easily kill someone.

Also, long term hypertension can cause another condition called arteriosclerosis, a condition in which plagues are formed on the walls of blood vessels narrowing it.

Foods that help in management of Hypertension:

The uniqueness of a particular food or meal is its nutritional content. So, whenever you want to eat, ask yourself what you can benefit from eating the food.

These foods are rich in essential nutrients, protein and fiber but low in cholesterol, fat and sodium. They include:

Fruits: they are rich in essential vitamins, minerals and fibers.

Vegetables: they are also rich in minerals, vitamins and high in fiber.

Poultry: it is a white meat much better and healthier than the red variety.

Fish: rich in essential protein and contains good essential oil.

Whole grains: they are rich in protein and fiber.

Nuts: rich in protein and essential oil.

Low-fat dairy products: rich in protein and contains low fat.

The best approach to living healthy is exercising always, eating healthy meal, going for regular medical check-up and living positive.