Basics of Blood Pressure (Sodium and high blood pressure)

June 7, 2008 at 1:15 am · Filed under Causes of Blood Pressure

Tip! Depression, though not directly related to high blood pressure, is often one of the consequences when hypertension begins to affect the body’s organs and the health issues become more complicated.

The heart is a vital organ that pumps blood to different parts of the body. The outflow of the blood takes place when the heart’s left ventricle contracts. Then the blood is forced into the arteries, which expand to receive the incoming blood. These arteries have a muscular lining, which resists this pressure. Thus, the blood is squeezed out of them into the smaller vessels of the body. By blood pressure, we mean the amount of pressure that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries. The amount of pressure depends on the heart muscle’s strength, the amount of blood in the circulatory system and the condition of the arteries.

Tip! Lower your salt intake - A diet rich in sodium can increase your blood pressure. Salt is naturally found in many of the foods and beverages we consume.

There are two kinds of pressures - maximum and minimum. The maximum pressure occurs when the left ventricle contracts. It is called systolic pressure. The minimum pressure occurs just before the heartbeat which follows. It is called the diastolic pressure. When a doctor measures the blood pressure, he uses an instrument in which a column of mercury rises or falls under the pressure. It is marked in millimeters. The average systolic pressure in a young man is about 120 mm of mercury and the diastolic pressure is about 80. These figures are usually stated as 120/80 or 120 over 80.

Blood pressure usually rises with age because the arteries become less flexible. Anxiety or exercise may also cause pressure to rise temporarily. It is also increased by a number of diseases. A person is said to have high blood pressure or hypertension of it exceeds the 100 plus his age or if his diastolic pressure is greater than 100. High blood pressure can cause heart failure, apoplexy, or kidney diseases. Abnormally low blood pressure occurs when a person has a heart attack or loses large amount of blood because of some injury etc. When the blood press falls considerably, the oxygen supply to the brain and other parts of the body also are reduced. This can result in serious complications including death. Physicians use drugs, which contract the muscular walls of the blood vessels to raise the blood pressure.

Tip! Become physically active immediately if you are not already. Good physical exercise is one of the best ways to lower your blood pressure, and lower high cholestrol levels too.

Abnormally high blood pressure may be due to the constriction of arteries. It may also be due to damage to one or both kidneys causing them to release more rennin. Excessive weight and lack of exercise can also contribute to hypertension. High blood pressure may cause heart failure. It may also burst a blood vessel in the eye or the brain and cause blindness or a hemorrhage.

When someone has high or low blood pressure, he or she should consult a good doctor and undergo proper treatment. High blood pressure has no cure but can be kept under control by regular monitoring. With modern technology, it is no longer needed to have a stethoscope and pump meter to display someone’s blood pressure. Instead, electronic gadgets that can be attached to the forearm or even the wrist have appeared that accurately provide the reading to the patient without the help of another person. Such devices should be used regularly by a person diagnosed with high blood pressure to ensure a healthy living.

Tip! Regular exercise - Staying active is a great way to keep in shape and control blood pressure. Engaging in regular exercise (a minimum of 30 - 60 minutes everyday or every other day) will help you decrease your risk of developing hypertension.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Blood Pressure

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