Blood pressure is the force created by the blood against the arteries and
blood vessels as it is pumped by the heart. If the blood pressure is too low circulation
is impaired or even stopped. This occurs most often when an injury causes a large blood
loss. When pressure is too high, it places a strain on the arteries and even the heart.
This can lead to serious problems throughout the body (like
stroke).
Of all the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) is
the biggest. This becomes even more critical over the age of 65, the age group most likely
to suffer from heart disease.
Since high blood pressure is so
common everyone needs to have their blood pressure checked at least once a year. When the
doctor checks it they will have the patient stand for one reading and sit for another. If
the blood pressure is high the first time the doctor may ask the patient comeback for a
follow-up before initiating treatment. This is done because many factors affect blood
pressure including the normal feelings of worry during the office visit to the doctor.
The blood pressure reading is given
as two numbers. Both are important. The larger number is seen when the heart contracts and
pumps the blood. This is called the systolic pressure. It indicates how hard the heart is
pumping to get the blood through the arteries. When the heart relaxes between beats the
pressure falls. This is the second number, the diastolic blood pressure.
While blood pressure does vary
among people the average (normal) blood pressure is considered to be 120/80. Blood
pressure varies throughout the day in response to stress, physical activity, and other
factors.
About 90% of people diagnosed with
high blood pressure have essential or primary hypertension. This is blood pressure with no
obvious underlying cause. The rest have high blood pressure do to another medical
condition such as kidney disease or thyroid problems.
Many things combine together to
cause high blood pressure. Diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, stimulant use, drug abuse,
high sodium and caffeine consumption, obesity, oral, contraceptives, stress, and
pregnancy.
For mild hypertension doctors may
suggest some lifestyle changes, weight loss, aerobic exercise, low salt diet, and lower
alcohol consumption. These changes may bring the blood pressure down to the normal range.
If high blood pressure control can not be obtained through these changes then the doctor
may ad medications.
Once their blood pressure is down
many people think they no longer need treatment and stop. When lifestyle changes or
medications bring down the blood pressure the patient needs to understand that these are
controlling the blood pressure problem but they do not cure it. It is important to
understand these changes need to be continued for the rest of the patients life. It is a
lifelong commitment.
Herbal
Pharmacist - For Better Health 
![[Under Construction]](_borders/undercon.jpg){kind=small}
