Hypertension: The Silent Killer

Approximately one out of four or 50 million Americans has hypertension. Hypertension is a risky condition that may lead to heart attack, stroke or kidney failure. Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day. If you suffer from hypertension your vessels could be damaged with each beat of your heart.


Hypertension per se


Hypertension takes place when arterioles, small blood vessels that branch off from the arteries, become contracted making it hard for blood to pass through them. As a result, blood pressure rises causing your heart to work harder. If your blood pressure at rest stays at 140/90 or more, you may have hypertension. It usually presents no clear symptoms, this is why it is regarded as the silent killer. Few people may experience headaches or dizziness in the morning but, for most, there are no symptoms at all. The easiest and most reliable way to find out is to have your blood pressure checked often.


Risk Factors


The risk of having hypertension is linked to a lot of factors. A lot of men are affected by it compared to women. If you have a history of hypertension, diabetes or kidney disease in the family you may likely have it too. African American descent is another risk factor. If you smoke or is an alcoholic, that can trigger hypertension. Obesity is another factor. For women who are taking oral contraceptives, one of its risks is this malady. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you are prone to diseases and one of it is hypertension. Persons over 35 years of age are mostly victimized by hypertension.


Controlling your Blood Pressure

Living with hypertension doesn't have to be difficult. By making small, gradual changes to your lifestyle, you will be able to control your blood pressure. Eating nutritious foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables is advisable. Reduce on added salt and avoid high sodium foods such as chips, processed meats, fast food, cured or smoked products and prepared foods. Chinese foods are often high in sodium so avoid those kinds of foods. Limit saturated fat to no more than 10 percent of daily calories and reduce cholesterol intake to no more than 100 mg per 1000 calories of food. French and Mexican food tends to be high in fat so restrict from eating these foods. Always look for fresh ingredients cooked lightly with little sauce. Beware of other terms for sodium (Na) like sodium chloride, salt, MSG, some antacids, soy sauce, baking soda, monosodium, teriyaki sauce and baking powder to avoid hypertension. Exercise is also a great way to avoid it. Exercising regularly can help maintain your ideal body weight. It can also detoxify you to work out a sound body. Smoking and drinking must be stopped to keep away from any health trouble. A recent study by Harvard University reveals that higher intake of folic acid is associated with a decreased risk of developing high blood pressure particularly among younger women.

Latest Alternative Remedies

Herbs like garlic and hawthorn can make a great help to reduce the risk of hypertension. Studies suggest that raw garlic (Allium sativum) may have beneficial cardiovascular effects, including lowered blood pressure, but further research is necessary before it can be routinely recommended for people with hypertension. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), though has not been studied specifically for hypertension, considerable evidence supports the cardiovascular benefits of this herb. Studies suggest that hawthorn can be taken safely by people with hypertension who are taking blood pressure medications. Other useful herbs are Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) and Red Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng).

You can also manage your stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, yoga and development of positive attitude. One study of older African Americans living in an urban setting found that those who participated in a transcendental meditation (TM) or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) program had a momentous reduction in blood. In addition to TM and PMR, self-hypnosis and biofeedback have shown promising results in recent studies. Biofeedback in particular may reduce elevated blood pressure from stress to achieve healthful lifestyle adjustments. Massage and Physical Therapy has beneficial effects by reducing stress. One recent study revealed that people with hypertension who receive massage showed significant reductions in blood pressure and steroid hormones, an indicator of stress. To boot, massage tends to help people stick with healthy behaviors.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation can also help reduce high blood pressure. In fact, on rare occasions, chiropractic session may actually cause extreme low blood pressure.

The customary Chinese practice of qi gong, which combines meditation, pulsing or animal-like movements, breathing exercises, spiritual practices, and self-massage, may be a helpful addition to lifestyle modifications and medication in treating hypertension, particularly in the elderly.

It is important to consult your doctor if you suspect that you have hypertension. Once it is already diagnosed, treatment can be initiated. It is likewise important to see your doctor regularly for consultation and follow-up treatments.

Untreated hypertension can lead to very serious complications like heart attack and stroke. It also increases the risk of developing certain diseases of the heart, blood vessels, kidney and brain. Nevertheless, successful treatment of hypertension can help prevent such risky complications.

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