What is normal blood pressure?
Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats (about 60-70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries. This is called systolic pressure. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the diastolic pressure. Both are important. Usually they are written one above or before the other, such as 120/80 mmHg.
Blood pressure changes during the day. It is lowest as you sleep and rises when you get up. It also can rise when you are excited, active or nervous. A blood pressure reading on or below 120/80 is considered normal. In general, lower is better. However, very low blood pressures can sometimes be a cause for concern .
"Normal" blood pressures are on or lower than 120/80. "Prehypertension" is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher.
Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms. Some people may not find out they have it until they have trouble with their eyes, heart, brain, or kidneys.
Symptoms
Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, but people often think that headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds are common warning signs and symptoms of high blood pressure.
Headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds typically don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a more advanced stage - one that's possibly life-threatening. Even so, most people with the highest blood pressure readings don't experience any of these symptoms.
Other signs and symptoms sometimes associated with high blood pressure generally are caused by other conditions that can lead to high blood pressure. Such signs and symptoms include: excessive perspiration, muscle cramps, weakness, frequent urination and rapid or irregular heart beat .
Some of the most common risk factors for high blood pressure include family history, obesity, lack of physical exercise, excessive salt and alcohol consumption. In most cases, the precise cause of high blood pressure can't be identified. This is what's known as essential hypertension. In some cases, though, high blood pressure is the result of another disease or condition. This is known as secondary hypertension.
Maintaining a Balance of Sodium and Potassium
Your body needs a certain amount of sodium to function. Salt (sodium chloride) is the most common dietary source of sodium. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of sodium than others, however most people get far more than they need each day.
Potassium is a mineral that helps balance the amount of sodium in cell fluids. It rids cells of excess sodium through your kidneys, which filter out the sodium so that it can be excreted in your urine. Inadequate potassium can allow excess sodium to accumulate, increasing your risk of high blood pressure. While most of us get too much sodium, they get too little potassium. The best source of potassium is food, such as fruits and vegetables. The foods containing the highest amounts of potassium are sweet potato, papaya, dried apricots, baked potato, spinach, tomato juice and black strap molasses.
Life style changes
The safest way to control your blood pressure is to change your lifestyle:-
- Eat for health. Eat a healthy diet based on a variety of grains, fruit and vegetables.
- Achieve a healthy weight. Even losing as little as 10 pounds may reduce blood pressure.
- Exercise. Vigorous walking for 30 minutes most days of the week will lower blood pressure and help with weight loss .
- Don't smoke. When you have high blood pressure, using tobacco can lead to more cholesterol and constriction of blood vessels.
- Limit alcohol and caffeine. Even if you're healthy, alcohol and caffeine can raise your blood pressure to an unhealthy level.
- Managing Stress. Stress can increase your blood pressure temporarily and over time, the physical effects of stress can be damaging to your health. You can avoid and better cope with stress by making changes in your normal routine and by developing relaxation techniques. You may try simplifying your schedule, maintaining good social relationships, practicing positive thinking and scheduling daily time for solving or thinking about your problems. Relaxation techniques may include muscle relaxation exercises, guided imagery, meditation and deep-breathing exercises.
- Get plenty of sleep. Going to sleep and awakening at a consistent time each day can help you sleep well. A bedtime ritual such as taking a warm bath, reading or eating a snack helps many people relax.
The herbal mix for essential hypertension includes Rue, Nettle, Valerian, Mistletoe, Rosehips, Dandelion and Hawthorne along with the Bach Flowers Larch, Centaury, Aspen, Red Chestnut and Scleranthus. Together these herbs and Bach Flowers lower blood pressure, balance sodium and potassium levels, improve circulation, support the liver and assist the relaxation of the nervous system.
On an energetic level high blood pressure can mean an unresolved long standing emotional problem, sometimes it is necessary to release aspects of the past to be at peace. Blood pressure can also be associated with your self image. If the image you have of yourself is over inflated or unrealistic then blood pressure can also be high. You can "cool it" by regular yoga, swimming and meditation or working with those less fortunate and raising your humility.
Blood Pressure Support Kidney Malfunction
Blood Pressure Support Portal Vein Congestion
McDowell's Herbal Practice staff Herbalists cannot diagnose your disease or illness. What they can do is offer a Herbal program, to assist with healing, after you have had advice from your doctor or specialist. If you have unexplained pain or symptoms, seek medical advice. If you wish to ask for any further information or clarifications on this product please click on the link below.