The force of blood as it circulates against the blood vessel\’s inner walls is called blood pressure. There are many things affect blood pressure, causing it to rise.

– The amount of force with which the blood pumps
– The amount of blood in the body
– The blood vessel\’s diameter

So that generally, blood pressure rises when the heart pumps harder, there is an increase in the amount of blood in the body, or there is a decrease in the diameter of the blood vessels that carries the blood.

Importance

Adequate blood pressure is vital to those organs and tissues that depend on the nutrients and oxygen that the blood supplies to keep them healthy. Without the proper pressure, waste materials would damage cells that depend on venous blood to carry it away to be discarded. For this crucial exchange of nutrients and waste to occur, pressure and concentration must be maintained within certain levels.

High Blood Pressure

In the US, greater than fifty million people suffer from high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Contrary to how it sounds, it has nothing to do with being tense or hyperactive; it is a condition where the blood is flowing through the vessels at too great a pressure to ensure the health of the vessel over the long term. Any pressure that is 140 over 90 or higher is considered too high and unhealthy. This level will damage vessel walls over time, leading to very serious health issues.

Risk Factors

Secondary Hypertension is high blood pressure, which is caused by a disease, however most people who suffer from high blood pressure, suffer from essential or primary hypertension. The exact cause of this is unknown although the theories involve several mechanisms. Risk factors include:

– High blood pressure in family history
– Race
– Age
– Obesity
– Sedentary
– Diabetes mellitus

Knowledge

Understanding high blood pressure, including how to take a reading is important. Information can be found online, like HIPAA Training that can help. You can measure blood pressure with a tool called a sphygmomanometer. The cuff is placed around the upper arm and then tightened. When the blood flow through the brachial artery is stopped, the pressure is gradually released. Using a stethoscope placed in the crook of the elbow, you listen to blood flow and read the meter attached to the BP cuff. When the first sounds of pressure are heard, mark the top number. The last sound you hear as the pressure is released is the mark for the bottom number.

– Top number = Systolic This is the heart under contraction
– Bottom number = Diastolic This is the heart resting
– Average healthy blood pressure for an adult is 120 over 80.

High BP Problems

Besides damage to the blood vessels, High Blood Pressure can also damage the eyes, the kidneys, the brain, and the heart, including some of these problems:

– Stroke
– Cerebrovascular insufficiency
– Heart disease
– Congestive heart failure
– Kidney disease
– Kidney blood vessel damage

Steps You Can Take

– Low-fat diet
– Decrease salt
– Shed weight
– Don\’t smoke or quit smoking
– Avoid caffeine and alcohol
– Follow doctor\’s instructions
– Take your meds
– Exercise plan (doctors)
– Monitor BP
– Do not stop meds when you feel better

Treatment and Options

Treatment of high blood pressure includes diet, diuretics, sympathetic nervous system blocking drugs, and vasodilators. If you have or suspect you have high blood pressure, it is very important that you see your doctor soon. Damage to vessels or your heart can be irreversible and the earlier you catch it the better for you.

Author Bio: For more information please visit our Blood Borne Pathogens Training website.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Heart disease,brachial artery ,HIPAA Training ,High Blood Pressure,Blood Borne Pathogens Training