High blood pressure| You can prevent this silent killer if you want

Preliminary discussion: In today’s discussion, I will discuss blood pressure or high blood pressure measurement rules, causes of high blood pressure, symptoms of high blood pressure, ways to reduce high blood pressure, ways to reduce high blood pressure immediately, and related details.

High blood pressure is a silent killer. It slowly destroys the patient from the inside. Therefore, it is very important to know the rules and regulations for measuring blood pressure correctly.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls as it flows through the arteries. The pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls during the contraction of the heart is called systolic blood pressure. The pressure exerted by the blood on the artery wall during heart expansion is called diastolic pressure.

What is the normal level of blood pressure?

A healthy person’s blood pressure will normally be between 120-129/80 mmHg. We can divide the variation in blood pressure between individuals into four categories.

Parts of stethoscope image

Normal: Normal blood pressure in a healthy person is 120/80 mmHg.

Mild: This is the very initial level of blood pressure increase. In this case, the blood pressure will usually be around 130/80 mmHg.

Moderate: Whenever a person’s blood pressure is between 130-159/80 mmHg on this scale, it is called the moderate stage. In this state of blood pressure, the patient should be very aware because if this condition does not prevent the blood pressure, it will increase the risk of high blood pressure for the patient.

Severe: This situation is terrifying. A patient can have a stroke under any circumstances, so one must be extremely aware. In this case, the patient’s blood pressure will exceed this limit of 180+/110+ mmHg.

Symptoms and causes of high blood pressure:

If a person has high blood pressure, some uncomfortable symptoms will appear in his body. Now we will discuss the symptoms of high blood pressure. Along with that, I will present some information about the causes of high blood pressure.

Symptoms of high blood pressure:

In many cases, there are no physical symptoms of high blood pressure. It silently destroys the patient from within. Hence, it is called a silent killer. However, when the symptoms appear, the symptoms that are usually seen are:

Headache: The patient has a severe headache, especially at the back of the head. The patient may also experience dizziness.

Chest Pain: Heart disease can cause pain and discomfort along the left side of the chest.

Weakness and Fatigue: The patient is short of breath. Feeling very weak and tired.

Shortness of breath: The patient is seen to have shortness of breath with little exertion.

Eye problems: The patient has blurred vision and reduced vision.

Causes of high blood pressure:

Lifestyle: Inadequate physical activity, an unhealthy diet, an unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, drinking, excessive salt intake, etc. create a risk of high blood pressure.

Other health problems: Diabetes, kidney problems, other heart diseases, hormonal imbalance, etc., create the risk of high blood pressure. Some medications can also cause high blood pressure as a side effect.

Family history: If there is one more patient with high blood pressure among family members, the risk of developing high blood pressure is relatively high.

If high blood pressure is not controlled, it can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, kidney problems, stroke, etc. So one should check blood pressure regularly and lead a healthy life.

Ways to control high blood pressure:

High blood pressure is not a disease caused by a defect in the vital force; it is a disease caused by an irregular lifestyle. For this reason, the role of a healthy lifestyle is essential to preventing and curing this disease.

Healthy food: To stay physically fit and control high blood pressure, one must eat healthy food, vegetables, and fruits. Along with this, all unhealthy foods, like excess salt, and fatty foods, should be moderated. Along with this, smoking, drinking, and tobacco addiction should be avoided.

Regular physical exercise: There is no substitute for regular physical exercise to maintain physical fitness, including controlling blood pressure.

Weight control: Being overweight can cause high blood pressure. So weight must be controlled.

Reduce mental stress: Excessive stress can cause high blood pressure. Stress should be controlled as much as possible.

Regular checkup: A regular checkup should be done to ensure blood pressure. And live accordingly.

Medicines: If it is necessary to take medicine to control blood pressure, the medicine should be taken under the advice of an experienced doctor.

Remember to be patient to control high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be controlled by patiently practicing a healthy and ethical lifestyle.

Should blood pressure ever be measured?

1) If someone is at risk of high blood pressure, his blood pressure should be measured regularly.
2) If there are symptoms such as headache, burning in the neck, especially on the left side of the neck, nausea, weakness, or shortness of breath, the pressure should be measured.
3) In any illness, blood pressure should be measured as per the doctor’s advice.

To be done before measuring blood pressure:

Before measuring the blood pressure, the patient has to do:

1) Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, tea-coffee, Jordan-tobacco, etc. Also, avoid exercise or such physical exertion 30 minutes before blood pressure measurement to get an accurate reading.

2) Be physically and mentally calm for at least five minutes before taking the blood pressure measurement. Don’t worry, and don’t talk to anyone.

3) Keep the hand clothes as loose as possible for proper blood circulation.

Rules for measuring blood pressure:

What the patient should do while measuring blood pressure:

Place: The patient will sit in a clean place with light and air.

Sitting posture: Sit with your back straight and feet on the floor. Keep the arm straight along the chest.

Cuff: Tie the cuff lightly, just above the elbow.

Stethoscope: One end of it (ear tips) should be placed in the ear, and the diaphragm should be placed in the elbow.

Pump: Pump slowly.

Reading: Note when the systolic beat begins and when the diastolic beat ends.

Repeat measurement: Measure the pressure twice. Measure with the other hand if necessary. Many people have differences between the two hand pressures. If this difference is 10 mmHg or more, then the high measurement should be adopted.

Quality machine: Use a quality BP machine properly to get accurate readings.

What is systolic blood pressure?

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure produced by the blood flowing through the arteries during the contraction of the heart. The normal range of systolic blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg. But up to 129 mmHg, it is considered normal. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, etc. It can also increase other health risks. Measure your systolic blood pressure regularly and take steps to lower it if it is high.

1) Eat healthy food in moderation.
2) Exercise regularly.
3) Avoid smoking or any addiction.
4) If you are overweight, reduce it.
5) Reduce excessive stress.
6) Take medicine if necessary on the doctor’s advice.

What is diastolic blood pressure?

Right between two systolic heartbeats, the heart expands and relaxes. And the chambers of the heart are filled with blood. The pressure exerted by the blood in the arteries during this expansion of the heart is called diastolic blood pressure. This measurement indicates how relaxed and filled with blood the blood vessels are. The heart prepares for the next contraction in this state.

Diastolic blood pressure between 80-84 mmHg is considered normal. Diastolic blood pressure above 84 mmHg is considered hypertension.

If either of these two pressures, systolic or diastolic, rises above a certain value, it is called high blood pressure. Sometimes both pressures can increase, and sometimes either systolic or diastolic pressures can increase too much. It may not always be the case that both pressures are higher.

Even if diastolic blood pressure is high, follow the rules mentioned above to control blood pressure.

Blood pressure usually refers to high blood pressure. There is no medicine on the market for low blood pressure. It is to deal with low blood pressure by changing or controlling lifestyle and dietary habits.

It should be remembered that high diastolic pressure is more dangerous than high systolic pressure.

What to do immediately if the pressure drops?

Salt and sugar are commonly found to be very helpful in raising high blood pressure. Therefore, high blood pressure patients have to moderate these foods. On the other hand, if the pressure drops suddenly, mixing a little salt and sugar with water and drinking it like sherbet immediately increases the pressure. The saline available on the market also contains salt and sugar. As a result, even after taking it, the blood pressure increases immediately. Boiled eggs also help raise blood pressure. That is, high blood pressure patients should avoid these foods. And patients with low blood pressure will take them in moderation as needed.

Now we will know some more important questions and answers about high blood pressure.

Question: Which hand should measure blood pressure?

Answer: Generally, the blood pressure of people can vary slightly between the two arms. It is said that blood pressure should be measured in the right hand of men and the left hand of women. But this is not correct. A person should measure the pressure in both arms. In the case of the person for whom the pressure is found to be high, the hand should be measured regularly.

Q: When is the right time to measure pressure?

A: The timing of this pressure measurement depends on the individual’s situation. But in general, the times when pressure should be measured are:

1) Before getting out of bed in the morning.

2) After work in the afternoon, before dinner.

3) Before going to sleep at night.

Q: Is high blood pressure harmful to pregnant women?

A: Yes, high blood pressure causes various health risks for both the pregnant mother and the baby, such as pre-eclampsia, Eclampsia, diabetes, miscarriage, premature birth etc. For this reason, expectant mothers must keep high blood pressure under control.

Q: What to eat and what not to eat in high blood pressure?

A: Diet and lifestyle management are natural ways to reduce high blood pressure. Among the foods that are beneficial for patients with high blood pressure are various green vegetables such as spinach, kale, cauliflower, jute, tomato, radish, cabbage, gourd, cucumber, beans, eggplant, etc.

Various fruits like Banana, Papaya, Lemon, Amalaki, Guava, Pomegranate, Grapefruit,  Orange, Malta, etc.

Also, moderate amounts of fish, chicken, pulses, curd, nuts,

But the point is that no matter how nutritious the food is, it should be moderate. Nutritious food is not good for the body if eaten in excess.

Foods that are usually avoided by high blood pressure patients are:

Red meat, foods with extra oil and spices, processed foods, fast food, alcohol, sugary foods and drinks, smoking, etc.

Regular light exercise, according to individual circumstances, is necessary to control high blood pressure.

This list of foods mentioned above is just a general guideline. Consult a doctor to get a list of suitable diets for individual cases.

Bottom line: Regular blood pressure measurement is essential for a healthy life. Awareness is essential for a healthy and beautiful life.

Read more:
How to quickly lower blood pressure

Dr. Dipankar Mondala.
Registered Homeopath.
16.03.2024

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