High Blood Pressure

A normal heart beats 60 to 80 times per minute. Each time your heart contracts, it sends a surge of blood into your arteries and the blood pressure in your arteries increases. Conversely, when your heart relaxes between beats, your blood pressure decreases.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure occurs when the smaller blood vessels which branch out from the arteries are narrowed, making it difficult for the blood to flow through. As a result, your heart is forced to work harder and your blood pressure rises.

It is important to note that if your blood pressure rises to 140/90 or more and stays there, you have high blood pressure, commonly referred to as hypertension. Ninety to ninety-five percent of cases of high blood pressure have no known cause.

Why Do I Have High Blood Pressure?

Research scientists have not discovered specific causes yet, but do believe that there are some factors that may increase the chance that a person will develope high blood pressure. Some of these factors are sex, race, obesity, heredity, sensitivity to sodium, heavy alcohol abuse, and use of oral contraceptives.

How Do You Know If You Have High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure may have no symptoms, that is why it is considered dangerous and physicians refer to it as the "silent killer".

The only true way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure tested regularly.

Your physician will normally obtain a blood pressure reading with each office visit. However, if you do not see your doctor on a regular basis, or have no doctor, blood pressure screenings are available throughout the area. You may contact Medic Rescue Community Outreach at 724-728-6633 for information on the place, date, and time that they will be providing this service at no charge.

Treatment For High Blood Pressure

Most physicians, after diagnosing high blood pressure, will usually suggest some combination of diet, exercise, or medication to bring your blood pressure under control.

Statistics show that most overweight people have high blood pressure and when they lose weight, their blood pressure drops automatically. So, if you've been advised by a health professional to go on a diet, make sure you watch what you eat.

Some people think that exercise is bad for their blood pressure, but in fact, exercise and recreation should be a part of your daily program. Exercise can even help individuals maintain their ideal body weight. Contact a qualified health professional who can get you on your way to exercising properly.

For some individuals, weight loss and exercise are not just enough to lower blood pressure. In these cases, your doctor will probably suggest some form of medication wich will help regulate your blood pressure.

Remember, take care of your body and see a physician regularly.