Signs Of High Blood Pressure:
Unfortunately, there are often no signs or symptoms associated with high blood pressure or hypertension, as it is known. You could be feeling perfectly fine and yet still be suffering from high blood pressure. Regularly having your blood pressure level recorded by a health professional or at home, is the only certain way of knowing your levels.
By the way, it is wise avoid the "self-service" type of blood pressure machines often found in some shopping malls and other public places. These can be quite inaccurate and lead to a false diagnosis. If your blood pressure is not within the normal range for your age, body type and physical condition, it is crucial that you have it checked often and seek the proper treatment and remedy. Understanding the prime causes of high blood pressure is very important.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms:
High blood pressure is frequently known as "the silent killer" and appropriately so, considering this condition can cause so many serious complications, ranging from heart attack and stroke, to kidney disease. Many sufferers of hypertension exhibit little or no symptoms, while others may sometimes exhibit headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, or nausea. The problem is, that these signs or symptoms, tend to be very non-specific, in that they could be caused by a variety of other conditions.
Unfortunately, organ or tissue damage has already occurred by the time that any signs of high blood pressure are noticeable. This is exactly the reason why it is so important to have your blood pressure monitored regularly. Only by knowing your exact condition can you take the necessary steps to reduce hypertension and prevent potentially serious problems and often irreversible health complications.
How Is Blood Pressure Measured?
Although blood pressure can be measured from several places on the body, the upper arm is considered the most accurate. This involves placing an inflatable cuff around the arm and applying air pressure to the cuff. This is attached to a scale, measured by a column of mercury. This device is called a sphygmomanometer, which is quite a mouthful! It works on the premise that the increased air pressure placed on the artery, squeezes it and shuts off the blood supply. The observer then places a stethoscope over your arm, just below the cuff and over the artery.
After inflation, the pressure in the cuff is slowly released and the column of mercury is observed. The point at which the blood begins flowing through the artery again is noted and this number is your systolic blood pressure. The inflated pressure continues to be slowly released, until the observer can no longer hear the sound of blood flowing through the artery, because of its return to full volume. This reading is your diastolic blood pressure. The generally accepted level of high blood pressure is a systolic reading at or above 140, and a diastolic reading at or above 90. If your blood pressure falls into this category, then heed the signs. Have your blood pressure checked regularly and if hypertension is confirmed, obtain treatment and consider the possibility of natural remedies. Read more about the causes of high blood pressure and learn about the natural remedies available for high blood pressure.
Filed under Heart disease by on Jun 26th, 2010.