What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, has been linked to many abnormal conditions in the human body. It contributes to organs not functioning as they should and increases the risk of organ failure.
Your blood circulates through your body because your heart pumps it. Your veins and arteries are the blood supply and return lines from and to your heart. For blood to move, it needs to be under pressure within these tubes.
Everyone has a pressure that is normal for their body. When your heart beats, this pressure is called systolic pressure and is represented by the first number of your blood pressure reading.
When your heart relaxes between beats, the pressure in your veins and arteries is called diastolic pressure. This is the second number in your blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) because the first accurate pressure measuring device used mercury as the gauge.
Normal blood pressure can range up to 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is usually diagnosed at 140/90 mmHg.
Doctors have known for many years how to treat high blood pressure to ensure people live a long and happy life. They have identified many foods that you can eat which can lower your blood pressure. These foods also reduce the risk of someone developing high blood pressure.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
You might not know that you have high blood pressure. It usually doesn’t have any symptoms associated with it.
The only way you can tell is to measure your blood pressure every day.
Causes of high blood pressure
Several factors can cause high blood pressure:
- Inactive lifestyle: If you don’t get enough physical exercise, your blood pressure can rise because your heart isn’t as efficient as it could be.
- Stress
- Unhealthy Diet
- Genetics: Your genes may have a part to play in high blood pressure because some people have a naturally higher blood pressure than others.
- Overweight: People with high body mass indexes generally have higher blood pressure.
- Bad lifestyle choices: Smoking, smokeless tobacco use, and drinking alcohol all increase your blood pressure.
Diagnosis for high blood pressure
Only a licensed healthcare professional can diagnose high blood pressure.
It is a natural occurrence as we age, so anyone can develop high blood pressure. Whether you’re obese or overly muscular, if you are overweight then you have a higher chance of developing high blood pressure.
Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure before the age of 55. Women tend to develop the condition more than men after age 55. A person’s race also influences whether they develop high blood pressure.
QUESTION
Salt and sodium are the same. See AnswerTreating high blood pressure with diet
Doctors have been calling for dietary changes as the best way to lower your blood pressure for many years.
While there are many food choices that you can use to lower your risk of developing high blood pressure, not many have been proven to lower it on their own. A combination of foods is the best way to lower your risk of high blood pressure and possibly reduce it.
DASH
The Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) was developed based on findings of studies done by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This plan combines healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains with fat-free or low-fat fish, poultry, beans, and nuts.
The DASH approach also limits sugary beverages, sweets, and sugary foods. Red meat should also be limited because it is high in fat and sodium. Any wheat and whole grain foods should include the bran and the germ. These whole grain foods have been shown to help lower blood pressure.
Potassium
Foods that are high in potassium have been proven to reduce the effect that salt, or sodium, has on your circulatory system. A high sodium intake is related to high blood pressure. Potassium makes your body flush out sodium.
Foods such as bananas, avocados, lima beans, mushrooms, and many more are high in potassium. They can help reduce your blood pressure by flushing out extra sodium.
More Health News »Risks and complications of high blood pressure
High blood pressure can create severe problems within your body. It can cause strokes, dementia, or a heart attack. High blood pressure can only be diagnosed by your doctor.
If you’ve been to see the doctor and they determine you have high blood pressure, they might decide to give you medications designed to lower it.
Medications may have different side effects. Consult your healthcare provider about possible complications of any medications you might take for your high blood pressure.
Doctors might also prescribe dietary changes after talking to you about your lifestyle and blood pressure. They will likely recommend that you exercise for 30 minutes a day, or get at least that much physical activity if you can’t exercise.
With diet, medicine, and exercise, you can reduce your chances of developing high blood pressure and the other health problems that it can cause. Dietary changes and healthier lifestyles tend to reduce blood pressure and often lead to a longer, more enjoyable life.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
American Heart Association: "Managing Blood Pressure with a Heart-Healthy Diet."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes."
Kansas Medical Center: "What do Blood Pressure Readings mean?"
Mayo Clinic: "Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?"
Mayo Clinic: "DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure."
Mayo Clinic: "10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication."
Top What To Eat to Lower Blood Pressure Immediately Related Articles
Potassium Foods
It turns out lots of things have more potassium than a banana! Here's a guide to the tastiest choices.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.
Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.
The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.
If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.
REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
High Blood Pressure & Body
High blood pressure puts you at risk for a number of other conditions. Here's what to look out for.
What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)? Symptoms, Treatments
What causes high blood pressure (hypertension)? What is normal blood pressure? Know the warning signs and symptoms of high blood pressure. Read about high blood pressure medications, diet, and long-term treatments.
HBP Quiz
Take this quiz and test your IQ of high blood pressure (hypertension), the cardiovascular disease that causes most strokes and heart attacks. How are dizziness, snoring, and gout related to HBP? Find the answer and learn how medical treatments and lifestyle adjustments fight this common problem.
Things to Know About High Blood Pressure Treatment
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
15 Surprising Things That Raise Your Blood Pressure
Salt, worry, and anger aren't the only things that can raise your blood pressure. Risk factors like loneliness and birth control may also affect blood pressure. See what else can bump your numbers up.
Hypertension-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease
Hypertension-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-standing kidney condition that develops over time due to persistent or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension).
Is A Manual Blood Pressure More Accurate?
Manual blood pressure gives accurate results when used correctly by a trained person. However, manual blood pressure measurement is not the recommended type of blood pressure monitoring for home use because it requires some training.
Portal Hypertension
Portal hypertension is most commonly caused by cirrhosis, a disease that results from scarring of the liver. Other causes of portal hypertension include blood clots in the portal vein, blockages of the veins that carry the blood from the liver to the heart, and a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis. Symptoms of portal hypertension include varices (enlarged veins), vomiting blood, blood in the stool, black and tarry stool, ascites (abnormal fluid collection within the peritoneum, the sac that contains the intestines within the abdominal cavity), confusion and lethargy, splenomegaly or enlargement of the spleen, and decreased white blood cell counts.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries that carry blood from the lungs to the heart. The most common symptoms are fatigue and difficulty breathing. If the condition goes undiagnosed, more severe symptoms may occur. As pulmonary hypertension worsens, some people with the condition have difficulty performing any activities that require physical exertion. While there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, it can be managed and treated with medications and supplemental oxygen to increase blood oxygen levels.
What Does Potassium Do for Your Body?
Your body needs potassium to help your nerves, heart, and muscles function correctly. But high potassium levels can lead to health problems.
What Time of Day Is Blood Pressure Highest?
Your blood pressure follows a pattern, rising a while before you wake up. It is the highest at midday and tends to drop in the evening or late afternoon.
When Is Blood Pressure Lowest and Highest During the Day?
Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. Check your blood pressure twice a day at around the same time every day.
Which Blood Pressure Number Is the Most Important?
The blood that flows through the arteries (blood vessels carrying blood from the heart to other parts of the body) exerts pressure against the arterial walls. The number above (120) is called the systolic blood pressure and the number below (80) is called the diastolic blood pressure. Though both readings are important, many doctors believe that systolic blood pressure is a better predictor of complications of hypertension, such as heart disease or stroke.