What Is Hypertension ?
Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, affects 1 out of every 4 Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association. High blood pressure is usually a symptom of a larger problem, whether your saturated fat content is too high, your LDL cholesterol is through the roof or your cardiovascular health simply isn't where it should be. If your doctor has found that you have high blood pressure, then you should at least be glad it was detected early. With some diet modifications and lifestyle changes, you can still minimize your risk of complications before it's too late.
If you are hypertensive, then it can be caused by many lifestyle choices. For instance, a 2005 study found that women who took 500 mg of Tylenol each day for headaches or pains were more likely to develop high blood pressure than women who did not. Users of cocaine and amphetamines, as well as smokers, were also more at risk.
High body fat, high salt intake, low potassium intake, high cholesterol levels, inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption and high stress are often linked to hypertension as well. Health experts say that this condition isn't so cut-and-dry, that poor lifestyle choices aren't always the culprit. Some people are just at risk because they're aging, pregnant or born into a family with a history of high blood pressure.
The next time you visit the doctor, listen for the reading when the inflatable arm cuff is squeezing your arm. The ideal number indicating normal blood pressure is 115/75. The doctor may say you have hypertension if your numbers are 120-139, which indicates systolic pressure, or over 80-89 for diastolic pressure. Stage one hypertension is a reading of 140-159/90-99 and stage two is a reading of 160+/100+. Don't feel alarmed by one high reading. You may have eaten a high cholesterol breakfast of bacon and eggs before coming in for tests and your heart is just working a little harder than usual. However, you should perform heart health tests either at home or return for another check up very soon to be sure.
A 2006 study found that adults who worked more than 40-50 hours per week were more likely to have high blood pressure and poor heart health than those who worked less than 40 hours. While hard work may be the "American way" and has become a necessity for many families across the US, health experts say that it's taking its toll on our sleep, our diets and our time set aside to spend relaxing or exercising. All these factors make us more susceptible to hypertension and an untimely death. Perhaps, if we just take a moment to examine our lifestyle choices, then we can add another 10 years onto our lives.
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Today's Tip On Cholesterol
As with anything, vitamins should be balanced. The usual daily requirements for an average adult are as follows: vitamin A: 600 microgram (retinal), vitamin D: 2.5 microgram, vitamin B1: 1.2 mg, vitamin B2: 1.4 mg, Niacin: 16 mg, vitamin B6: 2 mg, pantothenic acid: 10 mg, folic acid: 100 mg, vitamin B12: 1 mg and vitamin C: 60 mg. If you're taking heart medication, then be aware that you will need potassium and calcium supplements because many of these drugs deplete your levels as a side effect.
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