HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OVERVIEW
The heart pumps blood into the arteries with enough force to push blood to the far reaches of each organ from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet. Blood pressure can be defined as the pressure of blood on the walls of the arteries as it circulates through the body. Blood pressure is highest as its leaves the heart through the aorta and gradually decreases as it enters smaller and smaller blood vessels (arteries, arterioles, and capillaries). Blood returns in the veins leading to the heart, aided by gravity and muscle contraction.
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It is known as the "silent killer" since it has no initial symptoms but can lead to long-term disease and complications.
Many people have high blood pressure and don't know it. Important complications of uncontrolled or poorly treated high blood pressure include heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease, and aortic aneurysms (weakening of the wall of the aorta, leading to widening or ballooning of the aorta).Public awareness of these dangers has increased. High blood pressure has become the second most common reason for medical office visits in the world.
How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff and recorded as two numbers, for example, 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). Blood pressure measurements are usually taken at the upper arm over the brachial artery.
The top, larger number is called the systolic pressure. This measures the pressure generated when the heart contracts (pumps). It reflects the pressure of the blood against arterial walls.The bottom, smaller number is called the diastolic pressure. This reflects the pressure in the arteries while the heart is filling and resting between heartbeats.
Recommended guidelines to define normal and high blood pressure.
Normal blood pressure less than 120/80
Pre-hypertension 120-139/ 80-89
High blood pressure (stage 1) 140-159/90-99
High blood pressure (stage 2) higher than 160/100
As many as 60 million Nigerians have high blood pressure.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure may be responsible for many cases of death and disability resulting from heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. According to research studies, the risk of dying of a heart attack is directly linked to high blood pressure, particularly systolic hypertension. The higher your blood pressure, the higher the risk. Maintaining lifelong control of hypertension decreases the future risk of complications such as heart attack and stroke.
In our next post, we shall consider the causes, risk factors associated with high blood pressure, the early symptoms, treatment and medications, and most importantly, PREVENTION OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Failure is a priceless asset, nothing can buy it. It teaches you patience, discipline and brings you to a new dimension of humility. It raises your compassion for others. It's a sign that you've started moving to a realm of SUCCESS. THE end of every failure is SUCCESS.
DID YOU KNOW?
In one square inch of our hand we have nine feet of blood vessels, 600 pain sensors, 9000 nerve endings, 36 heat sensors and 75 pressure sensors.
We have copper, zinc, cobalt, calcium, manganese, phosphates, nickel and silicon in our bodies.
It is believed that the main purpose of eyebrows is to keep sweat out of the eyes.
A person can expect to breathe in about 45 pounds of dust over his/her lifetime.
PROVEN TIPS FOR STRESS RELIEF
Get up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.
Prepare for the morning the evening before. Set the breakfast table, make lunches, put out the clothes you plan to wear, etc.
Don't rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up the laundry, when library books are due, etc.
Make duplicates of all keys. Bury a house key in a secret spot in the garden and carry a duplicate car key in your wallet, apart from your key ring.
Have a wonderful weekend and please remember to do some exercises this morning.
Oluwatimilehin Oke
Email: healthertainment@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229
BB PIN: 563D9C56
BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18
Instagram & Twitter: @timi0301
Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301
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