hy·per·ten·sion
ˌhīpərˈtenSHən/
noun
- abnormally high blood pressure.
- a state of great psychological stress.
High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough to potentially cause health problems. You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms, but not being symptomatic is no protection against the potential damage and out of control high blood pressure gives you an increased risk of escalating health problems, including heart attack and stroke.
Blood Pressure Numbers, Translated
Blood pressure is represented in top number over bottom- (top number/bottom number) or (Systolic/Diastolic) measured as systolic (sis-TOL-ik) and diastolic (di-ah-STOL-ik) pressures. "Systolic" refers to pressure of the blood when the heart beats while pumping blood. "Diastolic" refers to blood pressure measure when the heart is at rest between beats.
The table that follows demonstrates blood pressure number ranges, for healthy adults, demonstrating where numbers put you at greater risk for health problems. If you suspect hypertension, it is important to consult a doctor to interpret results, and as there are many factors.
Diabetics or chronic kidney disease in adults, is defined differently and considered high at 130/80 or higher.
Interpreting high blood pressure number ranges are different for adults then children and teens.
| Range | (top number)Systolic | (bottom number)Diastolic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 120 | And | Less than 80 |
| Prehypertension | 120–139 | Or | 80–89 |
| High Blood Pressure | 140 - 160 or greater | Or | 90 - 100 or greater |
| Stage 1 | 140–159 | Or | 90–99 |
| Stage 2 | 160 or greater | Or | 100 or greater |
High Blood Pressure Hypertensive Crisis: Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis that may be life-threatening may include the following, as documented in traditional medical refererences. I also found in early stages nosebleeds and seeing "stars" when standing, and at hypertensive crisis, lower back pain too:
- Severe chest pain
- Severe headache, accompanied by confusion and blurred vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nosebleeds
- Severe anxiety
- Shortness of breath
- Seizures
- Unresponsiveness
Lifestyle changes are as important if not more important than medication: Reduce stress, increase activity, eat well, dont smoke or be around smoke, limit alcohol consumption.,
Prehypertension moderation: Strategies to help you manage prehypertension and hypertension.
Prehypertension moderation: Strategies to help you manage prehypertension and hypertension.
- Exercise regularly. Lose weight if you are overweight. Exercise at least 2 hours and 30 minutes a week. BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and low-fat dairy.Studies show high blood pressure can be lowered and prevented with the DASH diet which encourages a diet reduces sodium and eats a variety of foots rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium, protein and fiber, whose nutrients help lower blood pressure. Here is a very nice DASH DIET EATING PLANNER/Tracker
- Foods particularly helpful: Oatmeal, Bananas, Garlic, Flaxseed, Potatoes, Apricots, Pumpkin Seeds, Broccoli, Cashew Nuts, Oily Fish such as Salmon and Sardines, Yogurt, Lima Beans, Spinach,
- Cut back on dietary salt/sodium. A diet high in sodium (salt) can increase blood pressure. A low-sodium diet can lower high blood pressure -- or prevent it. Aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily (about 1 teaspoon of table salt). This seems simple until you realize its not how much salt you shake ON your food but how much sodium already dominates simple things we use every day without a second thought like ketchup, processed foods, juices, meats, spices, sodas, bread, cheese slices, lunch meat, mustard, chips, etc
- Eat foods low in saturated and transfat and cholesterol. Diets high in saturated fat (meats and high-fat dairy), trans fat (some margarine, snack foods, and pastries) and cholesterol (organ meats, high-fat dairy, and egg yolks) may lead to obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
- Eat a plant-based or vegetarian diet. Add high-protein soy foods to your diet. Increase servings of fruits and vegetables by adding one serving at a time. You can add a serving of fruit at lunchtime. Then add a serving of vegetables at dinner.
- Drinking? Got Milk? Alcohol only in moderation, Caffeine sensitive?? Drink lowfat or nonfat milk. Drink hibiscus tea. Drink Cranberry Juice, Apple Juice, and Dark Cocoa. Drinking red wine can help, but watch intake as excess alcohol can increase blood pressure. Limit drinking to no more than two drinks a day for men, and one drink a day for women. Caffeine can create a short spike in blood pressure. To see if you have a sensitivity to caffeine, check your blood pressure before drinking caffeine and then 30-60 minutes after drinking a caffeinated drink or energy drink, and if your blood pressure is increased from 5-10 points, you should cut back on caffeine.
Alternative Treatments for Hypertension:
- Herbs to use in cooking: Basil, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Garlic, Hawthorne, Celery Seed, Lavender, Cat's Claw
- Essential Oils to use Lavender Essential Oil, Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil, Ylang Ylang Essential oils for hypertension. Chamomile Essential Oil, Bergamont Oil, Neroli Essential Oil, or Frankincense Essential Oils by massage or steam inhalation.
- Ayurveda Treatments Ashwaghanda, Triphala, Jatamansi, Arjuna
- Vitamins and Supplements: WebMD evaluates the effectiveness of supplements (Link)
Hypertension Meditation for Deep Relaxation:
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