Is Salt Killing You? What Does Salt Do To Your Blood Pressure Levels?

By Doctor Gordon Cameron

Too much salt is a major cause of blood pressure problems for many people. The high concentrations of sodium in many of the foods we eat today results in blood pressure readings that creep upwards - causing strokes and heart attacks.

Blood pressure is measured using a cuff and a manual or an electronic machine. If you take a reading before and then after a salty meal you'll be amazed and horrified at the different readings you get. The difference is even more marked after a period of keeping your diet low in salt levels.

The problem is aggravated for those who are highly sensitised to the presence of salt in food. This is called sodium sensitivity - and if you are unlucky enough to have it then your risk of heart attack or early death due to MI or stroke will be much higher than for other people your age.

How can you figure this out for yourself?

This is what to do if you want to check yourself out. Home machines to check blood pressure are available to by online or locally nowadays. Don't spend too much. A basic one will do the job just fine. Take a day or two to get to grips with it and start a book or chart of your readings. Once you get the hang of it then start this diet change for a week

The eating plan is not complicated. You want to cut salt out of your diet almost completely. Consume only fruit or fruit smoothies or yogurt for seven days. Nothing else. Drink water or tea or coffee. That should ensure almost zero salt. Check your BP readings - what happens?

Final stage. Sit down to a big meal with plenty salt in the food and then add a bit more for good measure. If your blood pressure rises quickly then you've just confirmed the issue. Try to avoid or dramatically reduce salt in future. - 31820

About the Author:

Is Active Young Adults Prone To High Blood Pressure

By Christian Goodman

This has been published in recent article on NPR. Many health experts suggest that children especially who are sports men are affected by heart disease.

Studies have shown that one in 100,000 young adults, ages 12 to 24, may die suddenly and unexpectedly from heart failure or disease. These deaths are attributed to undiagnosed congenital heart malfunctions as well as far more identifiable causes such as high blood pressure resulting in heart attack. Ironically, those who play sports are actually three times more likely to die from sudden cardiac failure than those who do not.

Why Active kids alone?

But most of the people think that children who are less active are at greater risk. According to Houston cardiologist, Thomas Debauche, the children who are not so active have less risk of death. When a young adult is on a track, or gym, etc he strains his heart more that results in the flowing of adrenalin. This is the main cause for heart failures in young age.

Even though the children who are less active has less risk for life, they should be active which is the healthiest way to avoid medical problems. The main reason for heart failure during sports is the person might have an abnormal heart structure and they do not have enough body language to participate.

This was the case for one family in Connecticut. Their oldest son was a star cross country runner and the son of a cardiologist. His blood pressure had been intermittently high, but no further tests were run because he was very active and lived a very healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, sleep, etc.) It was not until the high blood pressure began to affect his performance on the track and in the classroom that further tests were done, revealing a congenital heart defect (a coarctation of his aorta) that had gone undiagnosed for seventeen years. While the young man would have required the surgery he needed no matter when he had been diagnosed, he would have suffered for less time with weakness, fatigue, and chest pain if his higher blood pressures had been more closely examined.

Children do not know about their health whether they are normal or any problems are there. This is the right time for them to know about their personal information about their health. So it is the duty of the parents and physicians to check the health and heart conditions of the children to avoid certain deaths.

After screening 2,000 high school athletes with a routine EKG, cardiologist Dr. Debauche found that about 10% of those students had abnormal heart rhythms. Many of these students had to begin taking blood pressure medication and about 1% were advised to stop sports.

Symptoms that parents should watch out for

Children do not know exactly what is going on within them. So it is important to the parents not to ignore the child's fatigue, it may result in heart failure too. These are the symptoms for heart defect.

Always getting tired

Changes in vision

Headaches for log time

Huge amount of sweating

! Shortness of breath during routine activities

vomiting sensation

Some buzzing noise in ear

Some changes in heartbeat

! Chest pain

Confused

Bleeding in nose

The insidious thing about high blood pressure in children and athletes is that there many be no symptoms at all. It is for this reason that many doctors, even pediatricians, are recommending to get kids checked out.

The natural health care is a precaution if there are symptoms of high blood pressure in children. The natural and traditional health treatments and diets can be followed to have good health care.

The natural health controls can be a very opt way for children to have control over their health conditions

If you would like to know more about these exercises, check out our natural blood pressure program. This high blood pressure can be controlled by natural high blood pressure exercises that people can do to reduce blood pressure quickly and efficiently.

EL331014 - 31820

About the Author:

Blood Pressure Treatment - Five Great Expert Tips To Lower Blood Pressure Readings

By Doctor Gordon Cameron

Don't let blood pressure treatment defeat you. It's always a hard task to deal with the problem of living with high BP but it's a task you can handle if you work at it in a logical way. Good BP control means that you need to look at your medications, at your food intake and food choices - and also, of course at your stress levels.

There are several different approaches to controlling blood pressure more effectively.

Well, taking a look at the way you live your life is a good first point of call. Science shows that if we alter our lifestyle we can make big changes to our BP levels. It's not difficult to achieve.

Diet is very important. About a third of those with high blood pressure are very sensitive to salt intake. Even in those who are not overly sensitive too it, added salt will increase blood pressure levels by about ten points on the scale. If you are salt sensitive then the difference is about three times that. Many people who take blood pressure tablets every day would be able to stop or reduce them if they reduced their salt intake.

High fat or low fat? Is it all just hype. Well, sadly the answer is no - you really do need to work hard to reduce the amount of fat you consume each day. High fat causes high blood pressure. It's a pretty black and white case really. If you get your fat intake under better control then you'll get your BP readings under control too.

Body weight is vital. You can expect a rise of ten points on the BP scale for every ten pounds of weight gain - and the opposite too of course if you reduce your weight. Losing twenty pounds in weight could see you back into the normal BP range very quickly. Now, lets face it, losing weight is never easy - but coping with the side effects of blood pressure medication is not easy either and I guess it's all a choice when push comes to shove.

Lastly - you should seriously consider taking herbal supplements as an extra tool in the fight against high blood pressure levels. Hawthorn berry, garlic, daikon seeds and more have all be shown in research studies to reduce the blood pressure in an effective and helpful way.

Don't delay any longer please .... make the changes you need to improve your health .... and start today! - 31820

About the Author:

High Blood Pressure And Air Travel

By Christian Goodman

I was reading an online news article the other day about a certain well known director who was denied a seat on a plane because he was to big (according to the airline's restrictions) to take up only one seat and they were overbooked. He had to take another flight.

Even though he is not humiliated by the situation, he should have been embarrassed. He is very brilliant that he did not escalate the situation. He just took a pic of him in the next flight and posted it online.

Earlier, i have also posted many articles on air travel and vertigo. As I'm always fond of connecting health related issues, I started thinking about the issues that may affect a over weight person when he travels in air apart from self esteem.

What about high blood pressure? What ill health effects do people with high blood pressure, or hypertension, suffer and simply dismiss as side effects of travel?

If your blood pressure is controlled by medication, there is no conclusive proof that air travel affects the condition due to cabin air pressurization. The thing to consider is that air travel can be stressful, a known contributor to high blood pressure. Long wait lines, frequent delays and crowded flights, not to mention security concerns abound.

If you are unable to control your blood pressure with medicine or if you suffer serious side effects that many do, this is where the concern lies. Just like a person with asthma has to be prepared for an "event" when traveling, people at risk for heart attack or stroke have to consider that they won't be able to receive immediate care while flying.

Deep vein thrombosis or DVT (a clot which forms in the leg) can affect anyone who flies but those with high blood pressure are at a higher risk. In addition to being painful, if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, a pulmonary embolism can happen, making it a potentially fatal condition.

Swollen feet and ankles is one side effect that everyone, especially those fly long distances suffer. This is not generally a concern but can be exacerbated by those with high blood pressure. The blood pools in the legs due to not moving for extended periods of time.

You can walk around the cabin every 1 hour, stretching your calf, having plenty of water and minimizing the intake of alcohol. These things will facilitate free movement of blood.

If you are on medication for blood pressure then you should make sure that it should last for the whole trip. You should also remember that these days flight delays and cancellations are very common.

It is also advised that you should also meet your physician and discuss about any problems you might face. You need not afraid of doing all these things as there are only very limited individuals who were not cleared to fly. You should speak to airline heads if you are in need of oxygen.

I also highly recommend my all natural High Blood Pressure program. I guarantee its success. I hope it can help you as it's help so many thousands of my clients!

EL331014 - 31820

About the Author:

Know About The Causes And Symptoms Of Hypertension

By Steven K. Conlan

Increase in blood pressure levels happen when the heart pumps blood into the body at abnormal rates causing strain on the artery walls. If the blood pressure level surpasses the 140 / 90 mg mark, it is clinically called hypertension. There are many medical and non medical factors which can induce this condition.

In medical issues, raised blood pressure is usually due to kidney issues. Sicknesses like glomerulonephritis, renal artery stenosis, persistent pyelonephritis, methodical sclerosis and diabetic neuropathy- which historically effect the kidney- may also cause high blood pressure. Endocrine diseases such as phaeochromocytoma, Conn's syndrome, acromegaly and Cushing's syndrome may also be in charge of inducing increased blood pressure. Hypertension may also be a bi-product of cardiovascular diseases such as coarctation.

Certain medications may also lead to elevated blood pressure including mineralocorticoids, sympathomimetic agents, glucocorticoids, tyramine, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Coming to non medical factors, an insufficient diet could be the reason behind high blood pressure. Diets with a high sodium to potassium proportion are usually responsible for high blood pressure. Excessive intake of carbohydrates and fats is also be responsible for for the problem. If you are consuming metals like lead and cadmium in high quantities then too you could be suffering from elevated blood pressure.

Extreme levels of stress may also be the cause of high blood pressure. Folk who smoke are also at a higher risk of hypertension. Nicotine attributes to hypertension by triggering the adrenaline glands. Alcohol and OTT exercise can also be a cause of high blood pressure.

Symptoms of hypertension There are a few symptoms that may indicate a rise in the blood pressure. Nose bleeds without any clear reason might be one of them. If you suffer from nose bleeds on a consistent basis, you may be suffering from hyper stress.

If you experience frequent ringing of the ears or tinnitus, it could also indicate hypertension. It is critical to get a blood pressure check done in such cases.

Change in vision is another alarm that suggests presence of elevated blood pressure. Also, hypertension is frequently accompanied by headaches. A stress headache indicates the need to get your blood pressure checked.

Other signs of high blood pressure include throbbing and giddiness. Nervousness- a common symptom of hypertension might also cause raised blood pressure. Other signs include breathing problems, bloody pissing and chest pain.

therefore, if you notice, any of these evidence of blood pressure or hypertension, you must immediately get in contact with your health practitioner for appropriate treatment. The right treatment within a convincing period of time may seriously lower chances of further aggravation of the condition. - 31820

About the Author:

Figuring Out Blood Pressure Charts

By Davis Whayne

Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood circulation on the vein walls and BP is one of the four major urgent signs. Per heartbeat, blood pressure differs between the maximum ( called systolic ) and the minimum ( named diastolic ) pressures.Due to the pumping of the heart and the resistance of the blood vessels, the blood pressure decreases while the circulating blood was moving away of the heart all the way thru the arteries. It decreases greatly with the smaller arteries and the arterioles, continuing to decrease while the blood was moving throughout the capillaries back to heart all the way through the veins.

The BP is referred to the pressure being measured from someone through the higher arm. It is commonly measured from the bronchial artery that's the major vein which is carrying blood away of the heart. The BP is commonly recounted by the systolic and diastolic pressures like 110/70. The arterial pressure is usually measured trough a spectrophotometer that in history uses the height of the mercury reflecting to the circulating pressures. These days, blood pressure assessments are still detailed in mercury millimeters ( mmHg ) although the aneroid and electronic meters company not uses mercury.

BP varies among systolic and diastolic pressure for every beat of the heart. Systolic is at the top pressure of the arteries that occurs during the near end of a cardiac cycle in which the ventricles are in contraction. The diastolic pressure characterizes the minimum pressures on the arteries that occur in the beginning of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles were full of blood. The average standard blood pressure of sound adult is 120/80mmHg that spoken as one-twenty over 80.

Raised blood pressure is the term used if the arterial pressure is abnormally high and the hypo tension makes reference to the pressure that is strangely low. BP side by side with breathing rate, body temperature, and heart beat rate assessments are the major measurements in the physical parameters. Arterial pressure measurements were non-invasive ; it was measured without the skin or arterial penetration. The pressure measure invasive is through the penetration of the arterial walls in in a position to take a measurement. This technique is less common and it is usually done at the surgery settings.

Hypo tension - it refers to a blood pressure that goes from less done ninety in systolic and less done sixty in diastolic. Ordinary - blood pressure levels which goes from 90 to 119 systolic and sixty to 79 diastolic.Hypertension - refers back to the BP which are ranging from 120 to 139 in systolic and eighty to 89 in diastolic. Stage one high blood pressure - blood pressure ranges from 140 to 159 in systolic and ninety to ninety nine in diastolic. Stage 2 high blood pressure - is a BP that ranges from 160 and above in systolic or 100 and above in diastolic.

There are several factors that could influence the variations and the average BP of a person. Factors concerning the age along with the sex can influence the average values. For kids, ordinary ranges were lower compared to the adults and the height also varies. Once the adult ages, systolic pressures will have a tendency to rise and the diastolic pressures tends to fall down. While in the elderly, the blood pressure tends to rise at the above standard range of an adult, typically because of the reducing adaptability with the arteries. - 31820

About the Author:

Wonderful Methods To Reduce Your High Blood Pressure

By Ray Bonanza

Blood pressure is the force produced by your heart that pushes blood through the arteries and capillaries. It is the result of two forces. The first pressure is really a result of the blood pumping out of your heart and the second pressure is the heart at rest, between heart beats. The two pressures are represented by numbers called a blood pressure reading. It's written with two numbers as a ratio for example 117 over 76. The top or larger number is the systolic number. That number represents the arterial pressure when your heart beats. The bottom or smaller number is the diastolic number. That number represents the arterial pressure if the heart muscle is resting between beats and filling with blood. A normal pressure is less than 180 over 20. High blood pressure is a systolic reading among 140 and 159 and a diastolic reading among 90 and 99.

A single high reading does not necessarily mean you have high blood pressure but if it is elevated consistently, you doctor will need you to start a remedy program. High blood pressure increases the likely hood of damage for your blood vessels resulting in heart attack and heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke in case not addressed and treated.

When diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will ask you to make some approach of life modifications. Several of those changes might include the following:

Restrict your intake of sodium. Not everyone is affected by sodium nonetheless it can trigger high blood pressure. Don't add salt to your food and examine food labels for sodium content. Additionally be aware that a few medications contain sodium. A healthy American with typical pressure ought to limit their intake to 2,300 mg per day. African Americans and older Americans with high pressure should restrict their sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day.

Alcohol and caffeine can certainly increase the risk of high blood pressure quite a bit. Should you drink alcohol limit it to no a lot more than 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. 1 drink is really a can certainly of beer, a glass of wine or 1 jigger (shot) of liquor. If you drink coffee, restrict your intake to 2 cups per day. High test coffee is permissible but decaffeinated coffee is best. The chemicals in alcohol are thought to trigger arteries to tighten and close, making it harder for the heart to pump blood correctly.

Get rid of smoking cigarettes. The Nicotine in the cigarettes and in other tobacco items are responsible for causing your blood vessels to constrict and your heart to beat faster, which temporarily raises your pressure. Chain smoking will cause your blood pressure to always be elevated.

Lose weigh if you're overweight. Being overweight increases the amount of blood in your body and causes your heart to work harder to pump it. Your heart muscles thicken under the strain and it becomes even harder for your heart to pump blood. The additional effort it takes your heart to pump will increase your chances of developing high blood pressure.

Eat a wholesome low fat diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains and low excess fat dairy items. Eating lots of saturated fats, trans fat and cholesterol laden foods may trigger plaque buildup in your arteries and cause high pressure.

In addition to these lifestyle changes, your doctor might want to put you on medication as nicely. A combination of modifications and medication will the majority of definitely lower your pressure with the goal getting able to manage your high blood pressure and live a healthier life. - 31820

About the Author:

Quit Smoking and Your Health Will Be Improved in 20 Minutes

By Martin Elmer

If you smoke your last cigarette now, your health will already have improved tomorrow. In fact the healing process will start after a few minutes. 20 minutes is all it takes, before the healing process starts.

Your blood pressure decreases and your pulse rate drops 20 minutes after your last cigarette. The body temperature of hands and feet will also increase. The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to a normal level after 8 hours and the oxygen level in blood increases to normal.

Tomorrow at the same time, your risk of a heart attack is decreased. And the day after tomorrow your nerve endings will begin to growth again. Your will also have improved your ability to taste and smell. On day later your breathing will be easier.

The following weeks and month your will improve your circulation. Walking will be easier and your lung function will increase. The nicotine withdrawal symptom will subside after the first month, so you will be able to focus on the psychological need for a cigarette.

On year after you stopped smoking, your risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half. And smoking is directly linked to 30 % of all heart disease deaths in the United States each year, so this is a very important step.

Some of the most important improvements are the long-term benefits. 5 years from now the risk of a stroke has been reduced to the same level as non-smokers. And 5 years later the risk of lung cancer has dropped to one-half that of the smokers. Other types of cancer like throat, mouth, esophagus, kidney, bladder, and pancreas will also have a lower risk.

The risk of coronary heart disease will be the same of people who have never smoked after 15 years. And in many other ways will the risk of death be at nearly the same level of people who have never smoked.

So if you stop smoking today, your will be rewarded with an improved health. But it is also important to remember that healing from nicotine addiction is an ongoing process. While some improvements happen quickly, others will come more gradually. - 31820

About the Author:

Can Surgery Cure High Blood Pressure?

By Christian Goodman

High blood pressure is called silent killer because it cannot be cured. It has spread out that that the only way to maintain normal pressure is by taking high blood pressure medicines.

It is found recently by British scientists that a simple small surgery can cure hypertension. The surgery is said to be simple in nature.

This surgery will reduce very much the risk of getting heart attack for persons on whom the traditional heart disease medicine do not work. This name of this surgery is renal sympathetic-nerve ablation and it involves burning points in the nerves responsible for hypertension.

Mel Lobo, a physician in Britain's National Health Services is very much excited about this surgery. He says that it is a very important step to cure hypertension after the invention of hypertension medications some 50 years back.

This surgery was done by Dr. Martin Rothman, he is a cardiologist and person who supports this surgery whole heatedly. The surgery was first done on a person who is 68 years old with complications of diabetes and high blood pressure.

Carried out at the London Chest Hospital, the surgery is so simple the patients can go home the same day. It is estimated that patients see a remarkable drop in blood pressure levels within a period of three months at the maximum. This first patient started to show results in about two weeks.

It is however essential that hypertension patients should continue to make efforts toward managing their diet and exercise regime to ensure that blood pressure does not become a problem again.

But always the natural treatment is the best as it is free of side effects and it will also increase the total health of the body. Taking large amount of salt in food is not only bad for hypertension people, it is also bad normal healthy adults.

The best way to maintain your blood pressure readings is by adopting to a natural way of living. This is very much important for people with borderline numbers. If high blood pressure runs in your family then it is very important for you to get checked regularly.

EL331014 - 31820

About the Author:

Go Natural: High Blood Pressure Natural Remedies

By Julie Wilkinson

High blood pressure is a silent disease due to the absence of symptoms. However, if there are indeed early symptoms such as dizziness or headache, you may not think it is already a high blood pressure. This is why lot of people who has high blood pressure or hypertension may not be aware of their condition. Visit your doctor and have your blood pressure checked regularly to prevent future health problems.

There are lots of factors that affect one's blood pressure; unhealthy lifestyle is one. The lack of physical activities, being over weight, smoking, stress, and excessive alcohol consumption are just some of the notable causes of high blood pressure.

Even though there are available prescription drugs for high blood pressure, many are still looking for natural remedies. Study shows that some high blood pressure natural remedies can be as effective as and more affordable than prescription drugs. And because they are natural, they do not contain harmful contents that most prescription drugs.

To begin with naturally treating your high blood pressure, you want to start changing your lifestyle first. If you are overweight or obese, you are susceptible to many health related problems, and hypertension is one. Try losing weight by regular exercise and/or increasing physical activities. You may also want to watch your diet. Avoid too much sodium and potassium intake. Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption. Avoid getting stressed out. Always find time to relax and unwind from your busy life. If you switch to a healthier lifestyle, you will not only reduce your blood pressure level, but also you are preventing yourself from getting other health related problems.

If your doctor found out that you are hypertensive, he or she would definitely suggest you to change your lifestyle that is if you have an unhealthy one. Aside from a change of lifestyle, your health practitioner may also prescribe you take some medications. However, certain drugs may side effects. This is why a lot of who suffer from hypertension are looking for alternative solution, which is high blood pressure natural remedies.

There are several recommended high blood pressure natural remedies. One of them is taking Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplement. A study shows that taking CoQ10 supplement may help control high blood pressure. Other known high blood pressure natural remedies include garlic, hawthorn, folic acid, and fish oil.

Another study shows that garlic supplement can be used to lower blood pressure. However, since garlic can thin the blood, which has similar effect to aspirin, garlic supplements should be closely administered by a doctor as it may interact with other prescription drugs or supplements.

Hawthorn has long been known to treat hypertension. Many traditional herbal practitioners used hawthorn to treat mild high blood pressure.

Fish oil contains DHA (docohexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). But, only its DHA content is what helps lower high blood pressure.

Hypertension must be treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated, it may damage other organs in your body and increase the risk of heart failure. Regular visit to your doctor and proper treatments help prevent future health problems. - 31820

About the Author:

Discover Xtend Life Cholest-Natural to Reduce Cholesterol Naturally

By Xylene Belita

You will no doubt know about all the controversy around the use of medications to lower cholesterol. There is much talk about if the side effects are worth the risk of taking it. Of course, if you have high cholesterol you will want to discuss your situation with your doctor. You may also consider checking out a natural cholesterol supplement like Xtend Life Cholest-Natural.

But if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol you might want to try a natural supplement like Xtend Life Cholest-Natural before going on any prescription medication. There are many side effects to prescription medication but you might have to take them anyway due to your health. This again is between you and your doctor.

Ask him if your situation is due to your heredity or your diet. You might be prone to high cholesterol because of your genes but this does not mean that you have to be condemned to a life of high cholesterol. You have to take control of your health. This means taking control of your diet.

Limit the excess saturated fats from what you eat. You should exercise on a regular basis. And you can try, with your doctor's approval a product like Xtend Life Cholest-Natural. This product says it will reduce the production of cholesterol in your body.

Just think if you can get your body to produce less cholesterol then you are on the way to reducing it in your system. It is also supposed to lower the blood fats in your blood stream. Xtend Life Cholest-Natural also claims it will dissolve cholesterol particles that are already in your blood system.

It would seem that if you can take a product that does this then the cholesterol will not build up plaque levels which leads to blockage. Take a look at Xtend Life Cholest-Natural and discuss it with your doctor. This might be your answer to lowering your cholesterol level without having to take prescription medication. - 31820

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here