Hypertension Can Be A Matter of Life and Death

Do you suffer from hypertension? According to statistics, more than 30 million people in the United States alone suffer from hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure.

It ranks as the third most chronic condition, preceded only by sinus and arthritis. More importantly, these sufferers stand a significant chance of developing some type of heart disease as their age increases.

For those with a mild condition, the emphasis is on drug-free treatments that focus on improving overall health. Recommendations for those suffering from mild hypertension include maintaining a healthy weight. Obese people stand a higher chance of developing this disease than their leaner counterparts. If you are 20% over your ideal weight, even losing a small amount of weight can help.

Another recommendation is to reduce the amount of salt in the diet. A high intake of sodium and hypertension seem to go hand in hand, although it has never been scientifically proven. But you should be sure you get enough potassium, which is found in high levels in foods such as fresh fruit, fish and potatoes.

On the other hand, the link between high blood pressure and alcohol has been proven beyond a doubt. The best advice would be to avoid all alcohol consumption, but even cutting back to one or two drinks a day will probably have a positive effect.

Exercise plays a vital role in overall health, and its effect on reducing hypertension symptoms are documented. Aerobic exercise such as walking opens up the blood vessels, which in turn lowers blood pressure.

Be sure to consult a doctor before you begin any exercise program. Isometric exercises such as weight lifting should not be undertaken because weight-lifting exercises tend to cause blood pressure to skyrocket.

A change in eating habits may be beneficial in decreasing blood pressure. As shown in some studies, people who eliminate meat from their diet seem to have lower blood pressure than their meat-eating counterparts, but the reason for this is not known. It is suspected that vegetarians tend to eat in moderation and avoid smoking and drinking.

If left untreated, this condition will only get worse as time goes by. Blood pressure will rise slowly and steadily throughout the years until it resembles a pressure cooker. This could eventually lead to cardiovascular disease and/or death.

A deadly type of hypertension is the kind that comes on suddenly with rapidly rising blood pressure that can last for hours or even days. This condition could be diagnosed as malignant hypertension and requires immediate attention by a doctor. If untreated, malignant hypertension can cause damage to blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys and brain, and can be fatal within months.

It is important to make sure you do not develop hypertension and that it does not escalate to a dangerous level. A doctor or nurse can check your blood pressure. Another, very easy, painless simple way to monitor your own blood pressure is to invest in a blood pressure monitor. Reading your blood pressure at home and keeping accurate records can be beneficial in determining what activities, situations or foods can cause your blood pressure to rise.

A home blood pressure monitor can do more than just track your blood pressure. It may make you aware of how medicines, diet and exercise affect your blood pressure, and may help you overcome the condition known as "white coat reaction."

That is, every time some people walk into a doctor's office they experience a dramatic "spike" in their blood pressure. Needless to say, a home blood pressure monitor is a sensible way to monitor your condition and perhaps prevent hypertension from developing.