You can have high blood pressure, or hypertension, and still feel just fine. That’s because high blood pressure often does not cause signs of illness that you can see or feel. But, high blood pressure, sometimes called “the silent killer,” is very common in older people and a major health problem. If high blood pressure isn’t controlled with lifestyle changes and medicine, it can lead to stroke, heart disease, eye problems, kidney failure, and other health problems. High blood pressure can also cause shortness of breath during light physical activity or exercise. You may now be wondering, what can I do to lower my blood pressure? There are many methods that can lower your blood pressure from prescribed drugs to looking at solutions from home. It hasn’t yet been approved by the State but lots of people have seen their blood pressure reduce from searching up on how to make your own kratom capsules from home. Your GP/ Doctor would be the best person to consult before attempting to reduce your blood pressure from home.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries. When the doctor measures your blood pressure, the results are given in two numbers. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, is the pressure caused by your heart contracting and pushing out blood. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure when your heart relaxes and fills with blood. Your blood pressure reading is usually given as the systolic blood pressure number over the diastolic blood pressure number, such as 138/72. Normal blood pressure for adults is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80. This is stated as 120/80.
One reason to visit your doctor regularly is to have your blood pressure checked. Routine checks of your blood pressure will help pick up an early rise in blood pressure, even though you might feel fine.
Recent updates to guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology changed the definition of high blood pressure or hypertension for most people. High blood pressure is now generally defined as 130 or higher for the first number, or 80 or higher for the second number
However, there are important considerations for older adults in deciding whether to start treatment for high blood pressure, including other health conditions and overall fitness. If your blood pressure is above 130/80, your doctor will evaluate your health to determine what treatment is needed to balance risks and benefits in your particular situation.
For older people, often the first number (systolic) is 130 or higher, but the second number (diastolic) is less than 80. This problem is called isolated systolic hypertension, which is due to age-related stiffening of the major arteries. It is the most common form of high blood pressure in older people and can lead to serious health problems .
If your blood pressure is lower than 90/60, you have low blood pressure, or hypotension. You may feel lightheaded, weak, dizzy, or even faint. Low blood pressure can be caused by not drinking enough liquids (dehydration), blood loss, some medical conditions, or too much medication.
There are many lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of high blood pressure:
Keep a healthy weight. Being overweight adds to your risk of high blood pressure. Ask your doctor if you need to lose weight.
Manage stress. This is a big one. Relaxing and coping with problems can help lower high blood pressure. One solution to combating stress that everyone seems to be talking about is CBD oil. Research has also shown that cbd blood pressure have a correlation, so if you do have a high blood pressure, CBD might help you. It’s thought that the stress and anxiety reducing properties of CBD can consequently lower blood pressure. If natural remedies like this interest you, take a look at CBD oil UK for more information.
Exercise every day. Moderate exercise can lower your risk of high blood pressure.
Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products may help to lower blood pressure.
Cut down on salt. As you get older, the body and blood pressure become more sensitive to salt (sodium), so you may need to watch how much salt is in your diet.
Drink less alcohol. Drinking alcohol can affect your blood pressure.
Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
Get a good night’s sleep. Tell your doctor if you’ve been told you snore or sound like you stop breathing for moments when you sleep.
For More Information About High Blood Pressure
American Heart Association
1-800-242-8721 (toll-free)
[email protected]
www.heart.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
1-301-592-8573
[email protected]
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
MedlinePlus
National Library of Medicine
www.medlineplus.gov
Smokefree60+
www.60plus.smokefree.gov
National Cancer Institute
1-877-448-7848
(1-877-44U-QUIT/toll-free)
[email protected]
