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DID YOU KNOW?
Over the course of your life your heart will beat more than 2.5 billion times.
The dangerous thing about most heart conditions, such as high blood pressure, is that there are often no symptoms that indicate a problem. The only way to know if you are at risk for hypertension or heart disease is to see a doctor once a year for a checkup and a blood pressure reading.
Getting a blood pressure reading is imperative in diagnosing high or low blood pressure. If you haven't had a blood pressure reading before the procedure is painless, non-invasive, and easy.
Basically, the nurse on hand will wrap a cuff around your arm, inflate it and then deflate it, while listening to your heartbeat. The nurse is looking to determine the force of your blood circulating through your blood vessels.
There are two numbers in a blood pressure reading and these numbers indicate the force of the blood upon entry and exit from your heart. These numbers are termed systolic and diastolic.
When the nurse or doctor writes the down your blood pressure reading it will be in the form of a fraction. The systolic number will be on top while the diastolic number will be on the bottom.
What Is A Normal Blood Pressure Reading?
A normal blood pressure reading is below 120/80. There is a condition that is called "pre-hypertensive" and it has readings that range from 120/80 up to 139/89. Stage one hypertension will have a blood pressure reading of 140/90 up to 159/99. Stage two hypertension will show a reading over 160/100.
If you have any confusion or concerns about your blood pressure reading be sure to ask your doctor.
How To Maintain A Normal Blood Pressure Reading
There are many ways to maintain a normal blood pressure reading, but most importantly you need to get regular exercise (30 min. - 1hr a day). Regular exercise will help keep you fit and will give your heart the cardio workout that it needs.
Exercising regularly also maintains the flow of your circulatory system thus eliminating any artery clogging or build up that can cause heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. To maintain a normal blood pressure reading you also want to eat a diet of organic food (mostly fruit, vegetables and nuts).
Also you need to minimize the amount of processed food that you eat.
Not only is processed food fattening and addictive it is also made with chemicals (read the ingredients) that are foreign to the human body. These chemicals leave you at high risk for things like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Stop Smoking And Lower Your Stress
Smoking can also contribute to a high blood pressure reading, so stop. If you need help quitting, click the following link "Easy Way To Stop Smoking."
Stress is also a big contributor to high blood pressure, and most medical conditions for that matter, so you need to learn how to lower the amount of stress in your life if you want to be healthy.
Take up yoga or tai chi, exercise regularly, learn to meditate, eat right, and you will conquer stress. This is very important as to lower your susceptibility to hypertension; you must learn to handle stress properly.
At Diet Health and Fitness we want you to understand that if you haven't had a blood pressure reading taken in the last two years you need to get to the doctor. Remember that most heart conditions show no symptoms so the only way to stay on top of your heart health is to eat right, exercise, and see a doctor once a year for a checkup.
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