Blood Pressure Guidelines - The Dos and The Don'ts

Blood pressure guidelines, if followed properly, can help immensely in maintaining normal blood pressure, keeping hypertension and its associated complications in check. Hypertension is distinguished by a marked rise in blood pressure, consistently over a long period of time. Hypertension can be differentiated into primary and secondary types, on the basis of duration and cause of the condition.

Primary hypertension persists over a longer period; it has no specific cause, but is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Secondary hypertension is caused by mental stress and depression. In secondary hypertension, the blood pressure returns to normal as soon as the stress and depression are alleviated.

Hypertension is only detected after the associated symptoms appear, usually after extensive damage has been done to the body. So, effectively stopping the appearance of symptoms is akin to controlling hypertension, which needs to be the primary goal.

The symptoms of hypertension are extensive, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, convulsions, confusion, breathing difficulties, abdominal pain, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat. Monitoring blood pressure is the most effective way of stopping the symptoms from appearing and controlling these conditions.

For controlling hypertension, your diet needs to undergo certain necessary changes. Foods having excess fat and cholesterol can cause a lot of health complications, and their consumption needs to be minimized. Healthy foods, including fresh fruits, should be consumed instead, in the form of juices and servings. Seven to nine servings of fruits should be eaten every day. Not more than 6 ounces of protein is recommended for daily consumption. Potassium containing foods should be substituted for sodium containing foods, as sodium is a known hypertensive agent. Caffeinated drinks, cigarettes, and alcohol should be abstained from, as they not only contribute to hypertension, but are harmful to vital organs. Over the counter drugs, which can add to hypertension, should be taken only on the recommendation of a physician. Use of prostaglandins and other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), which increase the blood pressure, should be minimized as much as possible.

Overweight and obese people are more prone to hypertension. Reducing body weight is, therefore, an effective way of keeping blood pressure under control. Thirty minutes of vigorous exercise at least three times a week not only helps in losing weight, but also improves blood circulation, thus helping reducing hypertension.

To avoid the side-effects of anti-hypertensive drugs, home remedies can be used for keeping blood pressure under control. The use of garlic, green tea, oatmeal, dry beans and other herbs can help in controlling blood pressure, to a large extent. These suggestions are easy to follow, and come with a number of health benefits.

The application of blood pressure guidelines will make a difference between a person being comatose in a hospital bed, or being out in the wilderness, exploring new terrains and territories.

By Betty D Dawson

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