High Blood Pressure can be a scary diagnosis. At one time when I in my early forties and with two young children and several health clubs, I noticed my blood pressure creeping up over 130/75. After researching what could be happening, the only factor that I was susceptible for was alcohol consumption. Even a small amount of alcohol like 1-2 servings per day for men and 1 serving a day for women, can cause high blood pressure. I knew that this was the cause of my pre-elevated blood pressure when I stopped consuming any alcohol and my blood pressure returned to normal. Keep in mind, I am not a typical female as I have a 25 year history of exercise and healthy eating. Still, alcohol had a major impact on my elevated blood pressure. Do you drink alcohol? If so, stop altogether for 30 days and see if your blood pressure drops, it may be the culprit.
The good news is that even the doctors I work with will agree with me when I say that diet and exercise are the most important tools for preventing and treating high blood pressure naturally and successfully. Since knowledge is the most important factors to change, lets get in more detail.
WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?High blood pressure is a common disease in which blood flows through blood vessels and arteries at higher than normal pressures.Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure happens when this force is too high. Scary, but true: Most people who have this condition display zero signs or high blood pressure symptoms, even when their blood pressure readings are at dangerously high levels.
When blood pressure is measured, there are two numbers that result, which measures two different pressures. The top number is systolic pressure, the blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. The second or bottom number is diastolic pressure, the blood pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
The new guidelines from the American Heart Association are as follows:
Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg;
Elevated: Systolic between 120–129 and diastolic less than 80;
Stage 1: Systolic between 130–139 or diastolic between 80–89;
Stage 2: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg;
Hypertensive crisis: Systolic over 180 and/or diastolic over 120, with patients needing prompt changes in medication if there are no other indications of problems, or immediate hospitalization if there are signs of organ damage
Some warning signs for very high blood pressure can include chest pains, confusion, headaches, ear noise or buzzing, irregular heartbeat, nosebleeds, tiredness or vision changes. These readings above are intended for normal adults over 18 years old. If you have diabetes, kidney disease or a short-term serious illness your readings will be interpreted differently. If you have diabetes (another very common problem) or chronic kidney disease then high blood pressure is defined as 130/80 or higher.
HOW DO YOU REVERSE IT?
Get with your doctor and ask them for a release to start exercise. If you don’t have a doctor, we can refer you to one. Hire a coach from America’s #1 health coach and begin PHASE 1 of our “reverse blood pressure” training program. Let’s get a fitness test scheduled and find out what your heart rate training zone should be. Make the decision to Manage Blood Pressure Naturally.