High blood pressure (HBP) or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries and veins. Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure.Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension", and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
In 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown. In fact, you can have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. That's why it's the “silent killer” — it creeps up on you. When the cause is unknown, you have what's called essential or primary hypertension.
Factors that may lead to high blood pressure in the remaining 5–10 percent of cases, which are known as secondary hypertension, include:
Kidney abnormality ,
A structural abnormality of the aorta (the large blood vessel leaving the heart) existing since birth
Narrowing of certain arteries
Prevention of High Blood Pressure
You can take steps to prevent high blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle. These steps include
1.Maintaining a healthy weight;
2.Being physically active;
3.Following a healthy eating plan, that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy foods
4.Choosing and preparing foods with less salt and sodium; and,
5.Avoiding beverages or drinking and smoking.
Precautionary measures for hypertension
It is important not to wait until you are diagnosed with increased blood pressure, but to take certain precautionary measures to stay on a safe side. It can be easily done by engaging in fitness programs, following healthy diets, keeping up with recommended nutrition supplements, and taking proper medication. In other words, you can do it by using precautionary measures for hypertension.
It is a well known fact that high blood pressure is regarded as hereditary. However, there is a lot you can do to keep the symptoms under control. The factors contributing to hypertension that you yourself can monitor on a daily basis include consumption of alcohol and nicotine, diet, weight management, and exercise. Food intake can be a number one factor to monitor with regard to blood pressure fluctuations. We all know that the type of food we eat is directly related to how we feel. The amount of cholesterol you intake is directly affecting your blood pressure levels.
Weight is another factor that is directly proportional to your blood pressure levels. In other words, the more you weigh, the more your pressure will fluctuate and the higher it will remain. It is recommended to keep a regular exercise program and eliminate certain foods from your diet.
Combining a diet with an exercise program is a great combination of precautionary measures for hypertension and an excellent way to keep healthy. Make it a point to exercise the minimum of 30 minutes a day, 3 or 4 times a week. Don't think that you have to go to the gym every time. You can do a lot of activities on a daily basis to increase your exercise levels.