High blood pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) indicates medical problems can lead to strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure and other health problems. The good news is that you can control it and it is very simple to do so.
What is High blood pressure ?
To make blood flow from the heart to the blood vessels, a pump (i.e. the heart) is required. The blood does not flow freely through the blood vessels because of friction, and this causes some pressure to build up. If the vessels are narrower than normal, for any of a list of reasons, the blood pressure can become higher than normal. When you do have a higher than normal blood pressure, it means that you arteries are already narrower.
If the blood vessels that supply the brain become narrower, the blood flow becomes restricted and therefore the oxygen supply to the brain decreases. This can lead to a stroke.
If the blood vessels that supply the heart become narrower, the blood flow becomes restricted and therefore the oxygen supply to the heart muscles decreases. This can lead to a heart attack.
What is your blood pressure reading supposed to be?
| Normal | less than 130/85 |
| High normal | 130/85 to 140/90 |
| Hypertension (mild) | 140/90 to 160/100 |
| Hypertension (moderate) | 160/100 to 180/110 |
| Hypertension (severe) | 180/110 to 210/110 |
| Hypertension (very high) | higher than 210/110 |
How can high blood pressure be controlled?
- Keep you weight moderate
- Do not use excessive salt in and on your food
- also avoid overly salted foods like processed products, i.e. pickled, smoked and salted foods.
- Eat low fat meals
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Eat small regular meals.
- Increase you intake of Omega3 fatty acids.
- Exercise regularly
- Do not drink more than 1 or 2 servings of alcohol per day
