Your blood pressure numbers can tell your doctor a lot about your overall health, particularly when it comes to your heart and cardiovascular system. An average blood pressure will indicate that your cardiovascular system is functioning properly and that your many blood vessels throughout your body are strong and healthy. A higher than average blood pressure number can be a sign that your blood vessels are experiencing some strain and even some damage as a result of the blood moving through them. High blood pressure can put you at higher risk for problems later in life, like a greater likelihood of a heart attack, stroke or heart and kidney disease. Because of this, it is very important for you to be aware of what an average blood pressure is so that you can alert your doctor to any deviations from the norm that could indicate a potential problem.

What is an Average Blood Pressure?

Your blood pressure is measured by two different numbers. The top number, known as the systolic pressure, measures the pressure of the blood in the vessels when the heart is beating. The bottom number, or the diastolic pressure, evaluates the pressure of the blood when the heart is at rest. An average systolic blood pressure is usually around 120.  Anything that is over 130 is considered borderline high, and 140 or more is high. The average diastolic blood pressure is 80, and anything above 90 is considered high. These two numbers will most likely correlate to one another, meaning that if the systolic pressure goes up, the diastolic pressure will rise as well. However, there are some instances where this is not the case, and the systolic will rise alone. This situation is most often seen in elderly patients, and is a result of blood vessels becoming stiff in the aging process.

If you have an average blood pressure that is close to 120/80 at your doctor’s office, chances are that you will only need to have your blood pressure evaluated once or twice a year. However, if that average blood pressure number should rise, your doctor will probably want you to have more frequent blood pressure monitoring done, both at the office and from your own home. There are a number of home monitors that you can choose from for this purpose. If your average blood pressure continues to run on the high side, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or medication to keep those numbers in check. There are also a number of things that you can do to help ensure that your average blood pressure numbers stay within the normal range, including a healthy diet, daily exercise and kicking habits like smoking.

Your average blood pressure can indicate much about your overall health. That is why it is so important to have regular blood pressure readings taken and to talk to your doctor if you see those numbers go on the rise.

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Tip! Don’t use pulse rate as a direct measure of exercise intensity if blood pressure medications are being used, as these can decrease pulse rate significantly.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition and is often dubbed the “silent killer” because it can do so much damage to your body before you even know you have it.
High blood pressure can cause heart failure, stroke and even death in the most serious cases. And, did you know that some of the medications your doctor may prescribe could do almost as much damage as the high blood pressure itself? Such medications can have rather serious side effects including dizziness, nausea, stomach problems, loss of appetite, fatigue, impotence and insomnia.

Herbs for Hypertension

There are a number of scientific studies that indicate that a natural approach or treatment for your high blood pressure could be an effective alternative. There are many different herbs that are used to treat hypertension, including the following:

Hawthorn, also known as Crataegus Oxyacantha, is a well-known heart tonic and is one of the best safe herbal supplements to help treat hypertension. By dilating the blood vessels Hawthorn can provide your heart with the level of energy it needs to pump your blood. Hawthorn is full of anti-oxidants, which can keep plaque from building up on the arterial walls and reduce the risk of a heart attack. It works only it it’s taken consistently for a long period of time.

Tip! Family history - a history of high blood pressure in your family can put you into a high risk group of having high blood pressure. It is common for high blood pressure to be passed down from generation to generation.

You can find hawthorn in herbal formulas designed to treat high blood pressure. Also, you can make a tea with this herb by adding two teaspoons of crushed leaves and berries to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for approximately twenty minutes, then strain and drink. You may drink up to two cups of this tea per day.

Another highly studied herb that is used to treat hypertension is Passiflora Incarnata. This herb contains different natural chemicals that help to calm the entire body, relax the blood vessels and help reduce overall blood pressure. To make a tea using passion flower mix a teaspoon of dried leaves with a cup of boiling water and let it steep for about fifteen minutes. Strain and drink before going to bed.

Tip! Lower your salt intake

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Over 80 percent of patients who suffer from high blood pressure do not necessarily know that their blood pressure is high as the symptoms are often confused with the more general headaches, the lack of fitness or the common cold. Over the years, high blood pressure has been known as the “silent killer” because the causes of high blood pressure are hard to pinpoint and trace. Millions of people are completely oblivious to the fact that they have been having high blood pressure for years and just leave it undetected and untreated. When this condition continues, it could cause severe damage to your internal vital organs, slowly leading to a fatal condition by which time it is too late to take any meaningful treatment. Therefore, it cannot be stressed enough the importance of having an annual medical check up to ensure your blood pressure is within a healthy range.
There is a correlation between high blood pressure and heart attacks, as well as a stroke. When the high blood pressure is left untreated, the risk of a heart attack or a stroke is significantly increased. As more research is done on identifying the causes of high blood pressure, one of the […]

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