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Monday, January 31, 2011

Signs of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is known as a silent killer. And probably most don’t even think about their blood pressure. However, high blood pressure can be quite fatal. There are some symptoms that can indicate that you have high blood pressure, and can prevent you from having a stroke. So continue reading as it might save your life or the life of someone you know.

Some of the typical signs of high blood pressure are headaches, dizziness, pounding in the ears and a bloody nose. But some people experience a small pain in the back of their head or have an increase in urination.

Though an increase in urination could mean your blood sugar is really high, if you are diabetic. That’s why it’s hard to see the signs. But if you are diabetic and you are experiencing an increase in urination and headaches, then just check your blood sugar and see if that is the cause. If it is not then you can rule out high blood sugar, and find out if you have high blood pressure.

Adding salt to your diet can also inflate your risk of having blood pressure. Having too much salt in your diet can increase your blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if need to cut down on your salt intake.

But if you have to cut down on the salt, you can use many other herbs instead of salt. Garlic, chives, and onions are good alternatives. Cutting down on the slat is not so bad, just think of the alternative.

You shouldn’t ignore high blood pressure; it can be very fatal if unchecked. The result could be you having a stroke. A stroke can be very deadly and limit your movements. So go to the doctor and see if you have high blood pressure.
Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Basics of High Blood Pressure

The heart is a tough operating mechanism which moves blood around the body through a very advanced system called arteries and capillaries; the blood is then carried back to the heart by means of veins. Blood pressure is the thrust of this blood in the body pushing up against the inside walls of the arteries as the heart is pumping.

As the heart compresses it will drive this blood into the arteries which makes an increase in pressure. This increase in pressure is noted as systolic pressure.

When the heart decompresses and fills with blood, the pressure in the arteries then declines which is noted as the diastolic pressure. When the blood pressure is evaluated in the arm, it is both of these pressures which are evaluated.

Blood pressure is always applied as a systolic and diastolic pressure number, and is an important measurement. The measurements are always written one preceding or before the other number, such as 120/80 and always stated in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

The systolic pressure is the 1st or top side number, and the diastolic pressure is the 2nd or lowermost number (for example, 120/80), so if your blood pressure is 120/80, it is translating to 120 over 80.

Blood pressure will have a wide range with a varity of people. For example, the top reading which is when the heart contracts (systolic) can change from 90 to 240 mmHg and the bottom pressure which is when the heart relaxes (diastolic) can often change from 40 to 160 mmHg.

Blood pressure can also vary significantly depending on what you are doing during the day. The lowest blood pressures usually happen when you are sleeping or if resting all the muscles. Standing for periods of time, or if you're performing any form of exercise, any anxiety and problems, or nerviness can also create increases in blood pressure.

That means in one day the blood pressure could change by up to a 30 to 40 mmHg systolic reading with like changes in the diastolic pressure. This is why it's so crucial to have the blood pressure taken under the same conditions each time.

For the bulk of the waking hours, the blood pressure remains about the same whether you are sitting or standing still, so ideally, the blood pressure should be 120/80 or lower when the body is rested.

If the blood pressure is steady and remains high at 140/90 or higher, this may indicate a disease called Hypertension which essentially means high blood pressure. When the blood pressure is high, the heart has to work more to get the blood through your arteries. These then take a beating from having the blood pressured into them, and the danger of a stroke, heart attack, or even kidney troubles then become that much of a greater risk.

High blood pressure is a serious disease because it has the heart working much harder. If the heart has to work harder for extended periods, it will become large. If the heart is slightly enlarged, it can and should still work alright, but if it becomes greatly enlarged it won't work alright. High blood pressure can also cause damage to the arteries which can lead to arterial disease.

The higher the blood pressure is the more risk you have of acquiring heart disease and stroke. This means somebody with a blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg is at greater risk than someone with a blood pressure of 120/70 mmHg. And is the reason it is so important for all to lead a wholesome lifestyle to make sure their blood pressure is as low and as healthy as it can be.

If you put up with Hypertension, it can be treated. Modest cases of Hypertension can usually be treated through lifestyle changes such as the diet, or increasing the workout levels. Some find dropping weight is all that is needed to lower their high blood pressure.

Severe cases of Hypertension will need prescription medications such as diuretics and beta blockers. Diuretics aid the body in getting rid of any excess fluids and salt. But, from individual experience, keep course of the body's potassium levels also. Beta blockers will lower the heart rate and the heart's output of blood. These then lower the risk of developing heart and brain problems.
Thursday, January 27, 2011

High Blood Pressure Diets

If your nurse or doctor measures your blood pressure at 140/90 then you suffer from hypertension. Many adults and even some children have high blood pressure. It is very important to get proper treatment to control your high blood pressure. Diet for high blood pressure patients has to be healthy since along with medications and exercises a balanced diet can equally help in keeping your blood pressure under control.

Following a diet for high blood pressure also reduces or prevents clogged arteries, increases in cholesterol, cancer and also reduces weight. The ideal diet for high blood pressure patients should include low fat or fat free products and should definitely exclude animal fats, red meat, sugary products, and sweets. Surveys show that high potassium and low sodium content in fruits and vegetables help in regulating the blood pressure level.

The diet for high blood pressure is best when it doesn’t contain high amount of salt or sodium. Many people might think salt-less food might be flavorless. To add flavor to the diet for high blood pressure you can add spices to the food instead of salt.

There are certain tips for your diet for high blood pressure that you can follow such as, rinse canned food in order to rinse off sodium. Instead, buy frozen salt free vegetables, which don’t contain much salt or sodium and restrict your intake of cured meat, ham bacon, pickles, olives, mustard, ketchup, and Soy sauce in your diet for high blood pressure.

It is obvious that diet affects blood pressure level. Therefore, it is very important that you maintain a proper, healthy, and balanced diet for high blood pressure.

The most important thing that you should avoid in your diet for high blood pressure is salt. Intake of salt for hypertension patients can be harmful as it just accentuates the problem. You can lower your blood pressure to a great extent if you cut down salt consumption in your diet for high blood pressure. You should not have more than 6 grams of salt per day. You must cut down on pizza, frozen diners, canned food, broths, canned soups and salad dressings since these have high sodium content in them. If you are non-vegetarian then make sure you are including fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat in your diet.

In order to avoid salt in your diet you must avoid junk food as well. If there is a mineral imbalance in your diet then it might have an adverse effect on your health condition. Maintaining a healthy diet can work wonders. It can help you to reduce your blood pressure within a period of two weeks.

If you are suffering from high blood pressure you should consult your primary care physician for advice prior to making any changes to your diet.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011

How The Heart Works

Being the strongest muscle in the body, the hearts purpose is to pump blood through our blood vessels through rhythmic contractions. To regulate blood pressure and volume, the heart secrets "ANF", which is a very powerful peptide hormone. It affects the regulatory region of the brain, as well as the kidneys, blood vessels, and the adrenal glands.

First off, i would like to clear up a worldwide rumor; the Heart is not located on the left side of your body! Its actual location is found in the center of your chest, just SLIGHTLY of to the left hand side, and underneath the sternum. For protection, the heart is enveloped in a sac called the pericardium, and is surrounded by the lungs. First thought is, "why does the strongest muscle in the body need so much protection?". It's fragile! Weighing in at about 300 grams, the heart consists of 4 chambers; 2 lower ventricles and 2 upper atria. Valves between the atrium and the ventricle control proper blood flow from one to the other.

The job of pumping blood everywhere in the body is a huge responsibilty. Each and every beat of the heart consists of a sequence of events called the cardiac cycle. "Cardiac" is greek, meaning "heart". There is 3 major steps in the sequence: atrial systole, ventricular systole and complete cardiac diastole. After the blood has completely left the atria, the atrioventricular valves (located between atria and ventricular chambers), close to prevent backflow. This function is what you would recognize as your heartbeat. Next, there is a contraction of the ventricles and flow of blood into the circulatory system. This is known as the ventricular systole. Once again, valves called "pulmonary" and "aortic semilunar" close to prevent backflow. After these 2 steps, the heart takes a quick break called complete cardiac diastole. This allows the refilling of blood and to start the process over.
Sunday, January 23, 2011

Stress And Blood Pressure

As you know, there is a direct connection between stress and blood pressure. A stressful lifestyle is generally accepted to be a major cause of hypertension and a host of other illnesses.

In fact, people are often not very surprised when they learn that someone in a high-profile, high-stress job or business also suffers from high blood pressure. It is practically expected that he or she will have the condition.

Stress-induced hypertension can lead to cardiac problems which may compromise your health for the rest of your life.

Because of the demands of their business, many busy executives don’t eat right or exercise. This results in unhealthy weight gain. When you add excessive levels of job related stress into the mix, you have a perfect recipe for several health problems.

High blood pressure increases the load on vital organs of the body. Organs like the kidneys and the heart may become so overloaded that they no longer function properly.

While they are not definite indicators, some of the symptoms of high blood pressure include feelings of lethargy and low energy, increased frequency of urination, severe headaches, giddiness and nausea.

What can someone in a high-stress occupation do to avoid hypertension? It may not always be possible to avoid stressful situations, but you can take steps to minimize the impact.

Ask yourself, have you created a work environment where you are thought to be indispensable in your job? Do you or others feel that work will never get done without your direct presence and intervention?

That sort of environment can generate plenty of stress and send your blood pressure levels dangerously high.

Acknowledge that no one is indispensable and that life and business will go on without you. In any case, you will serve your work better if you don’t drive stress levels high for yourself or others.

Often, it is a matter of defining your priorities. Give some serious thought to what is really important to you. Not what you think others expect of you. If what you have is out of alignment with what you want, start to make changes.

If you think you are overloaded at work, ask that some of your duties be given to others in your office.

Consult your doctor about the ideal weight for you and if necessary, begin a weight reduction program under his supervision.

Find out from your doctor what exercise program will suit you best. Make a commitment to exercise regularly and do it.

If your doctor recommends dietary changes such as limiting salt intake to reduce the risk of hypertension, stick to it.

Many people claim that regular meditation can help lower blood pressure. Even five to ten minutes a day can help.

You need not do any esoteric tricks to get the benefits of meditation. Keep it simple. Sit in a comfortable position, relax your body and mind and quiet your thoughts as much as possible. If you prefer, quietly watch your breath flow in and out, without attempting to control it in any way.

Don’t get worked up about the fact that you can’t relax completely or reach perfect stillness of mind. That’s not required in any case.

A series of small changes will add up to a major difference in your state of health. Do what is necessary to limit both stress and blood pressure to manageable levels.
Friday, January 21, 2011

Three miles in 30 days running program..

This running program consist of three main parts, first fat burning this program will for sure burn fat. Second endurance you will have a much better breathing pattern during and after this workout over the next 30 days. Third, the shape of your body will change regardless of whatever it looks like now, after 30 days you will see a noticeable difference. Everyday is a 30 minute workout to be complete 4 - 6 times per week. So you will need a stopwatch or a watch if you miss more than three days per week you will need to go back and repeat that week. But whatever you do do not give up.

DAY #1 Though DAY #4
#1) Walk for five minutes, and then jog for 1 minute


#2) walk for five minutes, and then jog for two minutes


#3) walk for five minutes, and then jog for two minutes


#4) walk for four minutes, and then SPRINT for 8 seconds


#5 walk for two minutes to cool down.


DAY 5 Through DAY 9


#1) walk for four minutes, and then jog for two minutes


#2) walk for four minutes, and then jog for three minutes


#3) walk for three minutes, and then jog for three minutes


#4) walk for three minutes, and then jog for three minutes


#5) walk for two minutes, and then SPRINT for 10 seconds


#6) walk three minutes for cool down.


DAY 10 Through DAY 13


#1) walk for three minutes, then jog for three minutes


#2) walk for two minutes, then SPRINT for 15 seconds


#3) walk for two minutes, then SPRINT for 15 seconds


#4) walk for two minutes, then SPRINT for 10 seconds


#5) walk for two minutes, then SPRINT for 10 seconds


#6) walk for two minutes, then jog for three minutes


#7) walk for two minutes, then jog for three minutes


#8) walk for two minutes, then jog for two minutes


#9) walk two minutes for cool down


DAY 14 Through DAY 17


#1) walk for three minutes, then jog for six minutes


#2) walk for three minutes, then jog for four minutes


#3) walk for two minutes, then jog for three minutes


#4) walk for two minutes, then jog for three minutes


#5) walk for one minute, then jog for one minute


#6) walk for two minute cool down


DAY 18 Through 21


#1) walk for three minutes, then jog for eight minutes


#2) walk for three minutes, then jog for six minutes


#3) walk for three minutes, then SPRINT for 15 seconds


#4) walk for two minutes, then SPRINTS for 15 seconds


#5) walk for two minutes, then SPRINT for 10 seconds


#6) walk for two minute cool down


DAY 22 Through 24


#1) walk for two minutes, then jog for ten minutes


#2) walk for two minutes, then jog for eight minutes


#3) walk for one minutes, then jog for two minutes


#4) walk for one minute, then jog for one minute


#5) walk for two minutes cool down


DAY 25 AND DAY 26


#1) walk for one minute, then jog for sixteen minutes


#2) walk for two minutes, then jog for ten minutes


#3) walk for as long as you need for cool down


DAY 27 AND 28


#1) walk for one minute, then jog for twenty minutes


#2) walk for two minutes, then SPRINT for 15 seconds


#3) walk for one minute, then SPRINT for 15 seconds


#4) walk for one minute, then jog for three minutes


#5) walk for two minutes for cool down


DAY 29


JOG FOR 30 STRAIGHT MINUTES EASY do not over do it just a nice easy pace.


DAY 30


JOG FOR 30 STRAIGHT MINUTES AGAIN BUT TIME PUT MORE INTO IT, AT THIS POINT YOU SHOULD BE AT THE THREE MILE IN 30 MINUTES.

Dale Dupree Brown, Copywrite (7) 2007
Former pro boxer and Delaware state champion, who enjoys helping others obtain their goals in any sport, or personal activities. He have trained many atheltes from track, football, boxing and have always enjoyed it. Anyone who desires their own personal daily workout plan can join our membership a or email me at davaldupree@yahoo.com include your age, height, weight, and your desires, and date you plan to reach your desires.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Trans Fat and High Blood Pressure

When the demand for butter exceeded the ability of farmers to supply this desirable fat ... the search for a substitute started us on a road to trans fats, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Not until 20 years ago did we finally discover the dangers of trans fats.

How Did Trans Fats Enter our Food Supply?

In the 1860s butter was in great demand and there just wasn't enough to satisfy everybody. Emperor Louis Napoleon III offered a prize for a substitute ... and so, the first margarine was invented by a French chemist. It was created from clarified beef fat.

It wasn't until 40 years later that the process of hydrogenation was developed ... and the door to deadly trans fats was opened. Butter rationing during two worlds wars and the lower cost of margarine ... had more and more people switching to this butter substitute -- made from cheap vegetable fats.

When vegetable oils are hydrogenated ... their molecules are chemically re-arranged. This produces a fat -- trans fat -- that becomes semi-hard at room temperature. Basically, trans fats mimic the saturated fats that our taste buds love. We are naturally drawn to the taste and the consistency.

The semi-solid trans fats are great for baking ... and not expensive like butter or lard. This is a big plus for food processors ... and the reason trans fats are found in most baked goods -- as well as fried foods. While this cheap alternative to butter is a boon for the food makers ... it is a dangerous bust for consumers. In the US alone, an estimated 100,000 people die prematurely every year ... due to the use of trans fats.

So What's so Bad About Trans Fats?

Trans fats have the worst effect on your cholesterol levels of all fats. They drive up your levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol ... at the same time lowering your levels of heart-protective HDL cholesterol. Trans fats' overall effect on your cholesterol levels is ... twice as bad as the effect of saturated fats.

Recently, trans fats have also come under fire for damaging the lining of your arteries. It's this damage that leads to hardening of the arteries and higher blood pressure. The linings of your arteries play a very important role in controlling blood pressure. When these vital linings become damaged, their function is impaired -- resulting in high blood pressure.

How Can You Avoid Trans Fats?

Although trans fats were first used in margarine ... most margarines have eliminated this deadly fat. But, they're still found in many baked goods and fried foods. In fact, because of their low cost and convenience -- trans fats keep foods from spoiling -- hydrogenated oils are being used even more.

Keep clear of donuts, French fries, pastries, fast foods ... even the seemingly healthy granola bar often contains this dangerous fat. Check labels carefully ... avoid any food that contains hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Finally, a Little Help from the FDA

Fortunately, it is starting to get easier to find these dangerous trans fats -- and avoid them. As of January 2006, the FDA is requiring food makers to list the trans fat content ... on the Nutrition Facts label found on all products.

Even a small amount of trans fats in your diet is bad for your heart health. Switch over to healthier fats today. Not all fats are bad for you. In fact, some fats will even help you lower your blood pressure. Olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish will give your body a good dose of healthy fats.
Monday, January 17, 2011

Treating and Preventing Heart Problems

If you're a senior or love someone who is, take heart. A new study is shedding light on ways to help older Americans keep healthier longer. According to the study, thousands of heart attacks, strokes and deaths could be prevented if patients used prescription blood-pressure medicine.

The study, "Reducing the Human Impact of High Blood Pressure," looked at the number of strokes, heart attacks, deaths and nursing facility placements that could be avoided every year if all seniors were to actively treat their high blood pressure. For instance, it was discovered that proper treatment of high blood pressure could prevent almost 7,000 deaths in Los Angeles alone.

"Currently, two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries have hypertension, which puts millions of seniors at risk annually," according to Dr. Paul Antony, chief medical officer for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. "Yet, for most people, high blood pressure can be controlled."

High blood pressure has no symptoms. If you're at risk, you should be tested regularly by your doctor. Self-tests at pharmacies and convenience stores are useful, but may not be totally reliable. Get tested if you're over 60, if you smoke, if you eat a lot of salt, if you lead a high-stress lifestyle or if you suffer from diabetes.

Nationwide, the study found that about a quarter of senior citizens with hypertension can easily manage their condition with proper treatment. Active treatment includes proper diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and taking prescription medications in consultation with a doctor.

The study demonstrates that diseases often associated with age are not simply inevitable consequences of getting older. With the help of a physician, these diseases can actually be sometimes treated, controlled and prevented.

One sponsor of the study was the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), an association representing the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies. Members are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives and are leading the way in the search for new cures.
Saturday, January 15, 2011

Using the Right Sized Blood Pressure Cuff

Blood Pressure has something to do with the personality of an individual. Obese personalities have a higher rate of blood pressure. Their suffering and style of hypertension is different from that of the ordinary people. Every medical practitioner tells you about this.

Often, fat people face the problem of blood pressure monitoring. Wrong sized blood pressure cuffs are used, and they naturally give the wrong reading. Even when the blood pressure of the obese people is normal, the readings tell a different story.

Using improper size cuffs, at times may prove to be critical mistake! Many medical practitioners are aware of the seriousness of this discrepancy and yet they ignore it. Take the case of a pregnant woman-if she were to carry on with the use of wrong-sized blood pressure cuffs, it is not only harmful for her but also for the child. (When wrong medication is done by wrong reading of blood pressure level.)

Accuracy of data is important in treating blood pressure- high or low! Medication and blood pressure level are importantly interrelated! The blood pressure cuff that is being used must be according to your condition of health, all factors considered! In case of the pregnant women, the concern for the baby is more!

It is you who are having blood pressure, therefore, you must possess the accurate knowledge about the cuff that you are going use. In a situation where larger cuffs are needed, and you use the smaller ones, the damage will be difficult to repair at a later time. For, the damage might have already occurred! As a blood pressure patient, you must be in constant touch with the blood pressure related matters, through some authentic journals, and you must keep a tab on the latest research on cuffs also. It is in your interest!

There are scientific reasons why a large-sized cuff is needed. Use a regular cuff on a fat person. It will artificially inflate the level of blood pressure in fat individuals. There won’t be meaning in further treatment, if the data before the medical practitioner is itself wrong! Cuff, when accepted and used as a measuring instrument of blood pressure, it should be a correct-sized tool.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Many individuals who experience signs of a heart attack allow them to go unnoticed. Ignoring the tale-tell signs of a heart attack can cause the problem to be much more serious than necessary, potentially leading to heart failure and even death.

If you think you are experiencing a heart attack, seek medical attention immediately. This is especially true for individuals who have previously had a heart attack or at a greater risk for a heart attack due to medical conditions or current prescriptions.

Remember the old adage, “better safe than sorry” and immediately seek medical help if you can identify a single sign that the pain or discomfort you are experiencing may be a heart attack.

There are a great many myths when it comes to dealing with heart attacks and the symptoms of individuals who are having a heart attack. Many people believe the pain has to be extreme or intense before they should seek medical attention. This is a common myth and completely false, as some sufferers say their heart attack was simply discomforting or mildly painful.

When an individual is having a heart attack, they will probably not look like sufferers in movies or on television. The mental association of heart attacks with individuals clutching their chests and falling to the ground is usually incorrect, as many heart attack victims say their attack began very slowly with an unusual feeling. If left undetected, a heart attack can significantly magnify in scale, but usually heart attacks are not a sudden burst of pain.

Women are prone to having heart attacks without knowing it, putting them at a greater risk for complications or problems. Most women think they are not at risk for a heart attack, but may actually be at a high risk for one. Speak with your doctor about any potential problems with heart attack in your family history or as a result to a current medical issue before dismissing the threat.

There are four main warning signs when it comes to determining whether or not the symptoms you are experiencing may be a heart attack. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention for potential heart attack immediately.

1.Chest pain or discomfort. The chest pain associated with a heart attack may not be overwhelming, but rather an uncomfortable feeling. This discomfort has been said to come and go, feeling like a pressure on the sufferer’s chest or an uncomfortable squeezing feeling. Usually, during a heart attack, any pain or discomfort originates in the center of the victim’s chest.

2.Upper body discomfort. Many heart attack victims relate that they experienced discomfort in their upper body, especially their shoulder, back, jaw, or arms, before the sensation affected their chest. This can also include an unusual sensation in the stomach. For this reason, a heart attack can be easily mistaken for heartburn or a simple stomach ache.

3.Shortness of breath. Usually occurring simultaneously with pain or discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath can be anything from the inability to catch one’s breath to being unable to properly breathe. Many heart attack victims dismissed this symptom as a side effect of whatever activity in which they were participating when the heart attack occurred.

4.Nausea. The feeling of being sick to one’s stomach is commonly associated with early warning symptoms of a heart attack. This symptom coupled with discomfort in the stomach can lead the heart attack to dismiss the symptoms as a simple stomach ache or stomach flu.

Other symptoms can include a general feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness. Many heart attack victims relate they received an overall feeling of unease and had an idea that something was out of the ordinary. Also, many victims have been known to break out in a cold sweat, which can also lead to a misdiagnosis of a flu bug or a less serious problem.

Since heart attacks are quite common in both men and women, you should make it a point to speak to your primary health care provider about your risk for a heart attack. Many individuals are unaware of any potential risk or heart problems until it is too late and they have already experienced a heart attack. By treating any problems before it is too late, you will be more likely to experience the least damage to your heart as possible.
Sunday, January 9, 2011

Blood Pressure Monitors

Are you looking for Blood Pressure Monitors? This article will give you comprehensive information about all types of blood pressure monitors.Taking your blood pressure and keeping a record of the measurements is important. It will give you and your doctor information, how much your blood pressure changes during the day. Blood pressure monitor is an important tool in tracking your blood pressure. It is important to keep track of your blood pressure to monitor your condition. Blood pressure monitor detects your both systolic and diastolic pressure. Having this kind of tool will help you understand more about the condition you are in and how these changes affect your daily activities.

Aneroid Blood Pressure Monitors or Manual blood pressure monitors-
Mostly you will see this blood pressure monitor at your Doctor's table. Manual blood pressure monitor includes arm cuff, a squeeze bulb for inflation, a stethoscope or microphone, and a medical gauge to measure the blood pressure. This monitor is the best if you want most accurate reading. Disadvantage is that these are of much bigger sizes as compared to digital ones. You need separate stethoscope.

Digital Blood Pressure Monitors:
Also called as Electronic or automatic blood pressure monitor. These are available with wrist as well as arm cuffs. But arm cuffs digital monitors are considered as more accurate as compared to wrist monitors. They have a display screen which shows results. More of these come with only one simple button. Wrap cuff, and click button , thats it. The only disadvantage of these are that these are more expensive and sometimes does not give accurate result if cuff is not wrapped accurately. Better you take 2-3 readings whenever you use digital monitor.

Finger Blood Pressure Monitor:
New Technology has arrived. Those who has to take blood pressure frequently, this finger monitor is ideal for them. Just place your index finger in finger cuff. Cuff inflates automatically. LCD will show the results. Highly light weight and portable. Most people use this monitor, even knowing that this is not accurate as arm monitors. They usually prefer it because these are most light weight and dont have to roll up their sleeves. When ever you buy this monitor, always compare your readings with normal arm BP apparatus.

PEDIATRIC BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR
This monitor comes with small cuff and a LCD like lcd of video game. This blood pressure monitor will help in keeping the children calmed and entertained while having their diagnosis and treatment. Pediatric blood pressure monitor is being used to screen the hypertension for young children. It is noted that both systolic and diastolic pressure increased significantly in children because of the higher number of overweight and obese children. As the child becomes heavier, the risk of high blood pressure increases as well. Monitoring blood pressure for pediatrics and children is widely used nowadays.

Wrist blood pressure monitor:
If you have fracture of arm or have arthritis of elbow joints, the preferably use wrist blood pressure monitor. Although it is said that finger and wrist monitors do not measure blood pressure very well, many people are still using it. These are more sensitive to body temperature and body position so may give false reading. These are also too expensive. These come with a cuff, small LCD and a storage case. Some even with pulse monitor. These are highly portable. Manufacturers have come up with the idea of adding much utility to this device, and as a result, the wrist blood pressure device are improved to look like a watch. For this reason, the wrist blood pressure monitor has brought the comfort of taking blood pressure into much greater dimension. This is especially made to suit the lifestyle of wide-ranging people.

Blood pressure monitor cuff:
When choosing blood pressure monitor, always see size of cuff first. If you are a fat person, dont go for normal size cuff. You need a larger size cuff. If you will use normal size cuff , you may hyper inflate it, giving you false reading. For children, also use smaller size cuffs. All depends upon your arm size.

What ever you choose for taking blood pressure, idea is try to select that blood pressure monitor which you can handle, read and operate easily and comfortably, thus giving you most accurate reading. While taking blood pressure, Follow all precautions on leaflet comes with any blood pressure monitor.

Dr Armughan, Author of this article. Read More about Blood Pressure Monitor
Friday, January 7, 2011

What is Low Blood Pressure

Apart from the technical interpretation, low blood pressure is a sort of disease that saps energy from all parts of your body and mind. Your spirits are down and your body starts shivering. You get a feeling of sinking — and you need a rescue mission immediately!!

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood within the arteries of the body. Blood pressure is the driving force that causes blood to flow through the body from the arteries (where the pressure is high), through organs, and into the veins (where the pressure is low). Blood pressure is generated by the pumping of blood by the heart into the arteries as well as by the resistance to the flow of blood by the arteries. The systolic blood pressure (the top number) represents the pressure in the arteries as the muscle of the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries. And the diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) represents the pressure in the arteries as the muscle of the heart relaxes after it contracts.

Systolic blood pressure for most healthy adults falls between 90 and 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal diastolic blood pressure falls between 60 and 80 mm Hg. (By convention, an individual’s blood pressure is written as systolic/diastolic blood pressure, e.g., 120/80). Current guidelines define normal blood pressure as lower than 120/80. Blood pressures between 120/80 and 140/90, which used to be considered “pre-hypertension,” are now considered too high. High blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis), eye damage, and stroke.

When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidney, it is referred to as Low Blood Pressure. When this happens, the organs are unable to function normally and can be permanently damaged. It should be noted that unlike high blood pressure, which is defined on the basis of blood pressure alone, low blood pressure is defined primarily by signs and symptoms of low blood flow. In fact, some individuals may have a blood pressure of 90/50 and have no signs or symptoms of low blood pressure, and, therefore, not have low blood pressure while others who normally have a blood pressure of 130/80 may develop symptoms and signs of low blood pressure if their blood pressure drops to 100/60.

There are certain traditional medicines that can help to cure low blood pressure. Butter milk is good for both high and low blood pressure. Using asafetida in various articles of food regularly, also helps to cure low blood pressure.