Why Hypertension is Called the Silent Killer!
With all of the play that healthy living, responsible eating, and fitness and exercise lifestyles have been getting in our modern world, it’s really amazing to see that so few people are talking about the real dangers that hypertension brings to the table.
One of the most devastating medical conditions that a human being can be diagnosed with, hypertension (also more commonly known as high blood pressure) is a systemic issue that can reach into almost every piece of your life – with crippling effects.
Doctor communities have long been speaking out about the risks associated with hypertension, with very few people paying any attention whatsoever. High blood pressure and hypertension are the kinds of medical issues associated with seniors – and fall under the umbrella of “old age” and everything associated with it.
However, more and more medical research is pointing to the fact that anyone – and literally everyone – is at risk for living with hypertension, specifically if they are moving forward with a lifestyle conducive to creating this condition in the first place. Hopefully you got to the kind of foundational knowledge you need in this quick and easy to read article do not only reverse the impact of hypertension, but to prevent it from taking over your life entirely moving forward.
What are the specific symptoms and dangers of hypertension?
Any medical professional or doctor (online or off) will tell you that the risks associated with hypertension are far-reaching and devastating in their impact.
We’re not just talking about a bit of dizziness, a reduced ability to function physically at high levels, more headaches – we’re talking about a complete and total shutdown of your cardiovascular system, either from implosion or explosion of your heart and other vital components.
Yes, high blood pressure can begin to cause havoc all throughout your body – springing leaks, breaking organs, and devastating your body in ways that we are only now beginning to discover.
But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Hypertension and high blood pressure can because by literally thousands of different things, which makes it so difficult to treat, reverse, and cure – but not impossible.
The real big problem for those looking to get rid of hypertension with a prescription (or through the advice of a doctor) is that many of the precursors to hypertension are genetic in nature. This means that you may be predisposed towards hypertension just by being born with the genetic makeup from your parents (and any other ancestors), and there’s very little that you can do about it.
However, modern science and research is showing that genetic information is not set in stone – and while it will certainly influence your health and well-being, it’s not the only determining factor. By following some of the information provided below on how best to manage hypertension, you should be able to reverse many of those risk factors – mitigating them entirely in some instances.
Another real reason why people are living with high blood pressure is because of the sedentary lifestyle that we meet, combined with absolutely terrible nutritional habits. All throughout our development, humans have had to stay on the move constantly and consistently – either hunting for food, foraging for it, or moving to more attractive environments on a regular basis. This led to a tremendously active lifestyle as well as a diet that consisted of only the freshest foods possible.
Fast for two today, and you’ll find that most of us are sitting in front of computers and keyboards eight or 10 hours on the day – and eating anything that can be prepared in 10 minutes or less. This is let us to devour food so far from its natural form that it’s mostly a chemical concoction now, which is just wreaking havoc on our bodies.
There are also a number of other psychological impacts that can increase your risks with hypertension – including the stress and pressure of everyday life – with your doctor will probably be able to give you a couple of helpful hints to mitigate those temporary searches.
Why is hypertension so dangerous?
There are a couple of reasons that hypertension is so dangerous, and some of them aren’t what you would think.
For one (and most obviously), hypertension will put a ridiculous amount of strain on all of your major bodily systems – beginning with your heart. Without your heart it’s impossible to stay alive, and any major failures will surely result in a fatality. Extra stress and strain will shave years off of your life, unnecessarily especially when you consider how easy it is to reverse hypertension in the first place.
Secondly, doctors (as well as off-line doctors) have been talking about the “hidden dangers” of hypertension for years and years. Because it’s so difficult to diagnose until it is almost too late, hypertension is able to wreak havoc on your body undiscovered and undeterred for undetermined amount of time – really messing up the place and putting you in harm’s way.
Finally, hypertension is incredibly dangerous because most people believe it will never happen to them – or that by the time it happens to them they’ll be too old to care. Once believed to be a medical condition that only plagued the elderly, we’re starting to discover (thanks to much of the collaborative research provided by doctors all over the world) that almost anyone at any age can suffer from hypertension. The last thing that you’re going to want to do is underestimate the severity of this situation, putting yourself in harm’s way for no reason whatsoever.
What can I do to reverse or cure hypertension?
This is where the overwhelming majority of the focus should be, especially if you’re serious about getting yourself into the very best health possible.
The first thing that you’re going to want to do (after being properly diagnosed with pre-hypertension or full-blown hypertension) is to adjust your eating and exercise habits as much as you can. On a case-by-case basis of the specifics of your workout and eating program will vary from anyone else’s, but as a general rule of thumb you’ll want to eat less processed foods and workout as frequently as you can – making sure to get in some relatively strenuous exercise at least a 3 to 5 times a week.
Secondly (and especially if your hypertension has developed to dangerous levels) you’re going to want to look into medical intervention. Sometimes this may require surgical procedures to alleviate the stress and pressure on your cardiovascular system, but more often than not you’ll have to take some form of drug or supplement. There are online specifically designed to cater to people who are living with full-blown hypertension – but you only want to move forward with them after speaking with your medical professional.
Another key to reducing hypertension’s impact (and one that is often overlooked) is reducing the amount of stress and pressure that you place upon yourself on a regular basis. While it’s almost impossible to alleviate all of the friction in our lives completely, trying to get to a better place mentally and emotionally will help you to “clear up” many of the more problematic issues.
The first key to eliminating hypertension from your body forever is not to seek out the very best doctor willing to give you a prescription – but instead to see just how “deep in the rabbit hole” you currently are. You’ll need to have your blood pressure checked at the very least (should probably submit to a full blood test), but you want to get your hands on baseline numbers before doing anything else.
Secondly, and always with the advice of your doctor, you’ll want to begin a more healthy lifestyle – including exercise regiments and healthy eating. Depending upon your specific goals (and how bad your hypertension has already gotten) the plans for creating this healthy lifestyle will fluctuate on a case-by-case basis, but as a general rule of thumb you’ll want to eat foods that are as close to their natural form as possible while at the same time exercising at least three times a week.
Hypertension can be conquered, but it’s going to take a concerted effort from you to do so. Into all the resources that you have available, check out all of the different research provided hypertension doctor services, and don’t be afraid of investigating some of the prescription solutions for this condition.
According to recent data, the incidence of hypertension rose by 10 percent in the U.S. from 2005 to 2009 (CDC, 2010). Some studies show that white coat hypertension can respond to dietary changes, reduction of stress, and decrease of sodium intake. Also, patients are encouraged to frequently monitor their blood pressure when episodic elevations are noted.
If you have “white coat hypertension” or “white coat syndrome,” your blood pressure goes up when you have it measured at the doctor’s office. Many healthcare professionals believe that this condition signals that you are at increased risk for developing hypertension as a long-term problem. This is also true for people who have blood pressure spikes at other times. If you have white coat hypertension, consider frequent monitoring of your blood pressure (Sheps, 2013).
Also called “isolated office hypertension” white coat syndrome is defined as blood pressure that is elevated at least 140/90 mm Hg at the doctor’s office, but a reading that is “normal” when measured other places. Blood pressure is considered normal when it is less than 135/85 mm Hg. Approximately 30 percent of patients report white coat hypertension, according to researcher Dr. Dunaief (2013).
Those with White Coat Hypertension are at Risk for Sustained Hypertension
In a 2005 Ohasama study, researchers found that study participants who had white coat hypertension were 3 times more likely to develop sustained high blood pressure compared to those who had normal blood pressure during office visits. In the trial, almost 800 people with the mean age of 56 were evaluated over an eight year period. This gave the researchers a better sense of how this syndrome could develop into sustained hypertension.
The PAMELA study (2009) showed that people with white coat hypertension were 2.5 times more likely to developed elevated persistent hypertension that those who had normal blood pressure during doctor visits. In this study, researchers followed over 1,400 people who were from 25 to 74 years of age over a 10 year period (Dunaief, 2013).
Prevent Hypertension with Beet Juice
In a small, randomized controlled study, researchers found that beet juice reduced blood pressure significantly. The participants were given 8 ounces of beet juice or a placebo drink (colored water). When the groups were compared, those who drank the beet juice had an 11 mm Hg decrease in blood pressure, whereas those who drank the water saw only a 0.7 decrease.
The investigators theorize that this effect was due to high nitrate levels in the beet juice that are converted to nitrite in the body. Nitrite is a potent vasodilator, enlarging the blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Because some leafy green vegetables contain nitrate, they could offer a similar effect.
Lower Blood Pressure by Eating Bananas
In a recent study, scientist found that increasing potassium levels through food sources could greatly reduce blood pressure. The study participants eat foods daily that contained around 4,000 mg of potassium. These included leafy green vegetables, bananas, raisins, and almonds. The researchers advise that you must eat 10 bananas to get the adequate amounts of potassium, so it is best to eat a variety of potassium-rich foods.
Mayo Clinic Study: Smart Phones Effective for Telemedicine
According to a study by the Mayo Clinic, smart phone technology is useful for stoke patients. One doctor reported that telemedicine can now “fit in our pockets.” In telestroke care, the use of telemedicine allows for patients at rural hospitals to be seen in real time by neurologists. The doctor can evaluate the patient and also view scans of the patient’s brain for hemorrhage or blocked arteries. This allows patients to receive fast care without traveling miles to see the specialist. Lead researcher Dr. Demaerschalk conveyed that smart phones are everywhere, and there is no reason why health information cannot be transmitted securely and simultaneously using this capability.
Patients Approve of Online Treatment
If you or someone you love has hypertension, consider using the services of an online doctor. If you misplace or run out of your medication, the virtual healthcare provider can give you a prescription. All you need to do is send a request, and the doctor “sees” you across the air waves.
According to a recent study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, patients who have access to doctor notes are more likely to understand their health issues, take their prescribed medicines, and feel a sense of control over their care. The study found that 90 percent of patients reported that they actually read the doctors’ advice, around 70 percent said the information helped them improve prescription adherence, and 35 percent reported that they discussed these notes with others, such as friends and family members.
Study Shows Hypertension Increasing Among Children and Adolescents
Earlier this week, ScienceDaily published an article about the increase in hypertension among very young Americans. According to new research, included in an American Heart Association journal, the risk for elevated blood pressure among adolescents and children went up by 27 percent within a 13 year period. It is thought that contributing factors to this increase may include larger waistlines, higher body masses, and the dietary consumption of excess sodium.
Adults, over the age of 20 years, should have blood pressure readings less than 120/80. In children and teens, normal blood pressure varies depending on their age, gender, and height. Hypertension researcher Rosner and associates (2013) recorded "elevated" readings in children. However, the children studied could not actually be called “hypertensive,” as blood pressure readings need to be higher than normal three times in succession in order for an official diagnosis to be made.
The investigators (Rosner, 2013) made comparisons between approximately 3,200 children, aged 8 to 17 years, in 1988-1994 and around 8,300 subjects, in 1999-2008, accounting for differences in age, gender, body mass, waistline, sodium intake, and race/ethnicity between the two groups.
Study results showed the following:
• Boys were more likely to suffer from elevated blood pressure. However, the rate increased more significantly in girls from the earlier study to the later one.
• More subjects were overweight in the later study. Also, both genders, particularly girls, possessed larger waistlines.
• Those children whose body mass or waistlines were in the top 25 percent, for their age, were approximately two times as likely to have elevated blood pressure as compared to children in the bottom 25 percent.
• African-American youngsters were 28 percent more likely to have elevated blood pressure than non-Hispanic white subjects were.
• Children who consumed the largest amounts of salt had a 36 percent greater risk of elevated blood pressure than those with the lowest intake. This was noted in both studies.
High Intake of Daily Sodium Contributes to Hypertension in Children
Greater than 80 percent of patients monitored, in both studies, had a daily salt intake above 2,300 milligrams. Interestingly, fewer children in the later study had an intake of 3,450 milligrams or above. Suggested sodium intake is considered to be 1,500 mg daily.
Other research studies have shown links between excessive dietary intake of sodium and hypertension. Previous results suggested that the reduction of sodium levels, in the diets of children and adolescents, may decrease average systolic blood pressure by 1.2 mm Hg. and the average diastolic blood pressure by 1.3 mm Hg (Rosner et al., 2013).
Doing Volunteer Work Reduces the Risk of Hypertension in Older Adults
Earlier this month, ScienceDaily published another hypertension related article. It pointed out that consciously helping other people can actually help protect someone from developing high blood pressure. Newly released research indicates that older adults, who volunteer a minimum of 200 hours yearly, reduce their risk of developing hypertension by as much as 40 percent meaning that volunteer work may be just as effective as antihypertensive medications in helping to prevent this potentially deadly condition.
The purpose of this study (Carnegie Mellon University, 2013) was to ascertain if a positive lifestyle choice, such as volunteer work, could reduce the risk for certain diseases. Approximately 1,200 older American adults (51 to 91 years) were interviewed twice, once in 2006 and once in 2010. Every subject had normal blood pressure readings at the initial interview. At each session, volunteering, other social/psychological factors and blood pressure were taken into consideration.
Lower Blood Pressure by Volunteering
Results showed that individuals who claimed to do 200 volunteer hours or more, during the initial interview, were 40 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than subjects who reported no volunteer hours when they were evaluated after four years. Specific kinds of volunteer work did not seem to be contributing factors. Rather the amount of time spent volunteering contributed to higher protection from hypertension.
Authors of this study from the Carnegie Melon University (2013) stated that participation in volunteer activities provides older individuals with social connections that they might not otherwise have. There is strong evidence suggesting that good social connections promote healthy aging thus reducing the risks for many negative health outcomes. These study results actually offer older adults an opportunity to actively do something to help remain healthy as they age.
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