Hypertension – stop, do not ignore!

A blood pressure sensor is not provided by nature. A hypertension check out is easy to get from a nurse or a doctor. Then too, some pharmacy stores and some other stores, have made available blood pressure reading machines as a public service. Take note - machines can be errant, and technique can be faulty. Now, for either of these two reasons the blood pressure reading could be falsely high (or incorrectly not). And, what do you think a high pressure reading would do to you? A high reading should cause anxiety. This should normally increase your blood pressure. This is just one of natures homeostatic pressure controls of the circulation system. And there are more. This, too, is a clue on how to counter hypertension if it arises.

Hypertension – what should I change?

Assuming you are curiosity bent, a brief overview of the circulation system is apropos. We have here a hydraulic fluid, blood; two reservoirs, the lungs and the body; two pumps connected in series and set in one compartment and connected side by side, which is the heart. And some of the variables that have a bearing on the pressure in the system are:

* the amount of fluid
* the thickness of the fluid
* the forcefulness of the pump
* the variability to the tubing size
* the resiliency of the vessels
* the efficiency of the pump valves

Perhaps the last paragraphs above are of some interest, but, only a few of those topics will be continued with here. Our topic of interest is,essential hypertension.

What is essential hypertension?

Consider, you get a medical examination and the only physical variation of note is your diastolic pressure, which sits at, lets say 90 (mm Mercury). And the doctor says your diastolic pressure (the bottom point) is slightly up, or he/she says you have essential hypertension. So what should you make of it?

Begin with a positive outlook - you are not yet confronting a serious disease. And, secondly, if in summer you see someone wearing a balaclava, you don't have proof of his/her bad intent, but it should arouse suspicion. So, I submit that your condition might behave as an insidious thief, or as a casual anomaly. Take note of it. Let it be noted that in essential hypertension the bottom pressure is up, there is too much resistance to the flow of blood. The capillaries are too small, too constricted. Be it noted here that emotional tension, anxiety, is associated with a sympathetic inter-action. Adrenaline, a sympathetic mediator is a small vessel constrictor.

I submit here that the first intervention to consider in this referred to situation is to reduce the daily pressures and/or learn to change your inter-action to these pressures. Counsel with the appropriate profession for inner problems, for interpersonal or/and for financial stress problems might be considered. Or you might pursue self-development on how to become more philosophical and relaxed about what life sends your way.

I have noted that it becomes difficult to be worried, or anxious, with even moderate exercise. This has been commonly stressed by others. So, latch onto this idea; intersperse some physical activity throughout the day, for stress relief and other health benefits.

But, you may know that saturated fats are to be restricted, as you may know that you eat too much; but undoing it may be hard. So, here is a bit of good news- the forces of nature are often slow. This gives time to make changes. Yet there is some bad information. With vessel disease of fat deposits occur faster in vessels under pressure stress. And the deposits worsen the restricted blood flow already extant. And, supplying blood flow to extra fatty tissue by a heart that is fettered to a continuous up hill walk, so to speak, may lead to it deciding to shorten its service to you. Why not favor it instead?

So, in brief, both vessel-constriction and natural occlusive disease process may add resistance to and reduce blood flow. And a pressure increase to maintain blood flow may occur.

Sodium is another factor of significant influence in what systems operating pressure is set at. And, yes, table salt, a food preserver and a condiment, holds poor repute in regard to our theme. Good kidneys, not with standing, are not a complete match for a daily salt overload. In to days world salt is cheap. And too many have developed a liking for a salty taste. And food manufacturers have enjoyed using it. Now health organizations are actively pressing to have sodium content labelled and reduced in commercial food.

In the body sodium and potassium ions are not merely diffusing passively across the cell membranes but show concentration gradients. The body has an active transport for these ions. And sodium influences the balance of the intracellular and extra- cellular fluid volumes, and affects the pressure setting of the system.

This discussion side steps the issue of hypertensive situation that merit strong medical intervention with modern pharmacy drugs. Such situations do occur. An association of hypertension and herbs of therapeutic benefit for it is accepted. Summarily, though, striving to live with equanimity, with regular moderate daily exercise, avoiding saturated fats and excess calories. Choosing with care to avoid foods with high sodium content and cutting out adding salt, are precepts to endorse without being on the threshold of essential hypertension.

I'll refer to another site that gives this reflection about our theme. "Essential hypertension treatment - Have you wondered if hypertension could possibly be something you have to worry about? Even those who follow a vegetarian lifestyle can end up with this disease but we know a way to deal it, take early diagnosis and follow our tips better for your healthy lifestyle."