What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
Blood pressure is the arterial pressure of blood (as it flows through the arteries).
It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two figures. If
the readings were, for example, 140/90 mmHg the blood pressure is described as “'140
over 90”.
These two readings are: -
- The first reading is the systolic pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries
when the heart contracts and pumps the blood through them.
- The second reading is the diastolic pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries
when the heart rests between each contraction.
The term “high blood pressure” is used to describe a blood pressure that
remains at 140/90 mmHg or above each time it is taken. However, the “high” can be
the systolic, diastolic, or both: -
- 170/70 mmHg - a high systolic pressure.
- 120/104 mmHg - a high diastolic pressure.
- 170/110 mmHg – both systolic and diastolic pressures are high.
The pressure of the blood pressure as it passes through the arteries is determined
by the amount of blood pumped by the heart and condition of the arteries. More than
90% of hypertension has no underlying disease and is known as "essential hypertension."
However, high blood pressure can also be caused by other diseases or physical problems
and common causes of this, "secondary hypertension”, are kidney or thyroid
disease. Many factors, including genetics, age, race, chronic stress, obesity, smoking,
high salt diet, alcohol abuse and a sedentary lifestyle, are associated with high
blood pressure.
A single blood pressure reading that is high does not indicate that you have “high
blood pressure”'. This is because your blood pressure varies depending on anxiety,
stress and exercise. Diagnosis of “'high blood pressure”, or (hypertension,
is only made if there have been several blood pressure readings, taken on different
occasions, when the patient is relaxed, that are high.
Having high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing heart disease, a
stroke, and other serious conditions. Generally, the higher the blood pressure,
the greater the risk.
Who Is Affected by High Blood Pressure?
Approximately half of people over 65, and about 1 in 4 middle aged adults, in the
United Kingdom suffer from high blood pressure with most of these being in the mildly
high (up to 160/100 mmHg) group. However, at least 1 in 20 adults have blood pressure
of 160/100 mmHg or above.
High blood pressure is more common in people: -
- Suffering with diabetes. About 3 in 10 people with Type 1 diabetes and more than
half of people with Type 2 diabetes will eventually go on to develop high blood
pressure.
- From Afro-Caribbean origin.
- From the Indian sub-continent.
- Who have a family history of high blood pressure.
- Who are overweight.
- Eat a lot of salt.
- Do not eat enough fruit and vegetables.
- Do not exercise enough.
- Drink a lot of alcohol.
What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
Often referred to as the “silent killer”, hypertension can often develop over many
years without noticeable symptoms. It is only when the condition becomes more severe
that the warning signs appear. Signs such as headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds, racing
heartbeat, or irregular heartbeat.
Hypertension is a serious disorder that can cause many other health problems, including
heart attack, kidney damage, stroke, brain damage, and blindness.
If the high blood pressure is severe, the sufferer may have any of the following
symptoms: -
- Headaches.
- Ears ringing/buzzing.
- Confusion.
- Chest pain.
- Heart failure.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Excessive perspiration.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle tremors.
- Blood in the urine.
Allopathic Treatment Options
As previously stated, the term “high blood pressure” is used to describe a blood
pressure that remains at 140/90 mmHg or above each time it is taken. However, the
“high” can be the systolic, diastolic, or both: -
- 170/70 mmHg - a high systolic pressure.
- 120/104 mmHg - a high diastolic pressure.
- 170/110 mmHg – both systolic and diastolic pressures are high.
This, however, is an over-simplification as there are always other health factors
to be taken into consideration before any medication is prescribed and medication
can vary from case to case.
Change of lifestyle (where necessary) that can include; weight loss, exercise, improved
diet, and decrease in alcohol intake.
Drug therapy for people with: -
- B.P. of 160/100 mmHg or above.
- B.P. that remains at 140/90 mmHg or above after lifestyle changes (diet,
exercise, etc), where relevant AND who have: diabetes, or an existing
cardiovascular disease, or a 2 in 10 risk (or more) of developing a
cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years).
- B.P. of 130/80 mmHg or more and who have: certain complications from diabetes,
had a recent heart attack, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, with some
chronic kidney diseases.
Complementary Treatment Options
SHIATSU
Shiatsu has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of high blood pressure
(hypertension) as it creates a feeling of calmness and wellbeing, reducing
stress and anxiety, and increasing the efficiency of the circulatory system by
decreasing muscle tension. Shiatsu is usually experienced as deeply relaxing,
although there can also be emotional releases, there is a cumulative effect with
each session in the feeling of wellbeing and relaxation. Shiatsu practitioners
can work with conditions of both acute and chronic natures.
LIFESTYLE
- Daily Taiji and/or Qigong exercises.
- Daily Meditation.
- Regular aerobic activity (55% to 70% of maximal heart rate) for 30 minutes and
light resistance training at least 3-4 times a week.
- Eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fibre.
- Reduce the intake of fats and high cholesterol food.
- Avoid excessive salt intake.
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid alcohol and coffee.
- Reduce stress (through stress management, etc).
- Reduce weight (if necessary).
Pro-Holistic provides Shiatsu,
Healing Qigong therapy, on-site massage,
and Stress Mangement workshops.
We also provide tuition tuition in Qigong,
Taiji, Neijia, and self defence.