This topic wasn’t planned, however, on a recent visit to the Doctors for my NHS Health check I was informed that my Blood Pressure was high. As a result of this, it is going to have to be monitored. This is why we decided to cover this topic….
Please see Stress and Blood Pressure which includes:
- Introduction/Our Story
- YouTube Videos
- Illustrative examples
- Blood Pressure
- High Blood Pressure
- Natural Treatment for High Blood Pressure
- Hypertension
- Low Blood Pressure
- Treatment of Low Blood Pressure
- Useful links on Blood Pressure/High Blood Pressure
- Useful links on Low Blood Pressure
- Our Final Thoughts
© Copyright 2019 Grief Probate Journey Blog *PLEASE NOTE THIS INFORMATION IS SOURCED FROM UK and AMERICAN WEBSITES* It is also based on our own experience. *We are not experts in this field, we are speaking purely on our own experience with information sought from the internet to give further examples.*
1 Introduction/Our Story
This topic wasn’t planned, however, on a recent visit to the Doctors for my NHS Health check I was informed that my Blood Pressure was high. As a result of this, it is going to have to be monitored. This is why we decided to cover this topic.
It just so happens the day before my check, my sister had a Doctors appointment and her blood pressure is also high. Because of this, we wanted to highlight some of the effects that stress can have on the body.
I had previously suffered from high blood pressure many years ago. At that time it was due to my medical condition (Graves Disease). Which at that time led to me to suffer from Hyperthyroidism (Overactive thyroid). Since having had two operations for this condition, thankfully it is now stabilised and I now only suffer from Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid) I am on daily medication for this.
Please click the hyperlinks if you wish to find out more about Graves’s disease and Thyroids. We have also mentioned this as this was a condition that our Dad also suffered from. This was before he was hospitalised in September 2016. (He was on medication for it for a short while). Please now see Stress and Blood Pressure:
2. YouTube Videos
2.1 Understanding Blood Pressure (Subtitles) By British Heart Foundation
2.2 British Heart Foundation – How to measure your own blood pressure
2.3 What is Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)?
3. Illustrative examples
4. Blood Pressure
4.1 Blood Pressure
“Blood pressure is the pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. Most of this pressure is due to work done by the heart by pumping blood through the circulatory system. Used without further specification, “blood pressure” usually refers to the pressure in large arteries of the systemic circulation”. Wikipedia
4.2 What causes your blood pressure to suddenly get high?
Common causes of high blood pressure spikes
“These are some possible causes: Caffeine. Certain medications (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or combinations of medications. Chronic kidney disease”.
4.3 What is good blood pressure by age?
“What Should Blood Pressure be According to Age?”
| “Approx. Ideal BP According to Age Chart” | ||
| “Age” | “Female” | “Male” |
| 18 | 120/80 | 120/80 |
| 19-24 | 120/79 | 120/79 |
| 25-29 | 120/80 | 121/80 |
23 more rows (19 Nov 2017)”
23 more rows (19 Nov 2017)”
5. High Blood Pressure
5.1 Stress and High Blood Pressure: What’s the connection
“Your body produces a surge of hormones when you’re in a stressful situation. These hormones temporarily increase your blood pressure by causing your heart to beat faster and your blood vessels to narrow. But reacting to stress in unhealthy ways can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes”.
5.2 High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) NHS
“High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks”.
5.3 What are the early warning signs of high blood pressure?
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
- “Severe headache”.
- “Fatigue or confusion”.
- “Vision problems”.
- “Chest pain”.
- “Difficulty breathing”.
- “Irregular heartbeat”.
- “Blood in the urine”.
- “Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears”. (23 May 2018)
5.4 What is considered stroke level high blood pressure?
“A hypertensive crisis is a severe increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. Extremely high blood pressure — a top number (systolic pressure) of 180 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher or a bottom number (diastolic pressure) of 120 mm Hg or higher — can damage blood vessels”.
5.5 Can lack of sleep cause high blood pressure?
“Over time, a lack of sleep could hurt your body’s ability to regulate stress hormones, leading to high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea may be the cause, and it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, as well as heart problems and other health issues”.
6. Natural Treatment for High Blood Pressure
6.1 What is the best treatment for high blood pressure?
Here are 10 lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.
- “Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline”.
- “Exercise regularly”.
- “Eat a healthy diet”.
- “Reduce sodium in your diet”.
- “Limit the amount of alcohol you drink”.
- “Quit smoking”.
- “Cut back on caffeine”.
- “Reduce your stress”. More items…
6.2 How can I lower my blood pressure immediately?
Here are 17 effective ways to lower your blood pressure levels:
- “Increase activity and exercise more”.
- “Lose weight if you’re overweight”.
- “Cut back on sugar and refined carbohydrates”.
- “Eat more potassium and less sodium”.
- “Eat less processed food”.
- “Stop smoking”.
- “Reduce excess stress”.
- “Try meditation or yoga”.
More items… (24 Apr 2018)
6.3 What is the best drink for high blood pressure?
“Pomegranate Juice”
“Loaded with potassium and other heart-healthy nutrients, pomegranate juice has three times the antioxidant activity of green tea or red wine. It’s no surprise, then, that a 2017 review of clinically sound studies found that regularly drinking pomegranate juice can significantly reduce blood pressure”. (9 Aug 2018).
6.4 Can Apple cider vinegar lower blood pressure immediately?
“Take apple cider vinegar”.
“It also soothes sore throats, cures hiccups instantly, and lowers cholesterol. Easy fix: Three teaspoons per day of apple cider vinegar can lower your blood pressure significantly within a week”. (3 Dec 2014).
https://www.tribpub.com/gdpr/chicagotribune.com/
The message that appeared when I clicked on the above link “Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in most European countries. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to the EU market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism”.
6.5 Why does apple cider vinegar lower blood pressure?
“Taking apple cider vinegar everyday could lower your blood pressure, scientists have claimed. It works by reducing the activity of the kidney hormone ‘renin’. Renin is responsible for instructing blood vessels to constrict or dilate. Constricting blood vessels causes blood pressure to rise”. (8 Jun 2018).
6.6 Do bananas lower blood pressure?
“Studies have shown that daily banana consumption, can help lower blood pressure. One study in particular said just two bananas a day can reduce your blood pressure by 10 percent! Other potassium-rich foods include potatoes, dates, and avocados” (29 Apr 2014).
7. Hypertension
7.1 Hypertension
“Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure typically does not cause symptoms”.
“Complications: Coronary artery disease, stroke,”
“Other names: Arterial hypertension, high blood
“Diagnostic method: Resting blood pressure; 1”“Risk factors: Excess salt
7.2 What are the 4 stages of hypertension?
There are four stages of high blood pressure or hypertension:
- “STAGE 1 or Prehypertension is 120/80 to 139/89”.
- “STAGE 2 or Mild Hypertension is 140/90 to 159/99.”
- “STAGE 3 or Moderate Hypertension is 160/100 to 179/109”.
- “STAGE 4 or Severe Hypertension is 180/110 or higher”.
8. Low Blood Pressure
8.1 Low Blood Pressure – Hypotension
“Low blood pressure – sometimes referred to as hypotension – is a condition where the arterial blood pressure is abnormally low. Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood around your body”.
8.2 What can cause low blood pressure?
Medical conditions that can cause low blood pressure include:
- “Pregnancy”.
- “Heart problems”.
- “Endocrine problems”.
- “Dehydration”.
- “Blood loss”.
- “Severe infection” (septicemia).
- “Severe allergic reaction” (anaphylaxis).
- “Lack of nutrients in your diet”. (10 Mar 2018).
8.3 Does stress cause low blood pressure?
“If the measurement drops 30mmHg below the person’s usual blood pressure, this is considered to be hypotension. Low blood pressure has many different causes including: Emotional stress, fear, insecurity or pain (the most common causes of fainting) Dehydration, which reduces blood volume”. (30 Aug 2011).
8.4 Why do I have low blood pressure?
“Low blood pressure that causes an inadequate flow of blood to the body’s organs can cause strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure. The most severe form is shock. Common causes of low blood pressure include a reduced volume of blood, heart disease, and medications”.
8.5 How does low blood pressure make you feel?
“Low pressure alone, without symptoms or signs, usually is not unhealthy. The symptoms of low blood pressure include lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting. These symptoms are most prominent when individuals go from the lying or sitting position to the standing position (orthostatic hypotension)”.
8.6 Is it good to have low blood pressure?
“Some people have a blood pressure level that is lower than normal. In general this may be good news – because the lower your blood pressure is, the lower your risk of stroke or heart disease. However, in a few cases, having low blood pressure can cause problems, so you might need to speak to your doctor or nurse”.
8.7 What is a dangerously low blood pressure?
“In severe cases, low blood pressure can be life-threatening. A blood pressure reading lower than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for the top number (systolic) or 60 mm Hg for the bottom number (diastolic) is generally considered low blood pressure”. (10 Mar 2018).
8.8 Can low blood pressure make you tired and sleepy?
“But low blood pressure can sometimes make you feel tired or dizzy. In those cases, hypotension can be a sign of an underlying condition that should be treated”. (8 May 2019).
8.9 What causes low blood pressure in elderly?
“Postural hypotension, which is low blood pressure when standing up suddenly, can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons, such as dehydration, lack of food, or being overly fatigued. The elderly are particularly affected, especially those who have high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system dysfunction”. (3 Jul 2019).
9. Treatment for Low Blood Pressure
9.1 How can I raise my blood pressure instantly?
“Depending on the cause of your symptoms, your doctor may tell you to increase your blood pressure by making these simple changes”:
- “Eat a diet higher in salt”.
- “Drink lots of nonalcoholic fluids”.
- “Limit alcoholic beverages”.
- “Drink more fluids during hot weather and while sick with a viral illness, such as a cold or the flu”.
More items… (3 Jul 2019).
9.2 How do you fix low blood pressure?
Treatment
- “Use more salt. Experts usually recommend limiting salt in your diet because sodium can raise blood pressure, sometimes dramatically”.
- “Drink more water. Fluids increase blood volume and help prevent dehydration, both of which are important in treating hypotension”.
- “Wear compression stockings”.
- “Medications”. (10 Mar 2018).
9.3 What should we eat when BP is low?
“Doctor’s Response”
- “Low carbohydrate foods”.
- “Drinking lots of water”.
- “Foods high in vitamin B12 such as eggs, meat, milk products, fortified breakfast cereals, and some nutritional yeast products”.
- “Foods high in folate such as dark leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, eggs, dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, and grains”.
More items… (3 Apr 2019).
10. Useful Links on Blood Pressure/High Blood Pressure:
10.1 Blood Pressure
- What is Blood Pressure? – NHS “Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood around your body”.
- Blood Pressure UK “Blood Pressure UK is the only charity solely dedicated to lowering the nation’s blood pressure to prevent disability and death from stroke and heart disease”.
- Blood Pressure Readings Explained – Healthline “When your doctor takes your blood pressure, it’s expressed as a measurement with two numbers. But what does that mean?” (26 Jan 2018).
- What is a normal Blood Pressure Reading? | Beneden Health
10.2 High Blood Pressure
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) – British Heart Foundation “High blood pressure or hypertension is when your blood pressure is higher than the recommended level, and can increase your chance of having a heart attack”.
- High Blood Pressure: Causes, Symptoms, Medication, Diet “High blood pressure is often associated with few or no symptoms. Many people have it for years without knowing it”.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) NHS “Find everything you need to know about high blood pressure, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, with links to other useful resources”.
- High Blood Pressure | Health Information | Bupa UK
- High Blood Pressure – Hypertension – Smart Nutrition
- Stress and High Blood Pressure: What’s the Connection?
- 7 Ways to reduce Stress and keep Blood Pressure Down
- 6 Facts About High Blood Pressure – Discover Health
- Managing Stress to control High Blood Pressure | American Heart Association
11. Useful Links: Low Blood Pressure
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) – NHS “Low blood pressure is a reading of 90/60mmHg or less. It does not always cause symptoms, but you may need treatment if it does”.
- What is Low Blood Pressure? – Blood Pressure “Low blood pressure symptoms, causes & low blood pressure treatments from the UK Blood Pressure Charity”.
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): What are the Symptoms “Find out what causes low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, and what the symptoms and treatments for low blood pressure are”.
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) | Health Information | Bupa
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) – Illnesses & Conditions
- Low Blood Pressure: What is it? | Beneden Health
- Hypotension Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
- Living with Low Blood Pressure – Arrhythmia Alliance Group
12. Our Final Thoughts
In life, it is so easy to get caught up in achieving daily tasks and making sure our home life is in order. Being so busy means that it is easy to miss things and not even realise we are potentially overdoing it which in effect could be causing harm to our health.
Although easier said than done, taking time out for yourself every so often no matter how small the time might be, it could be extremely beneficial for health, both mentally and physically. This is something both my sister and I should be doing. Health is so important. If you feel healthy from within it makes such a positive difference to life.
Grief Probate Journey 
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