When is the last time your blood pressure was checked? What were your readings? This is a key question to answer and check frequently because your blood pressure is a very vital statistic that tells a great deal about your state of health or disease. Many people are unaware and uninformed about their blood pressure readings and the potential issues that high blood pressure can cause and contribute to.
“Our emotional, mental and physical well-being are directly linked to our blood pressure.” —Michael Morningstar
One of the most dangerous conditions that can wreck your health is ongoing high blood pressure. The goal of this blog is to offer education, information, and motivation to help you learn more about high blood pressure and how to avoid it or improve it naturally by applying simple steps to maintain a healthy and holistic lifestyle.
The Morningstar NEWS blog is passionate about helping you become more aware of the factors that are key to your happiness and health. During these crazy coronavirus conditions, it is more important than ever to monitor your biomarkers such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels to optimize your health and immune functions. Maintaining healthy blood pressure is one of the most important steps you can take to enhance your emotional, mental and physical well-being. High blood pressure can lead to cardiopulmonary disease, heart attacks, kidney disease, and strokes. So it is vital to maintain a healthy reading and monitor your blood pressure regularly. One of my aunts had high blood pressure which led to kidney disease and being put on dialysis. This contributed to a significant reduction in her quality and quantity of life.
Danger Zone – High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a warning sign that something is out of balance and out of line with a key system in our body. Just like the displays, gauges, and lights on the dashboard of a vehicle, high blood pressure is a warning sign you may be entering a danger zone and need to have your body checked out for potential life-altering and even life-threatening conditions. When our blood pressure is measured we receive two numbers referred to as Systolic pressure over Diastolic pressure. This tells us what our blood pressure is when the heart contracts and when it relaxes. When our blood pressure is too high it means the heart is working extra hard and something is out of normal range. Most doctors like to see a blood pressure reading of less than 120/ 80 when you are relaxed and at rest which is often referred to as normal blood pressure.
As your blood pressure increases beyond these numbers it indicates the cardiovascular system and heart is overstressed and overworking. Many factors can cause us to have a higher than normal blood pressure reading. It is when the blood pressure reading is higher than normal, even when you are not active or moving, can be a big cause for concern.
Doctors, researchers, and scientists believe that extended periods of high blood pressure readings can have long-lasting consequences and detrimental side effects. In other words, high blood pressure readings for extended periods can mean you are in a danger zone and at risk for serious disease and harm.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
Many contributing factors can cause high blood pressure or raise our blood pressure. Exercising and over-exertion are contributing factors to higher blood pressure. Many doctors and health experts feel that increasing our blood pressure and maintaining it for the duration of exercise is good for our cardiovascular system and heart. It is when our blood pressure gets too high during exercise, or stays high too long or is high when we are moving normally or sitting still that there is a significant concern. Our ability to adapt and adjust our blood pressure to our everyday demands is one of the keys to our long-term health and well-being.
Many contributing factors have been identified as causing and contributing to high blood pressure that we must be concerned about:
- Acidic beverages and foods have been linked to making blood less able to circulate easily.
- Alcohol consumption can contribute to HBP. Emotional issues can contribute to increased alcohol use. Measure your blood pressure before and after alcohol consumption to look for patterns.
- Animal fat excess consumption can contribute to clogged arteries and atherosclerosis.
- Dehydration causes the blood to be thicker and less fluid which can contribute to HBP.
- Diuretics like alcohol, caffeine, and drugs can cause thicker blood due to water loss and lead to HBP.
- Emotional issues can often lead to HBP.
- Excess table salt consumption is another common contributing factor.
- Fake, fast, and fried foods consumed too often have been linked to health issues like HBP and weight gain. Highly processed and refined fats and oils from canola, corn, cottonseed, peanuts, and soy can contribute to many health issues. Hydrogenated fats and trans fats listed in ingredients have been identified as a danger zone and warning sign.
- Inflammation from many sources can contribute to HBP.
- Lack of regular exercise can lead to many health issues and a greater risk for high blood pressure.
- Mineral deficiencies can lead to issues that may manifest as HBP. Magnesium, Selenium, and Zinc are just a few minerals many people are deficient in.
- Obesity and weight gain can lead to HBP.
- Plaque in the arteries can increase blood pressure due to reduced blood flow.
- Stress is a factor for many people contributing to HBP. Meditation has been found to help lower stress and blood pressure.
- Sugar consumption can make our blood flow more restricted and thicker, which can lead to HBP.
- Vascular issues and loss of vascular elasticity can cause your blood pressure to go up.
- Vitamin deficiencies may contribute to health issues and high blood pressure.
Effects of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (HBP) can have several harmful consequences and impacts on our health and well-being. HBP can cause or lead to:
- The heart working too hard and too long. This can cause the heart to become stressed and weakened. This may result in a heart attack.
- Dehydration and thicker blood restrict optimal blood circulation. This can lead to less energy and vitality. Over time it can contribute to disease and organ issues.
- Kidney damage can occur from HBP over time. Damaged and weak kidneys reduce our ability to excrete waste. Toxins and waste harm our health.
- Strokes can occur because of HBP and restricted blood flow. When our brain is not receiving sufficient blood and oxygen we can suffer severe issues like strokes.
Suggestions for Better Blood Pressure
There are many simple steps and suggestions to help reduce the contributing factors for high blood pressure and reduce it if you already have it:
- Alkaline beverages and foods can be helpful for our overall health and well-being.
- Acupressure and acupuncture can help with your emotional health and well-being.
- Avoid detrimental, fearful, and harmful influences like drama-filled shocking movies, news, people, and shows.
- Bicarbonate of Soda (baking soda) is used by many people to help with a healthy blood pH.
- Breath training can help reduce HBP associated with rapid and shallow breathing when people are stressed.
- Buy a blood pressure machine and learn how to use it properly and regularly. Journal your details on a calendar.
- Drink healthy beverages, liquids. and water to stay hydrated.
- Exercise consistently, regularly, and wisely.
- Healthy whole foods nutrition with abundant healthy fruits and vegetables can help our blood and body to stay healthy and our mind to be happy.
- Heart rate variability is good to measure and monitor also.
- Microbiome optimization is a great way to better blood pressure levels.
- Sun exposure can help with our emotional, mental, and physical health, as well as Vitamin D level and maybe even reduce HBP.
- Time in nature to rejuvenate, relax, and restore our emotional, mental and physical state is very helpful.
- If you are unable or unwilling to implement simple steps to reduce your blood pressure to a normal and safe range then you must find a coach, doctor, health professional, or specialist to help you to implement a health and lifestyle plan. As a last resort, you may need a prescription for exercise, medication, meditation, nutrition, or therapies to help.
Passion for People & Planet
The passion and purpose of Morningstar NEWS are to condense hundreds of hours of rewarding research down to two minutes of education, information, and inspiration. This blog shares some simple strategies to boost your emotional, mental, and physical well-being to help maintain normal blood pressure.
Next Morningstar NEWS blog
Danger Zone – High Blood Sugar – Causes, Effects and Suggestions
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