High blood pressure rate is one of the
most prevalent health problems affecting a large portion of the
American population, apart from the epidemic of obesity. According to
American Heart Association, high blood pressure rate affects one out of
every three Americans. Further, there are around 28 percent of
Americans suffering from prehypertension, characterized by blood
pressure between normal and elevated. Especially, those with a family
history of heart diseases are most likely to suffer from high blood
pressure.
The consequences of high blood pressure rate make
it more essential to monitor the conditions regularly. High blood
pressure would cause the heart to overwork itself to a point at which
serious damages may take place. There are instances where the heart
muscle thickens (called hypertrophy) and it functions abnormally.
Further the heart may also dilate and contract less forcefully (called
dilated cardiomyopathy). Moreover, high blood pressure conditions may
also lead to injury to the brain (stroke), the kidneys (nephropathy)
and the eyes (retinopathy), in some cases the delicate arteries are
damaged by the increased pressure.
Examining the blood
pressure rate would let you know about the status of your health and
how stressful is your life. In most cases the doctors check the blood
pressure to see how you are doing. Traditionally, the doctors use
sphygmomanometer to measure the blood pressure rate.
A
sphygmomanometer is cuffed on your arm and pumped up as it becomes
tighter and tighter. There is a pressure gauge attached to it which the
doctors and nurses use to determine the blood pressure readings.
However, the latest electronic blood pressure rate monitors are simple
and user-friendly. You have to just attach the cuff properly and push
the button. The rest of the work would be done by the machine.
The
figures appear on the LCD display which you can track to check your
blood pressure. This could be a great choice for the elderly people and
those who require monitoring their blood pressure regularly. The normal
blood pressure rate is 120/80 mm Hg. However, the most ideal blood
pressure rating is about 115/75 mm Hg.
In the recent times,
the medical establishments define the condition of “prehypertension” as
blood pressure between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg. Identifying
patients of prehypertension is more important as such people suffer
risk of developing high blood pressure. Adults with blood pressure rate
over 140/90 mm Hg suffer from hypertension and are highly vulnerable to
heart disease and stroke.
Those of you suffering from
conditions of high blood pressure must visit a doctor immediately and
start planning to manage their high blood pressure.