Blood Pressure Awareness

Answer 1

Some system of monitoring blood pressure is critical to maintaining good health.

Blood pressure screening, even for people who do not have access to regular checkups from a doctor, is available for a very low cost, and in many cases, for free.

All across the country, there are health fairs sponsored through collaboration between community oriented companies, government agencies and healthcare providers. The cost for these is negligible, especially when the broad range of available health services is taken into consideration, and can even be obtained for no charge where cases of financial hardship are present.

Most chain grocery and drug stores offer free blood pressure monitoring machines.

Automatic, digital blood pressure monitoring devices that are accurate and simple to use are available for anyone who wishes to pay closer attention to blood pressure levels on a more frequent basis.

However monitoring is accomplished; there is one basic guideline that should be observed as closely as possible.

This would be a necessity to try and check blood pressure under conditions as similar as possible every time. Blood pressure can vary throughout the day. It will be higher after extended or intense physical activity, even though this has been shown over time have a positive effect of lowering blood pressure, and it will be higher if caffeine is consumed or cigarette usage is involved. Consumption of alcohol also seems to cause blood pressure to spike, as well as having a long-term effect.

Stress, high levels of anxiety and tension can also cause blood pressure to be elevated.

High levels of sodium in food are also a major contributing factor.

One of the most distressing aspects associated with high blood pressure is that it can be present for years without any apparent symptoms. When symptoms do eventually appear, blood pressure has reached a life-threatening stage. Dull headaches, a high incidence of nosebleeds, and dizzy spells mark this stage.

Current recommendations regarding ideal blood pressure levels suggest that anything below 120/80 is desirable. Levels of 120 139/80 89 are referred to as high normal or pre-hypertension. The range from 140 159/90 99 is considered stage I hypertension. Anything above 160/100 is stage II hypertension.