If you don't have it, you know someone who does.  And, I'm not talking about the U2's new album or a pre-order for the Apple 6.  It's about near epidemic that affects n

Over time this "high pressure" on your artery walls causes damage to the blood vessels and organs as well.  The higher the pressure and the longer it goes untreated, the more the damage.  Sometimes called the "silent killer" high blood pressure goes undetected because there are no symptoms.  

Fortunately, high blood pressure is easily detected, as it often is when we get the "cuff" at the doctor's office or use the machine next to the pharmacy at the local CVS.  Without treatment, high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack, stroke, aneurysm and a lot more.

There are many factors whose combined effect contribute to high blood pressure, referred to as multifactorial.  Not all are lifestyle-based, but most are.

• High salt intake or salt sensitivity.  This is often the elderly, African Americans, the obese or those with kidney problems.
   
• Genetic predisposition.  If you have one or two parents with hypertension, you have about twice the indicence of having high blood pressure as compared to the general population
   

• Stiffness or lack of elasticity in the arteries, from a particular abnormality. This stiffness develops in folks who are obese, lack exercise, have high salt intake, and are older.

 If, like me, you have no idea what the 110/70 means, I'll try to explain it.  The cuff or sphygmomanometer has an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff. We've all seen it.  With the cuff on the upper arm, the nurse or "heath care practitioner" pumps the little black ball and the cuff tightens, it literally stops the flow of blood from the main artery that travels through the arm.  A round metal disk (cold, if I recall) is put on the inner elbow and the pressure in the cuff is slowly released. The nurse is listening with her x-ray hearing via the stethoscope to the point when the pulse begins again.  This is the top number or systolic pressure.  At some point, as the pressure on the cuff is decreased, the pulsation stops and this is the diastolic pressure (bottom number).  If your numbers are above 140/90, you're considered to have high blood pressure.  The docs consider a pressure of around 110/70 to be ideal.  

There are ways to prevent high blood pressure.  If you have it, there are medications and lifestyle changes that can help bring it down. Specifically, the standard recommended Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is offered for hypertension management.  Medications are considered safe and have few side effects.  Blood pressure medicines work in different ways --some remove extra fluid and salt from the body, others slow down the heartbeat or relax and widen blood vessels.    

If your Food can go bad, it's good for you.  If it can't go bad, it's bad for you.  Originally pinned by  Michael Leaming, Ed.D. onto Fitness, Nutrition & Wellness