 |
Select From
|
 |
|
 |
|
Believe it or not you could be one of the 20% of the British population who suffers from high blood pressure.
"Nonsense" we hear you say, "I feel okay".
"Rubbish" we say, "You could have blood pressure and not even know it. And the first time you become aware of it is when you suffer a stroke or a heart attack".
So what do you do to check out whether or not your blood pressure is okay and what you can do to ensure it remains stable? Easy. The first thing you do it make an appointment with your GP or Practice Nurse. Anyone over 25 should be having their blood pressure checked at least every five years if not earlier. Women tend to have their blood pressure checked more regularly tha men do.
Medical scientists are still trying to work out what makes blood pressure go wrong. The heart has to work hard to push the blood round the body.
The amount of push being given with every beat of the heart determines the blood pressure. When blood pressure is tested the result is shown as two figures - 120/80. The highest figure (120) is when the heart contracts whilst the lower figure is the pressure between the heartbeats. Normal blood pressure is considered to be below 140/90. If the ratio is shown to be 160/100 or above this is considered too high and medical treatment may be needed. Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule as there is no definitive point between high and low pressure.
Many factors would be taken into account before any treatment is given. Age in particular plays an important part in determining a GP's decision to give treatment. A 75 year old with a blood pressure count of 160/100 is less likely to be given treatment than say a 35 year old with the same count.
The other end of the scale may also need treatment. This is termed hypertension with sysmptons such as dizziness, light-headedness or proneness to fainting when moving from a lying or sitting position to standing, particularly in a hot environment (eg sauna) orwhen emerging from a swimming pool.
Although low blood pressure is more common in the elderly it can occur in younger people. High or low blood pressure should always be checked out by a GP.
Whilst exercise such as a brisk walk, cycling, or swimming will cause the higher reading BP (systolic) to rise the lower BP (diastolic) remains the same at rest as in exercise. (Eg a rest reading of 120/80 after exercise could read 150-200/80-90). Once exercise has ceased blood pressure falls - often below normal levels - with the effect lasting up to several hours.
Regular exercising will, over time, help "loosen up" your blood levels thus lowering your resting BP. This is the reason why you feel relaxed after physical activity. Unfortunately resistance training doesn't appear to have the same effect that aerobic training does in helping control blood pressure. It seems that moderate aerobic exercise is better than high-intensity, strenuous types of exercise. Regular moderate exercise can help prevent and cure high blood pressure. Research has also shown that people with hypertension, doing moderate aerobic exercise, will experience a highly beneficial effect within the first few weeks. As with all exercise programmes, before commencing you should always consult your medical practitioner, especially if you suffer from hypertension.
One other point to note is that if you stop taking exercise your BP will return to its initial levels. Therefore to keep the effect of lowered BP levels you need to exercise moderately three to five times a week. Finally, to keep your blood pressure normal, you have to watch your weight, cut down on alcohol and salt as well as keeping active.
|
| |
| Back |
|
Author: Ann Brady
Copyright www.exercise.co.uk
2001
|
Copyright Exercise, Fitness & Leisure 2001
No information on this site can be used for commercial purposes without the prior approval
of E.F.L All rights reserved
www.exercise.co.uk is brought to you by the Sevens/Yasp
agency
|
|
|
| |
