Lowering Your Blood Pressure: The Options

Can Low Blood Pressure Cause Depression?

A recent study about blood pressure from Norway made headlines this week. According to a study that evaluated health records from the last decade, there appears to be a connection between individuals who have low blood pressure and individuals who suffer from depression and anxiety.

Inconclusive Results

The researchers who conducted the study aren’t actually certain whether or not having low blood pressure makes individuals susceptible to anxiety and depression or whether or not having either of these conditions can result in low blood pressure. Further studies will be needed to discern any relationship between low blood pressure and depression and anxiety. At this point, the researchers aren’t saying that there is a causal relationship. It’s important to remember that low blood pressure can also have health consequences just like high blood pressure does, and in some cases is low blood pressure that can alert your physician to the presence of other problems such as heart disease.

Similar Symptoms

I can give you my personal take on low blood pressure. I have had low blood pressure at several different times over the last ten years. Both my mother and grandfather have suffered from low blood pressure, so I am convinced there is a genetic component to it as well. I haven’t suffered from depression, although having low blood pressure has made me very lethargic which might give the appearance that I am sitting around because I’m depressed. For me it seems like my low blood pressure isn’t related to depression, but low blood pressure is definitely energy-zapping.

Taking Action

Fortunately, there are some beneficial things that can improve low blood pressure such as vitamin B12 supplements. Some low blood pressure sufferers even receive vitamin B12 injections rather than taking vitamin B12 orally. It’s also important not to self-diagnose. If you suspect that you suffer from low blood pressure, have your blood pressure evaluated by your doctor.

Posted by Henry at 11:39 AM | Permalink

High Blood Pressure Medications and Diabetes

If you have high blood pressure and are concerned about the side effects of the medication you take, recent headlines will probably not calm your fears. New reports currently out have indicated that certain medications used to treat high blood pressure can actually increase the risk of diabetes.

To Take or Not To Take...

Whether or not you take high blood pressure medication becomes a risks-benefits analysis that your doctor has to make. Your doctor will consider many of the following questions. How dangerously high is your blood pressure? Did your high blood pressure not improve through diet and exercise alone? Have you not had success with other blood pressure medications?

Researchers investigated the side effects of popular blood pressure medications and published their results in The Lancet this month. Diuretics and beta blockers were the two categories of blood pressure medications that were shown to be linked with diabetes.

There are many other categories of blood pressure medications discussed in this article, so keep in mind there are other options that you can discuss with your doctor if you are concerned.

Playing it Safe

You will definitely need to check with your doctor if you want to change your blood pressure medication. Sometimes it is necessary to taper a medication rather than stopping it abruptly. When your doctor decides what blood pressure medication to prescribe to you, it is usual a risks-benefits analysis. The reason for this is because no medication comes without side effects. If you are already at an increased risk for diabetes due to a family history of the disease, then it might be necessary for you to avoid taking diuretics and beta blockers.

Not everyone will be impacted the same from taking high blood pressure medications shown to increase diabetes risk, so it’s definitely necessary to talk with your doctor before trying to make changes to your current medication schedule.

Posted by Henry at 10:37 PM | Permalink

What You Put on Your Salad CAN Affect Your Blood Pressure!

What if you can lower your blood pressure by making a simple dietary substitution every day? A new study shows that might, in fact, be possible. A study done at the University of Barcelona shows that olive oil can lower blood pressure.

Can't Argue With Evidence

The results of the study are pretty specific. Men who don’t eat a Mediterranean diet may benefit from consuming olive oil, which was shown to reduce systolic blood pressure. It is pretty easy to incorporate olive oil into your diet. Try adding a blend of olive oil and vinegar to your food instead of salad dressing. When you are baking a cake, you can use olive oil in place of corn oil in the same ratio that the recipe requires. These small substitutions might have a positive impact on your blood pressure.

Not All Olive Oil Is Alike

There are different types of olive oils. The study did not differentiate between whether different types of olive oil would affect blood pressure differently, but it’s unlikely that there would be a significant difference. Nevertheless, you might want to familiarize yourself with the different types of olive oil.

Green olives are used to make all olive oil. EVO stands for extra virgin olive oil, and this is the type of oil that is produced the first time olives are pressed. Virgin olive oil is made from olives that are riper than the olives used to make extra-virgin olive oil. Refined olive oil is made from virgin olive oil that is not up to par. Among culinary experts, extra-virgin olive oil is considered the best, but some people simply don’t like the taste that much. If you’ve avoided olive oil in the past, because you don’t like the taste, you might consider trying pure olive oil, which is made from the second pressing of olives.

Incorporating olive oil into your diet is certainly not a cure for high blood pressure, but if you have pre-hypertension you have nothing to lose by consuming more olive oil to see if it helps you. Since the study did not include women, there is no clear indication whether or not women would also experience lower blood pressure by consuming olive oil.

Posted by Henry at 9:23 PM | Permalink

Renovascular Hypertension is a Form of High Blood Pressure that Can Require Surgery

High blood pressure is a concern for many Americans even including children. The reason for high blood pressure varies by individual, and in some cases high blood pressure is beyond the control of the individual. Lifestyle factors such as a sedentary lifestyle or being overweight are causes of high blood pressure for many adults. However beyond lifestyle control, a condition called renovascular hypertension is a form of high blood pressure that results from kidney blood vessels that are too narrow.

Not Just For The Old

Michigan surgeons recently operated on children who have high blood pressure as the result of renovascular hypertension. Fortunately, 97% of the children who were operated on improved as the result of surgery.

A Hidden Threat

Many times renovascular hypertension is not detected right away or immediately suspected. For the children who received surgery, many had high blood pressure and were given medication. When the medication did not resolve their high blood pressure, doctors knew something else was wrong. The children who underwent surgery were also part of a study. The results of this study were published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery. Children with high blood pressure are just as much at risk for a stroke or other serious health complications as adults are. Controlling high blood pressure is important regardless of your age.

Whether you are a child or an adult, you can still be at risk for many complications. However in cases of high blood pressure caused by malformed kidney blood vessels, there is little to do to resolve the condition other than surgery. Many adults who suffer from high blood pressure can modify their diets, get more exercise, and lose weight for their high blood pressure to improve. Even medication is an option. With renovascular hypertension, high blood pressure mediation is usually not enough.

Hopefully the above information has demonstrated that high blood pressure isn’t always an adult’s disease.

Posted by Henry at 2:50 PM | Permalink

Do Cold Temperatures Pose a Health Risk for High Blood Pressure Sufferers?

It’s January and every high blood pressure sufferer should be aware of the fact that the cold weather can increase your risk of heart attack and strokes. Individuals who suffer from high blood pressure are at an increased risk during the summer months. I’m not relaying this information in order to worry or scare you, but it’s important to be as informed as possible when you suffer from high blood pressure.

C is For Cold, C is For Constricting

You might be wondering just exactly how cold weather can affect individuals with high blood pressure. Basically, exposure to cold weather can cause a person’s arteries to constrict. As a result, high blood pressure can result. During cold weather, individuals need more blood to maintain their body temperature which is what leads to an increase in blood pressure as your body tries to pump enough blood to keep you warm. The cold weather also causes your blood to thicken. This can be a disaster for someone with high blood pressure because you will experience increased clot formation which increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Limit Your Risk

If you suffer from high blood pressure, there are some things you can do. Limit your outdoor exposure during the winter months particularly when it is really cold. Pick indoor forms of physical activity. Joining a gym or local fitness facility can be a great way to make sure you get the exercise you need without being exposed to the cold unnecessarily. Many malls have programs early in the morning, and they accommodate individuals who want to walk. So head indoors to walk rather than outdoors during the winter months.

Dress warmly during the winter months when you are headed outdoors. High blood pressure sufferers will definitely benefit from a warm hat, scarf, and gloves. Keeping your head and hands warm can help your whole body stay warm, and this is incredibly important for high blood pressure sufferers.

Posted by Henry at 9:48 PM | Permalink

Watching For High Blood Pressure in Children

High blood pressure is a problem that affects many Americans. Studies are now showing that high blood pressure may be linked to an abnormally large heart. Specifically, people with hypertension are more likely to having a higher left ventricular wall. Younger patients also need to be on the lookout for heart abnormalities.

It's Not Just For The Aging

Recent studies indicate the frequency of heart abnormality is similar in young patients compared to the middle aged and elderly. The incidence of hypertension has increased in recent decades and that is not merely the result of more people seeking medical treatment for problems they may have which leads to increased diagnoses of high blood pressure.

A Change In the American Lifestyle

Americans are not as active as they once were. We used to spend more time outdoors and more time being physical active at our jobs. It used to be possible to walk to the grocery store because there was a corner store just down the block. Americans now spend more time sitting than ever before. Kids are less active too, and high blood pressure is a problem that is seen in children now too.

Making Changes For the Better

The fact that more children are suffering from high blood pressure really highlights the importance of making lifestyle and dietary changes. There are always a lot of arguments over whether or not heart disease and other serious health problems are the result of environment or genetics. The fact is that many families share the same dietary and lifestyle habits which can contribute to certain problems being more prevalent in certain families.

Staying On Top Of It

If you have children you should make sure their pediatrician takes a blood pressure reading at their next visit. Many pediatricians do monitor blood pressure in children by routine checks, but not all do. Make sure your pediatrician does. Remember treating high blood pressure is possible only if you have an accurate diagnosis, and intervening early can ward off lifelong illness.

Posted by Henry at 11:48 PM | Permalink

Is It Okay for High Blood Pressure Sufferers to Drink?

Individuals with high blood pressure are often instructed to abstain from consuming alcohol because alcohol can increase blood pressure. New research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that this advice might not be necessary for men who suffer from high blood pressure.

Moderation is Key

For men who drink alcohol in moderation, it might not even be necessary to abstain from drinking. The study has found that drinking alcohol in moderation will not increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Moderation can be defined differently depending on who you ask, but essentially one or two drinks a day was not shown to negatively affect men who have high blood pressure. This can be good news for male high blood pressure sufferers who also enjoy the occasional drink.

Not An All-Access Excuse

The study is certainly not a reason to begin drinking. If you don’t already drink or enjoy alcohol, it’s not a good idea to start. For those males with high blood pressure who have enjoyed a few drinks but have been forgoing them due to concern about being at an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, they will likely be glad to know that enjoying a few drinks won’t be detrimental. It’s always best to check with your doctor first so that he can advice you about whether or not you can safely consume alcohol moderately and whether or not it will interfere with the specific medication that you take.

Peer Pressure?

Most individuals who suffer from high blood pressure are adults, so they’ve reached a point in their lives where they know it is not necessary to drink to “fit in.” If, however, you feel compelled to “drink” in a social setting, you can always hold a drink and take a few sips to avoid having to respond to questions about why you aren’t drinking. The main concern is you do whatever is necessary and you are your doctor have discussed is important for keeping your high blood pressure under control.

Posted by Henry at 10:19 PM | Permalink